Orion & Running Man full field

[multiweb]

Here's my re-processed version of M42 and the running man from Wiruna.
Taken with QHY8 gain0 offset 60 at prime focus on Celestron 130 SLT. Guided with PHD on ED80/G11. Captured in Nebulosity 2.
Dark/Bias subtracted, flat applied in CCD Stack. Composite of 5x900s, 10x300s, 10x60s and 5x15s. Bit of noise reduction and compositing work in photoshop, mainly masks to reveal the different layers of brightness then shadow/highlight filter to accentuate the colors and tone down further the brightest parts. I found it very difficult to balance the colors and the difference in illumination from the core to the edges. Let me know what you think. Comments and processing tips most welcome. Slight amount of field rotation due to polar alignment on longer subs so don't look on the edges :)

Full frame available at: http://www.multiweb.com.au/astro/M42_f.jpg [2.5MB file]

[glenc]

That's a great image Marc!

[Lester]

Very nice image and to me looks to be well processed with a lot of detail from the bright to the very faint areas.

Well done Marc.

[acropolite]

That's a very nice image Marc. One of the best I've seen of M42 for a while. :thumbsup:

[iceman]

Yeh really nice, well done. How come there's double-diffraction spikes though?

[multiweb]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I still have more data to add to it in particular around the whole outside of the two DSOs. There's a lot of dark brown stuff going on in there but I still need to process it.



Thanks Mike. Yeah I'm not sure. It also has a rainbow on the spikes. Could it be a double reflection somewhere? Maybe they're not aligned because of some misalignment? I'm sure one of the experts on the forum will pitch in.
Personally I think it might be field rotation between the different exposures.

[Matty P]

A fantastic result Marc. You have done a great job with blending the different layers together. Lots of detail and very nice colour. :)

I had a go myself at imaging M42 using different expsoures and I found it quite difficult to get the right balance between getting the correct colour and trying to bring out the detail in the different layers. Looking at your image, I think you have done a great job with it.

Very well done. :thumbsup:

[Astrod00d]

That's a great result Marc, blending the different exposures is not easy and you've done a good job. You've got some great data there. I'm looking forward to seeing the result when you add the extra data for the outer detail and the 'dark brown stuff'. The QHY8 is a winner.

Cheers,

Rob

[Ric]

Lovely result Marc, it's always great to see Orion on it's way back.

Cheers

[RB]

Marc that's beautiful.
The full frame is gorgeous and the detail and tonal range is just great.

Well done !

[multiweb]

Thanks Matt. Yeah tuning down the bright parts makes them grey. It's not as easy as I first thought blending the all thing together. Glad you like it.


Thanks Rob. I'm looking forward to see yours when you post it. Should be much closer to the core.


Thanks Rob. It's one of my favourite targets. It's the first good picture I got of it.


Thanks Andrew. Stars are still a bit harsh to my liking but next version with more data should be nicer. I missed that when I used the shadow/highlight tool.

[stevenc77]

Spectacular! I'm sensing a 3d feel to this image, well done!:D

[multiweb]

Here's my final version with all the data included.
I added 10x300s + 10x600s . Stars and colours are softer, overall picture is not as harsh. I like this one much better.

New full frame is at http://www.multiweb.com.au/astro/M42_sft.jpg

[Matty P]

The final version with all the data is fantastic.

The extra data has really smoothed out the image out without loosing any detail.

Very nice. :D

[RB]

Marc, I agree with Matty, the extra data has smoothed out the image more.

[Alchemy]

nice and smooth marc

the double spikes could be due to the spider vanes being ever so slightly bent, i had this happen to mine a while back, it takes only the tiniest amount to do it.

if you had shot it over 2 nights i would suspect the camera rotated slightly between the exposures.

[multiweb]

Thanks guys. I like it much better when it's smooth too. Glad you like it.


Glad you like it. My spider vanes are not exactly square and they're a bit twisted and bent too. Makes sense. I never thought about that one. I'll have to look into it. Thanks Clive.

[Tamtarn]

You QHY8 guys are sure producing some great images. Mega data there Marc and very well processed.

[multiweb]

Thanks guys. Glad you liked it.

[Jeffkop]

Just came across your image Marc .. thats one awesome image ... you dont see many as good as that !!!!!

[multiweb]

Tanks Jeff. Much appreciated. :thumbsup:

[Jen]

:eyepop: Awsome pic cheers :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Thanks for the good feedback Jen. Glad you liked it.

[Astrod00d]

That's a great image Marc, the field is just about perfect, lots of depth. I think the diffraction spikes look good :D You've done a great job handling the dynamic range, it's a thrill to see those streams of brown dust running from top to bottom. This'll be a hard act to follow:lol:

Cheers,

Rob

[multiweb]

Thanks Rob. :thumbsup: