NGC2024 - Flame Nebula

[peter_4059]

I had another go at OSC with the QHY8 on Sunday night. Three hours on the flame in 5min subs. I've really struggled with the colour balance and this still seems to have a lot of blue in the highlights but I'm still reasonably happy with the image. No dew problems this time also!

Comments/tips welcome :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Thats a corker Peter,

I would be ecstatic to get an image like that.

Doesn't look blue to me, even considering the reflection nebulosity i nthe top right corner.....

MMMM, toasty and warm....

Very nice

Cheers

Chris

[trent_julie]

Nice framing, looks like there is a lot of detal there, well done!

Trent

[pmrid]

Peter, that is downright beautiful. The composition is particularly appealing with the juxtaposed sharp and spikey Alnitak and the softer but wonderfully textured Flame. Well done.
Peter

[desler]

Sensational Peter, Very nice framing and good detail. Lovely!

Darren

[Octane]

Peter,

That is absolutely wonderful.

It reminds me of some kind of dark art painting. Tres uber awesome!

Print. Frame. Hang.

H

[RobF]

Yep, composition is really nice, and makes you feel guilty for not giving such a wonderful object more interest. Love the colours and detail you have coming through Peter. Great to hear the argon is doing its job too.

[peter_4059]

Thanks for all the very positive feedback. I've been busy reprocessing from scratch - this time full calibration and tried DDP instead of curves stretching. I think I've managed to keep the blue a bit more under control this time.

[spearo]

lovely detail too
well done
frank

[gregbradley]

That's a wonderful image. I love it.

Greg.

[h0ughy]

done well Peter, like what you have got - even the original

[jjjnettie]

Wowee!
It's great to see the Flame getting the attention it deserves.

[troypiggo]

Oh yeah mate. You're on fire this week! Pun intended. That's awesome and good to see it without the horsie for a change.

[CoolhandJo]

Love the colours and detail.

[troypiggo]

Just had a look here on my calibrated monitor, and I actually reckon the first version's colours look the best. Seriously, those second ones do look a little green to me. (And no, I'm not trying to mess with you)

[tlgerdes]

I think the first is the correct colour, there is blue in the fringes of the Flame in a normal visible spectrum.

[allan gould]

Peter - you nailed it the first time. Excellent photo in all regards

[DavidU]

A corker ! Well done.:thumbsup:

[suma126]

i love it :). what focal length is it shot at :question:

[ozstronomer]

Peter great shot, the first one is my pick the colours look spot on.
Is that just lights or did you add darks as well?
Good to hear you had no dew problems :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Stunning!
Focus is sooooo crisp.
A very pleasing result to look at.
Nice work :)

The colour in the 1st image is better :thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Looks pretty good. Sharp detail but I prefer the second of the three which has a slight dusky quality to the image.:thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. It's nice to get a reasonable image after so many failures.

I thought the area around the stars on the right in the first image looked too blue and hadn't appreciated the blue nebulosity in this area.




It's 1250mm on the Newt with a 15% increase from the Paracorr.



Geoff - the first image is just flats and bias and the last two have had the full monty.

[alan meehan]

Well shot Peter good to see the flame get some attention
AL