The Tunnel of Fire - animals in the Rosette

[strongmanmike]

Finally some clear skies :eyepop: (faint.....)

Two nights in a row :eyepop: (faint....)

This is only my second image in 6 months :sadeyes:...but at least it is a new image :D :thumbsup:

More commonly referred to as The Rosette Nebula, I think it looks like a Tunnel of Fire.

This is is a HaOIIISIIRGB combination totaling just over 7hrs taken with the AG12 - 12" F3.8 corrected astrograph.

Processed to deliver a (more or less) true colour image. Seeing was the usual battling borderline rubbish :rolleyes:

The Tunnel of Fire (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/140701923/original) Full Fame at 50%

The inner Rosette (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/140701945/original) crop at 80%

And I found These Animals (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/140710554/original) lurking in the nebula :P

It's a little bold :question: so I hope you like it :thumbsup:

Mike

[John Hothersall]

At 50% on my screen the tunnel effect is striking, like the way you have shaped this giving it the 3D entrance look. The contrasted ring of gas around the centre stands out so well, this has been carefully processed. The fainter stars look a little too blue in the centre area but this may be natural? As for the animal shapes lay off the weed.

You do think of great names for these subjects.

John.

[ballaratdragons]

Mike, I like the Cheetah. Top work mate :thumbsup:

It looks a bit too blue on my monitor, but still a top job :)

[Mighty_oz]

Gotta love it :) I recon u could start a new fad there Mike.

[alan meehan]

Hey Mike isn,t nice to get some clear skies for a change ,the rossette looks awesome such detail well done and you missed the cocker spanial dog above the cheetah.
AL

[multiweb]

:eyepop: Sensational picture. I really like the dark boks in the center. There are small ones I've never seen in there. The center blue wisps are really well defined too. That should make up for all the clouds in newcastle. Gotta be stoked with that one. :thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

Oh yeah! Gorgeous image there mate!! Colour looks spot on to me!

I'm working on this now - well, when the moon goes down again. It will be interesting to compare mine with yours when I'm finished. I may post the Ha in the meantime.

Cheers, Marcus

[adman]

Beuatiful image Mike.

The cheetah I had no problem with , but the fish and the donkey required some fairly strong hallucinogens, but I got there in the end...

[strongmanmike]

Thanks John glad the 3D appearence was so noticable for you, it was this that made me think tunnel on fire :thumbsup:



Cheers Ken :thumbsup: Regarding the colour, you could be right but it looked pleasing to me and remember this was compiled from almost entirely narrowband data so there is only so much a magician can do :)



Thanks Marccus.

Fad? what fad do you mean?



Thanks Alan...oh yeeeeaaahhh! two all nighters was hard but still heaven :thumbsup: No, I saw that dog actually except I thought it looked like a Labrador..but the other three look strikingly like their names - to me anyway :D



Thanks Marc, yes I am happy, I wanted it to be an interesting image to scroll around, there are so many strange little details. It was mostly clear again last night but I was too tired and I have to say I was a bit over the setup required..out of practice see :sadeyes:



On ya Marcus, I knew you would like the colour :thumbsup:

Your image is sure to be a corker, you get better seeing than I do so I expect that will help you, hope you are imaging at F5.6 with this one though, that field would be a corker.



Visualising strange things is my specialty Adam :D...they're there :thumbsup:



Thanks guys for your feedback
Mike

[Dennis]

Wow, Mike – that is a masterfully stunning image, really something quite special. I am so glad that there are people out there, like you, who satiate our hunger with these wonderful cosmic feasts.:):thumbsup:

Cheers

Dennis

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Dennis, so glad you really like it :thumbsup:

Hunger mmmmmmmm....

:P

[vanwonky]

As usual - awesome Mike. But the Labrador is more like an Irish setter and the fish is a cat crouching.
Cheers
Dave

[strongmanmike]

Thanks mate

I dunnoooo...I recon it's a Labrador..... :whistle:

Mike

[kinetic]

Wonderful Mike...!
Bloody unbelievable!
TinTin's fox terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elias1%C4%8Derven2006.jpg) is in there too:thumbsup:

Steve

[strongmanmike]

:lol: "Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles!"

[Paul Haese]

Yes this is probably the best of your images Mike. I have been contemplating an RGB with narrow band for a while and I think this really works well in your image. Narrow band often gives more 3D forms and shapes than RGB, but the RGB does help with the star colours and control of the look. Cracking image and a real show stopper. If that does not win some prize in some competitions this year I will be very surprised.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Paul, kind words :thumbsup:

I am surprised more people don't use narrowband data to do RGB type work actually, it really ain't rocket science:shrug:



....ahhh, probably not DM's cup of tea I am afraid :screwy: :lol:... maybe if I put three next to each other in the one frame...:question: :lol:

Cheers

Mike

[allan gould]

Hats off to you Mike. I don't know how you managed to find a virgin in Newcastle to sacrifice to the imaging gods but it certainly was worth it.
Stupendous image with a real 3D quality

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Al

Actually it was clear last night too but some cloud was predicted to be around and develop after midnight so with it not getting dark until nearly 10pm this time of year and the effort I go to to set up and pull down each session...I decided to be happy with the 7hrs I had :)

Thanks again mate.

