M78 to LDN1622 and Barnards Loop

[gregbradley]

This image is really one panel of a 4 panel mosaic I am in the process of assembling (already done 2 versions I am not 100% happy with!!).

M78 and LDN1622 with the brightest part of Barnards Loop sweeping through the scene.

I will probably image LDN1622 in a more close image if weather permits
as it seems to be quite an interesting object.

Taken at my dark site over the Christmas break. Approx. 4:20 hours.

FSQ106ED and reducer, Proline 16803, NJP mount. I blended in a TEC180 M78 image to enhance that area of the image.

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/131601524

Greg.

[OzRob]

Oh, that's nice.

[desler]

Wow! Simple as that!

Darren

[mill]

Looking good Greg cant wait for the end result :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Brilliant

[Stevec35]

Looks good Greg. There really is so much going on in this area.

Cheers

Steve

[Garyh]

Awesome Greg!
Even as it stands, just one panel it is composed so nicely! Like this even more than the M45 shot!
:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rob. Yes I thought it stood out as unusual and not an area often imaged.



Thanks Darren. Barnards Loops is quite a strong neb and that surprised me. I thought it was dim. I can see it visually at my dark site when I look carefully.



A bit of work for that. I have assembled 2 HaLRGB x 4 panel mosaics and they look quite good but ot good enough. I think I need to go back to RGB for all 4, then L for all 4 then Ha for all 4 and treat it like a HaLRGB with each layer mosaiced.



Thanks Trev!



Thanks Steve. Yes it a busy area. Surprising it hasn't been imaged more often. Its a bit like the Vela Supernova Remnant that way.



Thanks Gary. I like it too.

Greg.

[Doomsayer]

With the other panels this will be a jaw dropper. skytime will be the next challenge I guess.
guy

[Craig_L]

Great image Greg. Look forward to you completing the mosaic. Don't think I've ever seen it so detailed.

[Lester]

Fantastic Greg, thanks for the view.

[gregbradley]

Skytime around Sydney is rare. Luckily this was from my dark site observatory and I got 11 out of 12 clear nights. One panel of the mosaic per night with a bit extra done on the night before's panel when you look over the subs and reject some that need to be reshot.



Its quite a project, I am hoping once I get the exact right approach it will be a lot easier and set me up to be able to do mosaics on a regular basis.




You're welcome.

[strongmanmike]

This image has impact :thumbsup: Barnies Loop looks like it is a road coming in on the top left and snaking over a hill down in front of the view and exiting out the lower right, never seen this effect before, excellent. Grabing several objects in one go is advantagious too huh? Wide Field Wooseness rules sometimes ;)

The beauty of dark skies is that you can go deep in short exposures or deep and smooth in longer ones and with ease, this was my experience with my deep Cen A in fact with all the shots I have done from Wiruna (about 5) - dark skies rule for sure.

...did I mention I am envious, jealous, green eyed and covertous :sadeyes:

Mike

[Peter Ward]

Tip o' the hat there Greg. Eye candy for sure! :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Very true. It was nice to get so many clear nights after such a long time in Sydney with overcast skies.




Thanks very much Peter.

[Paul Haese]

Wow that is bright. Heaps of detail too. Saturation looks pretty good but I reckon you could drop the brightness using the darker setting in curves and the impact would be staggering. That cometary stuff would really jump out. I would also advise dropping the red down a lit in curves down too in the central portion. :)

Really nice data Greg.

[h0ughy]

I agree with Paul about it being a tad bright - and also Mike about the dark skies and covertous with the data and image. it is eye opening and a real treat. Thanks - there is so much happening there

[gregbradley]

Here is a slighty darker version with red pulled back.

There is a high dynamic range to this image where to the left and below LDN1622 is actually quite bright but the area to the right of M78 is very dark being mostly dusty areas. So an overall pleasing brightness is a bit tricky as too dark and you lose a lot of contrast for M78.


adjusted version:

http://upload.pbase.com/image/131901435


original version:

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/131601524


Greg.

[Rigel003]

That's just magnificent, Greg. Excellent composition with so much detail, colour vibrancy and interest everywhere. It makes that faint strand, Barnard's Loop, look like a main street in Las Vegas.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Graeme. Hehe, I like the Vegas look.:lol:

Greg.

[richardo]

Greg, this is a startling image for sure!
Definitely go with your second version here. The tone down now defines all the subtle areas of interest well and colour isn't as washed to these areas.

Great move to combine your previous image of M78, the detail and colour to it at this image size jumps off the page.

Just a great wide field!!

All the best
Rich

[marc4darkskies]

A lovely and very striking image Greg!! Oh what I could do with a completely dark sky!! <sigh>

Cheers, Marcus

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rich. OK 2nd version is it. Feedback helps refine what is the best balance to strike on an image. I find it helps me tune my processing as there is so much latitude with modern high powered processing.



Thanks Marcus. Yes clear nights sure have been rare lately.

[RobF]

Stunning and original FOV. Awesome, and thanks for showing.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rob!

Greg.

[multiweb]

Love it! Great field! :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Marc.


Greg.

[CoolhandJo]

Very nice indeed..

[gregbradley]

Thanks Dr Paul.

Greg.

[Hagar]

Very nice Greg. What a complex image. I assume you will reprosses this one a few times with some little difference showing up each time. I must try my FSQ with the reducer. It is just sitting waiting for me to use it.
Looks great. I can only imagine what the full mosaic will look like.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Dougie. Repros are always around the corner! Next step is to get the mosaic finished.

Greg.

[SkyViking]

Simply stunning and a very original composition. Can't wait for the other panels, that will be magnificent!

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rolf.

Greg.

[Fabiomax]

Just to write that is a great image! very very nice colours...!
Ciao,
Fabiomax

[gregbradley]

Thanks Fabiomax.

Greg.

[iceman]

Stunning image, Greg. Plenty to see there.

It's now IOTW (http://www.iceinspace.com.au).

[gregbradley]

Wow, that's great. Thanks Mike.

Greg.

[RobF]

Congrats on a well deserved IOTW Greg :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rob.:)

Greg

[atalas]

Fabulous image Greg!

[Leonardo70]

Greg, i see the adjusted version ... stunning... color and details are perfect for me.

One question, i also have a FSQ-106ED with reducer, the field for the 16803 with reducer is fully illuminated and flat ?

I dream about this combo on my best nights...

Ciao,
Leo

[gregbradley]

Thanks Louie and thanks for your tutorials.




Yes it is mostly.

Greg.

[Keshdogga]

This shot is purely amazing! Fantastic work Greg :thumbsup: Can't wait to see the whole thing when it's finished.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Casey.

It'll be quite a bit of work to process the mosaic but I am looking forward to the result. I have already done 2 versions of the mosaic but not happy enough with the results yet. A redo from the ground up is probably what I need to do.

Greg.