A Serpens shocker!! Sh2-64

[Tom Davis]

I decided to image Sh2-64 in Serpens because it looked interesting in the few images already out there. But when I processed the data I was shocked by the amount of dust in the region. So much so that it begins to obscure Sh2-64 itself! I was not expecting this. I am delighted to say the least because as you all know I love duty targets.

To gather data fast I used two scopes with two different cameras. This image is an Lum:OSC combination.

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astroimages-1_000082.htm

I also put an image of just the OSC data on the website as well.

Comments/criticisms?

Tom

[Alchemy]

superbly detailed, my personal taste would be for a little more contrast, a bit of an s curve in curves..... note i am looking at this on a very ordinary laptop screen so it might be just right on someone elses.

clive

[Tom Davis]

I hear ya. However, if I do that then I clip the black point on the right side of the image where there is much less dust. Challenging for sure.

Tom

[TrevorW]

Nice one Tom

very interesting area whats the vis mag of the main region

Cheers

[sjastro]

Very fine image Tom.

I can appreciate the difficulties in bringing out the dust without losing control over processing.

I have a similiar issues on a current image I am processing.

Regards

Steven

[gregbradley]

The dust buster strikes again!

Great image om and you've developed your own unique
imaging/processing style much like a musician develops
his unique style once past the "how to's" stage.

How are you finding the OSC for noise in dim dust areas?

Greg.

[AlexN]

Looks very nice indeed Tom.. Well done, and definitely looks tricky to process with dust for most of the frame with areas of no dust... getting the correct black point would be very hard..

Alex

[Tom Davis]

Thanks Greg. There is noise for sure but so far it doesn't seem too bad.

Tom

[gregbradley]

That's good Tom. There's always the blur tool or gaussian blur to help
or Noise Ninja is very helpful as well.

Greg.

[richardo]

This is simply superb Tom.
Don't touch it excellent processing!

Love the golden stars and the dust to the foreground seems to enhance the wonder of this object.
Always love the star spikes the ASA's puts out. I guess similar to an RC..
Fine and thin showing how well it's collimated and the fine optics.

Coupled with the TV 127 and ST11k mono & one shot..... man this is certainly a winning combo...

Many more please!

All the best
Rich

[prokyon]

Hi Tom,

wow, what a great pic! The clouds of dust look great.

cheers

werner

[Octane]

Tom,

All I can say is: WOW! One of the most interesting astrophotographs I have ever seen.

Agree with Rich, I love those diffraction spikes. They're so fine, and crisp.

Regards,
Humayun

[multiweb]

Yeah! Very nice :eyepop: Just great picture. Funny all this dark dust in front of the starfield background. Your scope must have excellent optics to capture all that faint stuff right next to those bright stars with such a high contrast. :thumbsup:

[atalas]

Great shot Tom! very different to anything I've ever seen....like a mist setteling in a forest. :thumbsup: