The Spider's Web ... and SN 1987a ... and the Spider's Heart

[marc4darkskies]

Here is my finished version of the Tarantula region.

Small:
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132212262/large

Large: (Use 50% in your browser to view most of the image on the screen. Otherwise, go for a swim!!)
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132212262/original

Hope you like it!

Since this is a complete re-do of my first ever astoimage, I've attached below the before (left) and after crops to show what a few years of practise (and much more data) can do.

Cheers, Marcus

EDIT 3/2/11:
=========
I thought it might be fun to find supernova SN 1987a in amongst all the nebulosity. Here's the result. A mere 900% enlargement!! A bit extreme of course, and forgive the resultant artefacts, but at least you can see the colour of the expanding shell! The field of view is a tiny 3.9 x 2.7 arcmins. BTW, I only did some curves processing - no sharpening at all.

Small:
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132258981/large

Large: (Next to a full res crop of my 30 Doradus image)
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132258981/original

Not quite a Hubble image (!) :lol: but, like I said, a bit of fun!

EDIT 11/2/11:
=========
I've now done a 200% enlargement of the spider and did a bit of curves processing plus a little decon. It's a very interesting though rather chaotic place.

The Spider's Heart: http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132449185/large (http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132449185/large)

[Octane]

Marc,

Wow, what a tangled mess!

You gotta be happy with that. There's a real sense of depth to that image.

Fabulous work.

H

[strongmanmike]

Excellent Marcus, extensive nebulosity and lots to see, rather dramatic too. Strong rather uniform pink-magenta but looks good I recon. Another example of why medium focal length rules :thumbsup:..and why 6" is really all you need to saitisfy :P

The improvement since 06 (?) is rather evident.

Mike

Ed. Many say that it is the equipment that counts (not being rude this time) but your comparison clearly shows what the same equipment can do in the hands of people with varying processing skills - in this case old Marcus and new Marcus ;).

[Peter Ward]

I can always make a few trivial technical quibbles...eg Cindy Crawford has a mole....but a pretty picture none the less :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Beautiful piece of work Marcus.
Doug

[h0ughy]

almost brings one to tears;
the difference of a few years,
shining out for all to leer,
once Sidonioed, is never feared!!!

LOL its poetry in motion Marcus!

[multiweb]

Beautiful details. That is one very deep picture. The dynamic range is very well handled. :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Brilliant Marcus. Another truly superb image.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers H! Yes, the deeper you go the more "messy" it looks - but it's a huge neb so I guess you could expect that!



Thanks Mike! I was trying for drama so I guess it worked! :) It is gratifying to see your skills develop.

Equipment DOES count! (?) I agree that without learning the skills, it won't yield good images though. IMO, good equipment will help you to develop your skills - that's why I bought Tak gear in '06



Cheers Peter! As long as it's only a mole, that's OK. But please tell me if you see wart!



Thanks Doug!



Thanks Shakespeare :lol: - appreciate that! (but don't give up your day job ;))



Thanks Marc. Yep, 30 min Ha subs will take you deep alright. I'll be honest though, this was pretty easy to process - only took me a day and a half!! ;)

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks a lot Greg!

[batema]

That is beautiful. Did you add more data to the image or is it the same amount of data just with better processing skills. I wish I could do that.

Mark

[Garyh]

Very nice and colorful Marcus! I really like the depth you have captured...what a difference those processing skills can bring out...
Much different than the usual spider..I like it!

[spearo]

Love the pre and post!
well done
frank

[richardo]

Wow, love the large version Marcus!
Once it loads, it takes on its name sake.... you feel like your caught in a huge web...:eyepop:
Love all the young globular and open clusters in this object and you've resolved them extremely well!!:thumbsup:

Ok, now just remember I'm Mr Pastel oK... I feel it just could be a little over saturated for my taste... but then, that's just me;)
Great work Marcus, love this object and this is a real treat:thumbsup:

All the best
Rich

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Mark. No, the original data was not useable. This is a complete re-do with vastly more data and processing skills



Thanks a lot Gary! It is different, but that's what I strive for - to make a uniquely beautiful image. Most other deep renditions are done in NB ... because some folks like garish psychadelic colours (?) (:shrug:;)). I just like garish saturated colours! :D



Cheers Frank!



Thanks a lot Rich - glad you liked it! Call me Mr Saturation I guess - no probs at all! :D The less saturated version lacked drama and vibrance. Even Mr Sidonio is catching the saturation bug - check out his APOD winning Seagull! Anyway, the universe needs balance so let's just say that we balance each other out! :P:)

[Stevec35]

I'm late in chiming in but this is a terrific piece of work Marcus. I think you have the colour saturation just about right but then I like saturated images too.

Cheers

Steve

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Steve - I'm glad you liked it! Yes, any less saturation and it starts to look washed out IMO.

[samos]

Wow, simply incredible. What telescope and camera did you use? Those shots are amazing. I thought any images taken off a camera through a telescope would be relatively blurry, and lacking detail. This is definitely not the case.

I think the impulse buyer in me... may... just.. want one.

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Samos. I take it you're just starting out in the hobby? :) You can see the equipment I use underneath the PBase image or in my signature.

Many people will undoubtedly give you the same advice when you're first starting out; take your time, do your research and set your goals before you go spending mega-bucks. That pair of binoculars is an excellent first step! :thumbsup: Astro-photography requires passion and committment and if my image has contributed to yours in some small way, I'm chuffed! :)

[alexch]

Another sublime image, Marcus!
The whisps of nebulosity are superb, but my favourite in the large version are the tiny stars that look like rose gold sand sprinkled with platinum. A true treat!

Thanks for sharing,
Alex

[samos]

Just had a look at your website, some of those shots are amazing. I'm considering printing some off and using them as a poster.

Speaking of which, anyone have any good sites for astronomy wall papers? NASA had a section with amazing pictures, I can't seem to find them.

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Alex! Glad you enjoyed it! :) And I confess, unlike some others on IIS (who shall remain nameless ;)), I like seeing the stars ... especially when they're so colourful!



:lol: I'm flattered Samos - thanks! As long as I don't see them reproduced elsewhere or for sale somewhere (they are copyright you know!), you can print them for your own personal enjoyment.

[marc4darkskies]

I thought it might be fun to find supernova SN 1987a in amongst all the nebulosity. Here's the result. A mere 900% enlargement!! A bit extreme of course, and forgive the resultant artefacts, but at least you can see the colour of the expanding shell! The field of view is a tiny 3.9 x 2.7 arcmins. BTW, I only did some curves processing - no sharpening at all.

Small:
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132258981/large

Large: (Next to a full res crop of my 30 Doradus image)
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132258981/original

Not quite a Hubble image (!) :lol: but, like I said, a bit of fun!

Cheers, Marcus

[RobF]

Wonderful reprocessing. Inspiring stuff Marcus.

[mill]

That has a truly deep 3D feeling and looks splendid :thumbsup:
Yes a couple of years of learning to process does wonders :cool:

[samos]

Absolutely, just for my bedroom walls!

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks a lot Rob!



Thanks Martin! Practice makes perfect ... errr ... better! :D

I think I'm finished tweaking this image for now. Along with my forensic exposition of the remnant of SN1987a, there have been some subtle changes since posting. I just finished tightening up the core a wee bit.

[John Hothersall]

That is splendid with all those twists and turns in the gas with millions of tiny colourful stars and great fun to find the tiny SN reminant.

John.

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks a lot John! Yes, I'm pretty happy with the image now - and it's a nice one to swim around!

[strongmanmike]

Excellent Marcus, great zoom in, I like it :thumbsup:

If I squint and sit back from the screen a little I recon I can make out the two expanding rings, very cool :)

Mike

[iceman]

Stunning image Marcus, I really enjoyed this one.

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

Cheers

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks a lot Mike! Much appreciated! :thumbsup:

[SMan]

WOW! Marcus, that is stunning.
Congrats on IOTW.

Cheers,
Henryk.

[marc4darkskies]

Hehehe ... thought you'd like the mega-zoom! Not tooo sure about seeing two rings though - maybe I need a drink or two ;)



Thanks Henryk - glad you liked it. It's aways an honour to get IOTW!:cool:

[telecasterguru]

Fabulous.

[DavidU]

Just awesome.

[AdamJL]

Absolutely STUNNING. I hope to get that level of skill one day. Great stuff.

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks a lot guys!

I haven't been able to find any other rendition that's similar to mine (yet) - so I guess that makes mine unique!! :D

[Hagar]

Very nice Marcus, Certainly a tangled web for this spider. Colour and detail are great. Nice one.

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Doug!


I've now done a 200% enlargement of the spider and did a bit of curves processing plus a little decon. It's a very interesting though rather chaotic place.

The Spider's Heart: http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132449185/large

[seeker372011]

saying this is a nice picture is like saying Everest is a hill

[David Fitz-Henr]

Brilliant image Marcus!! Love the contrast between the old and new images, and really interesting to see the blow-up of SN1987A.

Just one complaint though - if you continue like this you will leave nothing for the rest of us :P. I mean, if I ever finish building my scope it'll be like a virtual "marc4darkskies woz here" written over all these objects - how will I Photoshop that out!?! :rofl:

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Narayan - high praise indeed!



Thanks David - you're too kind mate!

Hehehe, you'll only need photoshop if you're planning to steal my digitally watermarked images! :P In any case, if your imaging goal is the same as mine (to create uniquely beautiful images) there won't be a problem! :D