Ngc6231

[telemarker]

Just for something different (and not dusty or wispy) here's NGC 6231, an open cluster near Zeta scorpii.

ED127 + ST-8300 , RGB with 36 min per filter using 3 min subs

Stacked in DSS, RGB channels registered in DSS. Channels combined, stretched and Shadow/Highlight in PS. Star colours enhanced and spikes added with Carboni's actions (cos I could) :nerd:

!00% crop also included.

[luigi]

Beautiful, like diamonds!
I see a purplish halo around many stars, I think Noel does have some actions to remove/reduce that, did you try?

[telemarker]

Thanks Luigi, the halos stem from the ED127 being a little off in focussing blue compared to the other colours. I should have done a more careful refocus after the R and G filters, also I used the action to increase star colour for the background stars which also contributed to it. I kinda like it, as it puts greater emphasis on the star cluster but that's just a personal preference. Thanks for your comments they are appreciated. :thumbsup:

[Ric]

Very nice Keith.

I always enjoy seeing a spectacular cluster. Your second image is a beauty.

[multiweb]

Little sparkly to my taste but a great field with beautiful colors. Well done. :thumbsup:

[telemarker]

Thanks Ric, as a cluster it's one I've known was there but always was imaging another target. Makes the effort worthwhile since it's such a handsome cluster. Thanks for looking (I envy your dark skies).



Software sparkles added to the mix. Sometimes I like em sometimes not. The 8300 gives a narrower field of view than of the QHY8 but it can deliver some great detail. Thanks for you comments Marc.

[Ric]

Hi Keith,

You would have enjoyed the Moon halo out here tonight, it's extending out over half of the sky. But the milky way is still shining through the wispy cloud.

Quite an amazing sight.

[telemarker]

The outlaws live on Norton Rd and I'm constantly amazed at the dark skies at their place. I really should take advantage of it sometime. Even just for some wide field shots. Hmmm, you have me thinking now......

[Ric]

Hi Keith

I just off Norton road as well so I know what you mean.

I'm often surprised that despite only being around 45km from the city centre I get almost zero sky glow.

The only time I see sky glow is on a cloudy night when the light reflects from the cloud and of course it really doesn't matter then.

Cheers