Cederblad 90

[jase]

Hi All,
First image for 2009 and something that I’ve been working on for a while. Not that we are talking mega data, but had some issue with what was acquired. So it took time to bring it together and produce what I’d deem as an “acceptable” result. The target has been on my imaging list for sometime after targeting the Seagull nebula (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=130&fld_album_id=11) region a while back with the FSQ, so here’s is my rendition of Cederblad 90 (Gum 3) (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=171&fld_album_id=11).

About the target:
Located along the wing tip of the Seagull Nebula (IC2177) is Cederblad 90 (aka Gum 3, Ced90). The nebula consists of both emission and reflection properties. The vibrant hydrogen alpha atoms mix with dust particles reflected by the bright star SAO 152349 produce a pink hue with delicate traces of blue nebulosity.

About the image:
This image is an [Ha+L]+[Ha+R]GB composite consisting of 8.7 hours (Ha:120m;L:165m;RGB:80m respectively). The data was acquired from multiple instruments as I simply couldn’t get it right with one – stupid I know, but I got impatient to wait it out. All data acquired on LightBuckets imaging rigs. Base luminance and Ha was acquired using 20” RC in Mayhill, US. I attempted to collect RGB data from this instrument but found the RGB data to be sub optimal. So, I collected the RGB data from the 14.5” RC in Pingelly, AU. Finally, I wasn’t happy with the nebulosity structure to the right of Ced90 so acquired specific data for the area using the 24” RC in Rodeo, US. Even then the structure is rather ill defined – seems to be difficult to obtain. The RGB data from Pingelly didn’t guide too well, but being chrominance information, I wasn’t really bothered by this…was also binned which minimized the impact. Threw out quite a few subs on this one due to seeing. This was rather frustrating to say the least. Processed with CCDStack and PS CS4. Quick note on what was done…Luminance and Ha was blended using lighten mode. Have to say I’m enjoying what CS4 provides such as adjustment layers on masks and other cool stuff – feels like being a kid again with so much to learn with this tool. Ha data was also blended into Red channel. All incorporated into PS where most of the work was done. Colour balance tweaks and HPF etc. The weighting of the Ha+R was perhaps a little too high so I created a straight RGB and layered this over the top as a colour blend. This allowed the faint blue wisps of reflection nebulosity to come back through. To “pep up” the colours I used a heavily DDP stretched and saturated RGB layer which was incorporated as a softlight blend. Needed to tone it down a little so just adjusted the opacity. No much else to add other than I could have been a little harder on the noise reduction, but I don’t like the native tools in PS for this…need to buy the 64bit NeatImage PS plug-in soon - the fun never stops!

Anyway, I hope you like it.

Cheers :)

[Octane]

Jase,

Stunning. Just stunning.

Thanks for the processing information, too.

Regards,
Humayun

[renormalised]

Nice shot, Jase...really nice colour and composition. Only one thing...you must be spending a heap on the remote scopes!!!. Not cheap to take long exposure piccies like that!!!:eyepop::D

[Alchemy]

very nice jase,

id like to critique it , but its got all the goodies- round stars , nice color, not burnt out, nice framing and a rarely shot area

cheers clive

[jase]

Thanks Humayun. Pleased you liked it.:thumbsup:



Thanks Renormalised... Um yes, I spend a "little" :whistle:... probably could have purchased by own RCOS 14.5" RC by now :D, but that's not the point. Using rental scopes delivers extreme flexibility as can be seen from this image considering I utilised three different high end scopes to deliver the result. If you want to nail a target at a specific focal length, you can. Plenty of instruments at your disposal that will deliver quality data (in most cases). Thats what you're paying for...
Thanks again.:)



Thanks Clive. Haven't seen you around lately. Feel free to critique away. I certainly don't consider the image as one of my best, but I do like it...if I say so myself. Hey, that's the important thing right?...If I didn't think it was worthy to post, I wouldn't have done it in the first place. ;) Hope to see some of your work again.

[spearo]

Nice image Jase as usual.
question: using different instruments, wouldn't that give subs with the target at slightly different scale (for example, exagerating the point something shot with my c9.25 and the c14 will vary because of the different focal lenghts.)
Did you have to rescale he images to stack them?
if so how do you do that (i've often wondered how to do it to achieve a perfect match) ?
frank

[atalas]

Nice work Jase!

[jase]

Thanks Frank!:) Yes, you're right, different instruments produce different image scales. Though we are not talking about a huge difference. Matching data say 500mm with 3000mm becomes a challenge. It can be done, but takes some work. To answer your question, its software that works its wonders. Registar is probably the easiest to use and pretty much designed to align subs as best a possible, but I'm progressively not using this considering the the software doesn't output 32bit floating format. Will read it, but doesn't write it. Not a problem if you're working in the 16bit space already, but I wouldn't trust Registar to scale an image from 32bit to 16bit. I have no idea what type of scaling it is doing. Many software packages will do the scaling. In this instance I used CCDStack and resized the images so they are where close, then used the CCDIS/P plugin. The initial resize is generally not needed, but I do it anyway. Consequently I note that a new version of the plugin for CCDStack was released yesterday. 2.15 if I recall correctly. In short the rescaling of images is no different from when you need to upscale 2x2 (binned) RGB data to match that of 1x1 luminance. You simply need a software package such a Registar, CCDStack, MaximDL etc. (there are heaps) to do a star matching algorithm to scale the images. Hope this explains a few things. Tip, scaling works exceptionally well if you are down scaling a luminance...say to match a wide field image. I would only recommend upscaling RGB. Luminance upscaling typically results in a loss of resolution. This doesn't matter for RGB as its not the resolution you're after but the chrominance information to match against the high resolution luminance.



