NGC 1365 revisited - plus 7 year comparison

[strongmanmike]

I had another look at my Fornax Galaxy Cluster image from January this year and I have reworked just the close ups of 1365 to show a little more detail and more vibrant colours

Favourite FOV (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/121328384/original)

Just the galaxy (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/121331531/original)

Took a while with reworked decon layers for not a huge change (just need better seeing and a bigger scope with more focal length :rolleyes:) but I was happy with the slight improvement :thumbsup:

Here is an interesting comparison (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/129072713/original)between three images I have taken over the course of 7 years, the two constants over this time were Astronomik filters and Astroart image capture and processing software (funnily enough, each image was published too).

Thanks for lookin...just keepin ma hand in :P

Mike

[Stevec35]

I'm always amazed at how much detail you get in a relatively small aperture Mike. A lovely NGC 1365.

Cheers

Steve

[desler]

That really is quite spectacular. I've just done a couple of shots of the galaxy cluster and know how small the galaxies are, You have done an amazing job. Thanks for sharing.

One question though. at -35 capture, do the darks make that much difference?


Darren

[peter_4059]

Amazing detail in NGC1365 Mike. Thanks for sharing.

Peter

[Bassnut]

Nicely balanced all round Mike, and more vibrant as you say. Its a pretty Galaxy to capture, one of my favourites and the detail here is exquisite.

[Doomsayer]

Certainly a benchmark image for a 6" and aesthetically 'just right'. I can sense the pain of 'imaging withdrawal' in the background there somewhere too.

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Steve, the seeing at my site is usually very average to poor but this night it was above average, in the end it comes down to smoke and mirror with our processing though, sometimes I feel like I am almost cheating. Decon layering is an art in itself and I never get it the same for two images, like a spag bol sauce, every one is different :lol:



Thanks Des

low temp darks make a difference..?..a topic of fierce debate. Owners of cameras that can't reach this temp will say it makes no difference and owners of cameras that can (and go even colder) will say it does make a difference :question: The few who have been lucky enough to be owners of both cameras reeeeally know...the science says it makes a difference.. so if you can, then you do it :D



No worries Peter, sorry it wasn't a new you bewt shot with the 12"F3.8 AG12 :P......(soon :sadeyes:)



...?...:eyepop:...wha tha? Right! it's coming, I know it :scared3:

Thaks Freddo You would know this one too as it was the subject of past banter over what is the ideal imaging scope :whistle: ...on ya mate :thumbsup: Looking forward to your bear hung next weekend? :D



Yeh a few pains, I have three images under construction (works in progress), waiting patiently......:rolleyes:

Thanks Guy :thumbsup:...this was taken with your camera too...you have no excuse huh? ;) :D

[kustard]

That's a lovely image :)

[mill]

That is one hell of a nice Sidonio there Mike, clear and sharp :eyepop:

[multiweb]

Great shot. :thumbsup: My favourite in Fornax. Always wanted to image that one but I need a lot more FL to get anything interesting on the CCD.

[strongmanmike]

This was taken at only 1300mm FL... :shrug: What about the C11 at Prime focus or even reduced?

Mike

[multiweb]

All my gear is around 600/650mm FL. The C11 is still a work in progress.

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Simon and Martin

Intersting to see the progress over 7 years too huh..? :)

Mike

[Hagar]

Very nice comparison Mike. Just shows you and your equipment have come a long way in a relatively short period. What will the next 10 years bring for us all?

[TrevorW]

Colourful to say the least, what was the total exposure times per image.
LRGB

[strongmanmike]

2003 image: 12" SCT @ F4 not 100% sure on exposure as I have lost my records, but around LRGB = 30 15 15 15min (I think..?)

2005 image: 12" SCT @ F6.7 LHaRGB = 160 20 20 20 20min

2010 image: 6" APO @ F7.5 LRGB = 200 30 30 30min

Mike

[John Hothersall]

You've been imaging a long time now and fascinating to see your skill improve and the last image is perfect so the AG12 will be in safe hands.

Just been on your pbase site and HiRes detail with the 6inch refractor is stunning and your M42 and Running Man colour and dust is stunning and the best I've seen.

John.

[Lester]

Love the comparison over the years Mike. Just hope you haven't hit the wall yet, although its hard to emagine a better image with the same equipment.

All the best and thanks for sharing your great images.

[strongmanmike]

Cheers boys, glad you found the rework and comparison a worthwhile quirk :thumbsup:

I can't really imagine hitting the wall with the Starfire, very little of my higher res work was done in excellent seeing in fact almost none of it was, so a better site would make a difference (thank god for processing) we can see what the best seeing did for Anthonys recent mind blowing Jupiter image, imagine deep sky imaging that night :eyepop:. My problem is having no observatory and with just 152mm of aperture and at F7.5 time is my killer, hence the impending 12" F3.8 :D.....:prey:

John you are too kind but I am glad you found some of my results worthy of such praise, thankyou very much, while I endure significant hardship to get my images I am blessed with some amazing equipment that..?.. just performs :thumbsup:...the AG12 has a big reputation to surpass. As far as improving skills over the years goes, did you see this comparison (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/125757864/original):eyepop:
Mike

[DavidU]

Fabulous work Mike, you have been at it for quite a while.I wish you an obs in a really dark site with bugger all jet stream.

[strongmanmike]

took my first green grainy tripod mounted 50mm lens film astrophoto in 1982 at age 15 :thumbsup:

Amen to that Dave...now, give me a birthday cake to cut and take me to the Trevi fountain :P