M83

[Tandum]

Another night spent adjusting dome offsets. Tracked M83 across meridian with only one adjustment so we're very close. It's quite odd how the slot turns to the south as it approaches zenith and then turns east instead of west after a flip. Not what I was expecting at all.

This was fully combined in maxim and over sharpened in PS. Also looks very blue on here :confused2:

About 4 hours data. QHY9, GSO RC8 from the back yard.

Replaced flourescent version with another.

[CoolhandJo]

GReat FOV. Yep could be oversharpened a tad. But I like this target :)

[Hagar]

Robin, Nice data but it does look a bit green on my monitor and might be just a touch over processed. Definitely a tad oversaturated.

Have another crack at it Mate.

[bloodhound31]

Way overcooked, but you tracking and focus look good and it looks like you got a good amount of detail.

Treat it gently...like running your fingers through Angelina Jolie's hair.

[RobF]

Looks like some great data in there Robin, but colour calibration is definitely off with the greens and blues. I'm sure we're going to see on this project. Dome movements sound interesting - not intuitive at all.

[Tandum]

I replaced that flourescent image with a milder one. Should know by now things look different at 4am :)

Looks like clear weather for the next couple of days at least, that'll be a nice change.

[strongmanmike]

The second one is excellent Robin..and that's the best way to orient the galaxy too ;) :D

Mike

[Tandum]

Got rid of the blue one mike, it's just wrong.
I've been playing with pinpoint, the camera is now at 0 degree offset.
Should get more this week if the weather maps are right :)

[TrevorW]

The RC appears to be working well Robin, nice stars and detail may need to tighten up the background a bit IMO (personal taste), sample attached as as an indication, hope you don't mind

[Tandum]

No problem Trev. Here's a new one with another 4 hours data added.
Got a stack of 10 minute RGB binned x 1 last night. The moon was up though :(

Getting side by side scopes to point out of that dome slot across the whole sky is definately not easy.
I might have to ditch the sbs bar, that seems to be what is causing me grief I think.

[suma126]

robin great effect well done :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Robin I had a quick play with the files

[Tandum]

I got blue stars in one of mine as well.
Here's an m83 apod -> http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070724.html

[Fabiomax]

Congratulations on an image is really exciting! your telescope works very well! and you also:-)
cheers,
Fabiomax

[FranckiM06]

Wow, it is really great shot. Lot of detail in arms and nice process. I like the third version.
Franck

[gregbradley]

I am continually impressed by the performance of these GSO RCs. That is a highly detailed image of M83. Only a few years ago, only very expensive scopes and cameras would match that effort let alone better it.

Colour isn't there yet so a bit of Photoshopping techniques are required there but the data sure is there. Try HLVG by Rogelio Andreo to get rid of the green cast in the background or Russell Cromans Gradient Xterminator to balance out the background gradients (green and magenta). Then move forward with a correct base to adjust the colours of the galaxy with colour balance tool in Photoshop or whatever software you use. Shadows/highlights tool on the lassoed and feathered core selection is a good way to reduce the bright inner glow of a galaxy if gently done. Play with the sliders.

If you want any help with Photoshop just PM me and I'll walk you through the techniques.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

You certainly have some good data there. Colouring has been a bit off so far and the closest one I have liked is one that Trevor played with last. The tough part of this galaxy is getting the magenta and blues right.

I also think you need a lot more data. I spent 10 hours getting the data for my image and I am pretty happy with the result. Because of the low surface brightness of this object it can present with more noise than brighter objects due to the degree of stretching.

I can also recommend the HLVG filter too; great stuff for controlling the greens in any image.

Keep persisting and you will get it right, but get more data Robin.

[Tandum]

Cheers guys, I'll look into the software you mention. I always have gradients in RGB images shot from the back yard, I should get something to correct that. I spent last night reconfiguring the scopes, I've pulled the SBS bar and I'll try the scopes stacked. I think the rain may be coming back though :(

[gregbradley]

Nothing really beats Gradient Xterminator for results with gradients. It sometimes helps to have another tool or two up your sleeve but it will make backyard suburban imaging more painless.

Greg.