Mike

[TrevorW]

Love the image only critque is that I;m not overly keen on the flaring/spikes (not the diffraction spikes) around the stars but thats just a personal taste thingy

the detail in the nebula structure is superb as is the colour

I've never been able to pick animals out of clouds

Well done

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Trevor :thumbsup:

Not exactly sure what you are referring to in "the flaring/spikes (not diffraction spikes)" is it someting that I have done in the processing or is it something caused by the optics :question:

Mike

[midnight]

An award winning image surely Mike. I agree with John's comment about the 3D aspect. It is very well framed and delivers that impact.

I also enjoyed the star colours and how these have been controlled.

I'll stick with my astro 40D for a while but I am seriously considering one of those Starlight Xpress slimline OAGs and using my DBK in that. I think I need to do this with my 8"SN (F4). What do you think Mike?

Thoroughly enjoyed this and glad you got some clear nights!! Thanks too for showing us!

Darrin...

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Darrin glad you like it :thumbsup: it's a bold image and may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Re the OAG, I think they are a great idea, I could probably even do with one as I do get some differential flexure in some areas of the sky with this scope/camera/guide scope combination, it is reasonably manageable and getting a shorter guide scope-guider train would be helpful too :rolleyes:

I (and I am sure a couple of others :whistle:) am glad I got some clear skies too, I was going mad reprocessing M42 :lol:

Mike

[atalas]

Damn!that's terrific, and a unique view....good one Merlin.

[strongmanmike]

Oh ya Louie...shazzam :thumbsup:

It's always hard to produce even vaguely unique work on an old favourite.

Mike

[irwjager]

Woah! :eyepop:

That's a stunner Mike!

[Bassnut]

Friggin excellent Mike, the bok detail is awesome.

[Star Catcher]

Whoa... niceeeeeee.... image Mike!

Ted

[Paul Haese]

Wish I could, I just need a much larger filter wheel in each camera to hold all the filters. I am considering getting a the QSI683 with the extra large filter wheel. Price looks good at present and I can sell my current camera to help finance it. Hmmmm more filters.

Yeah three in a row is the go mate. Works for me.:P

[alistairsam]

Hi Mike,

That is stunning.

But not sure if its my laptop as its not calibrated, do you think it'll look even better if the black point were a bit higher as in darker? I'm no expert but do love contrasts.

I tried it and it really brings out the whole nebula. this is the histogram in gimp without any change.

regds

[Rigel003]

Astonishing image, Mike. We're so used to smaller images of this with a bit of sky around that it's a real jolt to get in close and dirty. So much to see! I especially like the colour contrasts with the gold stars against the blue. As for the fish??!! What is this, a cosmic Rorshach test?

[SkyViking]

Fantastic image Mike, definitely one of your best! The tunnel effect is really noticeable, I have never really looked at the Rosette in that way so thanks a lot for this. And all those bok globules and dark condensations, they are really outstanding.

I did wonder where the 'double' set of spikes came from, you seem to have 8 spikes instead of 4. It made me curious. I may be wrong but I don't recall seeing that in your earlier test images with the new scope?

[RobF]

Fantastic image Mike. Tunnel of Fire maybe, but you've certainly accentuated the 3D effect of the rose petals too I think :)
A new reference image of this area for sure.

I'd be interested in a bit more detail on how you collect and utilise the NB data if that isn't a trade secret? How many subs of what length and what sort of relative percentages NB/RGB - and is it mainly NB with RGB used primarily on a star mask to make them more natural? :question:

[Moon]

Mike,
The field of view is really impressive, as is the amazing detail. I'm tempted to buy a bigger monitor & video card so I can fit the 'original' version on my screen. I feel like I'm missing out big time when I view the 'large' version which does fit on my screen.
I also wondered why some stars seem to have 8 spikes - it doesn't distract from the image - just a question how that happens.
James

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Alistair.

Hey it may well look better to some presented slightly darker but I think it also depends on, the monitor you look at it on and the program you look at it in, it even looks different when displayed on PBase compared to how it looks on my screen in Photoshop, then there is the degree of ambient light in the room and finally personal preference too I guess? I ,like contrast but hate losing anything in the faint outer areas too :thumbsup:



Thanks Graeme...yes it all hast to do with the sexual relationship you hat wit your mater as a childt :P

Mike Oedipus



Thanks Rolf glad it was a bit of a new experience for you :thumbsup: always hard to create a new experience with such a popular target.

Re the extra diff spikes, see what I say to James below



Thanks Rob, kind words :)



Oh god where do I start...I said it wasn't rocket science but the way I do it it would be like Pro Hart trying to describe his technique, looks easy but there are many blends and iterations to get to the final result, it really is like some sort of mad painting session for me :lol:.