Cheers Louie:)

[spearo]

Thanks Jase
all makes sense now
cheers
frank

[Hagar]

Really a pleasing image Jase. A lot to take in while looking at this. I particularly like the way the reflection nebula (Blue) shows through in the areas devoid of Ha.
Very Very nice.

[strongmanmike]

Nice job Jase

A really nice mix in there and once again no over smoothed plastic look, nice...I see some noise in there too even :eyepop:...Ooooh I'm excited :thumbsup:

The brightest nebulosity on the left looks like an ear :)

very interesting field

Mike

[richardo]

This is a gorgeous image and object/s Jase.
Very nicely processed and as Mike said, I like mine a little on the crunchy side as well.

Can't say I've seen this particular object imaged much before.
Great, always good to see different stuff from the norm.

I always looked at the gum neb and passed it over for something more in my smaller fov range, never thinking to have a look to see what's within.

Excellent start to the New Year.

Look forward to your images as the year wears on.

All the best
Rich

[multiweb]

Great processing Jase. Colors are amazing. Top work. :thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

That's a field I haven't seen before! Very nicely done Jase - :thumbsup::thumbsup: - a lovely image and well worth the effort you went to by the looks!!

Cheers, Marcus

[iceman]

A very interesting region of sky and very nicely presented, Jase.

Lovely work as usual.

[Ric]

A wonderful image Jase, fine work indeed.

I really enjoyed looking at those wispy blue filaments working their way through the pink of the nebula.

Cheers

[jase]

Cheers Doug. I agree, its certainly an interesting target. Rather contrasting with the traditional Ha to the right of the image, then that mix with the reflected dust particles. Thanks for your comments.:)



Thanks Mike. :) Yes, didn't do a great job with the noise. As I indicated in the initial post, I'm not very effective with the native PS noise reduction. Don't really like using it too much....even with inverted masks being applied. Just doesn't seem to be as effect as something like NeatImage etc. Never thought of it like an ear! Thanks again!



Cheers Rich. Given you like your reflection nebs, I though this one may appeal to you. Not a true reflection neb by nature, but has some subtle characteristics. Yes, this target hasn't been acquired by many. The Gum nebs really are a treat to image. Kind of like the sharpless catalogue... I've got a few more images on the go. Just need time to process them and/or collect more data if necessary. Pleased you liked it mate.:)



Thanks Marc. The colours are rather striking with the reflected dust. I was intrigued by this target from the FSQ wide field image so always good to go over what you've done previously to see if there is somthing of interest.



Cheers Marcus. Perhaps a nice target for the TOA of yours!?! Its certainly a fun image to process and bring out the Ha regions and manage the reflection nebulosity as the same time. Just took a little effort to put this one together. I certainly didn't intend to use three scopes, would have been happy with just the one, but the flexibility is there so took it to my advantage. Thanks again.



Thanks Mike. May consider the Seagull's head at some stage as it contains similar attributes with emission and reflection nebulosity. Maybe next year...



Cheers Ric. Agree, the reflection nebulosity adds that extra dimension.

=====
Thanks again all for your comments and continued support.:)

[Garyh]

Very nice composition Jase! like always framed for perfection..
Have never seen the seagulls wing tip look so nice!
:thumbsup:
Gary

[JohnG]

Nice one, Jase :thumbsup:

Don't think I would like this S**t Hawk fighting over a chip :D.

Cheers

[jase]

Cheers Gary. :) There are some lovely targets in this area. I'll be certain to revisit in due time. Thanks again.



Thanks John. I'm pleased to say the only brown photons collected was that of cosmic dust.:lol: Cheers mate.

==
Thanks all.:D

[Dennis]

Hi Jase

First of all, that is quite an impressive array of equipment used to gather the data for this beauty; I bet it was a logistic challenge in itself. Well done for pulling it off so effectively to produce yet another Jase masterpiece.

I actually “saw” this region the other night when poking around the area, using The Sky and Sky Tools – now I know what it really looks like.

A beautiful composition with gorgeous colours and to my eyes, it looks technically perfect – top job and thanks for bringing these delights to our eyes. I consider it money and time well spent in pursuing one’s passion, especially since you are so good at it and document your thoughts, approach and processes so comprehensively each time.

Cheers

Dennis

[jase]

Cheers Dennis.
This was one of those images that I wanted to get the task done. Different instruments with different focal lengths and off-axis guider distances took some planning (along with minor failures along the way). So in some ways I pulled out all stops to get there. Seems gone are the days that I ask myself...hmm what will I take an image of tonight... Perhaps I should get back into that mind set as it is fun, but most if not all of the recent images have taken considerable planning. I guess, when there's costs involved, it forces you to plan for a successful acquisition. Mistakes are literally costly with rental scopes. As methodical and mundane some may see it, the time spent planning and discipline pays off in delivering exceptional results. Thanks for your comments. I take great pleasure in reading your descriptive responses.