M20 and the Helix Nebula

[batema]

Hi,

I took these last night both through a my W/O Flt 110 and a Qhy-9 set at -20c. Guided with PHD and stacked and processed using DSS and Photoshop CS3.

M20 is 75 minutes of Luminance, 24 minutes each of RGB. It is probably a bit too colourfull I'm beginning to think. 5 Minute subs for Lum 1x1 and 3 min RGB 2x2.

Helix was 90 minutes of Luminance with 40 minutes of RGB. I am disappointed in this as I think when I started shooting Lum it was about 25 degrees above the eastern horizon and rose above the lights of the sunshine coast. When I boosted the Lum it looked like a grey through to black from bottom to top, almost like major vinyetting?spelling? I think it looks OK but I was hoping with the time to get a good start on this object. 10 minute subs on Lum and 5 minute subs on RGB

Any feedback welcome.

Thenks

Mark
Mark

[multiweb]

The helix has some real nice details and colors but not sure if you're using flats? That would improve your data 10 folds.

[batema]

I still have to work out how to take flats using the qhy-9. I'm looking forward to the qUEENSLAND aSTROFEST to learn a few things.

[Hagar]

Very nice images Mark, You need to get some flats working and maybe just drop the brightness a touch. Heleix is great with fine detail apparent into the core.
Well done.

[RobF]

Don't be too hard on yourself Mark. It takes me an hour just to get the RGB colour balance looking half decent sometimes :lol:

Flats are really important - if you figure it out you can give me lessons! I've got LRGB Helix data taken from dark skies but I'm still fiddling around trying to get decent flats to match the data 2 months after the event....:rolleyes:

Its all part of the fun we signed up for going CCD with a filterwheel though! There's definitely great resolution and colour in that data though.

[Bassnut]

The Helix aint half bad actually, nice neb extension there, did you apply flats?.

[batema]

I have a flat box but it has 8 x 9 volt little rice type bulbs but I do not have the ability to turn it down. I use the program that came with the Qhy-9 Ezycap but I cannot work out how to get histograms or whatever you are meant to do. i made the box from a tutorial using foam board and difuser type plastic but will have to get someone to show me how to do it.

Mark