The Pleiades from Wiruna

[Astrod00d]

Hi All,

In between imaging the HH and Rosette on Sunday night, I grabbed 10x300s subs of M45. The attached image is a stack of the best 9 frames for a total of 45m exposure time.

Only half of M45 fits onto the sensor - M45 is a good candidate for a mosaic next new moon!

Post-processing was in PS, using curves I've tried to bring out the faint nebulosity while not overcooking the stars. Last time I attempted M45 all I got was bright halos around the stars - fixed this time around.

More subs would improve the result for sure... but is there a trick I can use to reduce the background noise in this image while preserving the faint detail? Or have I pushed it as far as it'll go? :)

127mm North Group APO
EQ6 guided using PHD and EQMOD
QHY8, gain 1, offset 58
9x300s subs
Flats and bias applied in DSS
Post processing PS CS3


Cheers,

Rob

[h0ughy]

the detail is pretty good, great to see what the scope can achieve.

[multiweb]

Pretty cool. You've got stacks of nebulosity on that one. The framing's spot on too. :thumbsup:

[seeker372011]

lovely shot...with this summer object, I found noise goes hand in hand with long exposure for a DSLR.... just surprised to see noise raise its ugly head with a Qhy8 and that too for only 5 minute subs

[tornado33]

Yep thats a lovely deep shot.
Scott

[gregbradley]

Thats a great image for 45 minutes.

Try Noise Ninja it does wonders.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Great shot Rob :thumbsup:

...so, was Wiruna clear last weekend or something..:doh::doh::doh::doh:

Mike

[Garyh]

Very nice M45 Rob! Beautiful wispy detail showing!
Good work!

[Astrod00d]

Thanks Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing your results when you get the chance. Sorry I missed you at Lostock.


Came out better than I expected. Must put more time into it next new moon...


Thanks Narayan, that's because I got greedy and stretched it too much :) The wispy stuff was way down within a few ADU of black level. I'll try longer subs next time, should result in better S/N if I can control the stars...


Thanks!


Thanks for the info! Do you use the standalone version or the PS plug-in?


Nah... We're just saying that to annoy you! :lol:
Seriously though, you woulda just loved Sunday night. Crisp, clear and steady.


Thanks Gary, I was surprised by the detail particularly for only 45 minutes exposure. Now I'm all fired-up and I wanna put several hours into M45 next new moon!

Cheers,

Rob

[leon]

Very nice Rob, that is one of the objects I will never be able to image unless I move the shed. :whistle: well done

Leon :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Hi Rob,

I use the Photoshop plug in. I use 2 main plug ins Noise Ninja and Gradient Xterminator.

Even though I image at a dark site with virtually zero light pollution I sometimes still see gradients. I take it these come from some effect from the filters sometimes.

Steven also has a technique for reducing colour noise without reducing detail on his site. I have used that as well.

But Noise Ninja is pretty hard to beat and simple to use. There will be some slight smoothing though but its a small compromise.

Greg

[jase]

Great work Rob. You've accentuated the wispy nebulosity exceptionally well. Look forward to seeing more.

[Matty P]

Lovely M45 Rob. You have brought out the faint blue nebulosity really well.

Great work. :)