Anyway, not sure how helpful they will be but here are a few things I do:

Generally I blend the OIII into the blue, the Ha into the red and SII into the green (adjusting the blend ratios by eye), I then do various blends of these usually by a blend of the Ha and OIII as the luminance in an LRGB process a few times, interating saturation increases and hue changes.

I do compile a straight RGB version from the RGB data and utilise this to impart the colour to both the nebula and the stars at various stages. I combine the Ha frame with a star minimised version of the RGB too in order to get better matching stars to paste in the later stages of the process. I use two of Noel Carboni's actions too, mostly "select RGB stars" and "local contrast enhancement" .

Along the way I use S curves in PS quite a bit (anchored at several points) to accentuate the features and colours I want to.

Then there is various degrees of shadow highlights (very carefully) and unsharp mask to bring out some of the finer details. I do various versions of varying degrees of aggressiveness and blend them together similar to the technique popularised by Ken Crawford for galaxy details - its much more time consuming for large complex nebulae though.

It really feels like a mad painters studio when I process not the methodical accountant type, lots of bit of this bit of that :lol:

Hope that..?..was interesting? :question:

Mike



Hi James

You can open the original version and then shrink it in your browser to fit better on your screen.

This happens on the bright stars to varying degrees due to the specific scope design but because I also manually went in and reduced the prominent halos from around the very brightest stars using the paint brush and clone tools, a few stars I may have inadvertently highlighted these four small spikes trying not obliterate data...?

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Ivo and Fred

Yes the Bok globules are so interesting in this nebulae, they do set it off nicely and feel closer to the viewer than the rest of the nebula thus accentuating the 3D feel.

Mike

[jjjnettie]

Very very nice work!!
Great to have new data to work with isn't it. :)

[Tandum]

Gee that camera has some real estate on the sensor Mike. That's a huge field of view for 1.1meters odd.

[strongmanmike]

Yes have to agree... even if it aint yours either ;) :lol:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Yes makes me a CCD Land Barron :P

Mike

[ballaratdragons]

Yeah, true Mike. I know nothing about narrowband or how it is meant to look :thumbsup:

[richardo]

Excellent, a new image Migel:cool: thank the Gods...:prey:
This is really something else big fella!
I hit the 50%... in your face.. I went out a bit to get most of it in and it does really look stunning.
Some beautiful detail and I also love those faint wisps of reflection?? that are waffling in the centre.

The rgb data does I think do a great job with the 'more conventional' look to the stars. But the narrow band just adds so much more... and makes most Rosettes I've seen look... mmm, just plain beige!

Top stuff...!!

All the best
Rich

[strongmanmike]

Ah Richardo, cheers mate, tis so gratifying when an image is enjoyed so much, really makes the effort worth it, like giving a chrissy present that is well recieved, just makes ya feel good :thumbsup:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Ahhhh, thanks...but wha tha? :question:

[multiweb]

The gravitational pull of your tunnel of fire is even attracting spam through your post. Is that awesome or what? :eyepop: :lol: :P

[strongmanmike]

Well lets hope it can attract one or two of these too :D

[RobF]

Cheers Mike for all the processing detail. I'm becoming less of a Photoshop guy day by day, but really appreciate those insights and of course the general principles still apply whichever tool is used. I shudder to think exactly what I did on some images, so glad to hear the pros resort to plenty of "Pro Hart" at times too :lol:

[acropolite]

Bold and Brassy Mike, but the detail is amazing (Hubblesque). I think your best work to date.:bowdown::bowdown:

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Phil, you recon...hmmm? ok :)

Thanks so much for the kind words :thumbsup:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

It's official Life does exist elsewhere in the universe and it is remarkably like life here on Earth:

Animals of the Rosette (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/140710554/original)

:P

[LucasB]

Mike,
That is really something! Love the colours and detail.
Thanks for posting.:thumbsup:
Lucas

[strongmanmike]

You're very welcome Lucas, glad you liked it...did you find all the imaginary animals :lol: :)

[Hagar]

Nice image Mike but boy you have a vivid imagination.

[strongmanmike]

Just enjoy astroimaging on many (unusual) levels, that's all :lol:

It's great fun :nerd:

Mike

[prokyon]

Nice pic Mike, I love the animals you found! Maybe the IAU will accept these names. :D

[strongmanmike]

Greg Bock may have found a coupl'a exploded dots, Steve Crouch might have revealed a vague cluster hidden behind some dirt and as for Mr Lovejoy, well how boring :rolleyes:, meeah pfft!...."I" have found life out there! :D

[Peter.M]

And here I was thinking that the horse head was the only one. I bet if the red curtain extended towards the reflection nebula you would see his body and legs too!

It all makes so much sense now.

[strongmanmike]

Funn...y you should saaaay that....

[Peter.M]

I see what you did there.

[tornado33]

Its not only deep but such incredible detail in the bright nebula v the dark nebulae. Well done indeed!
Scott

[strongmanmike]

...yeh but what about the animals, did you see the animals?? :scared::scared::scared::scared:

:nerd::driving::help2:

[Troy]

Wow great images Mike, I like the presentation on the animals. :thumbsup:

[CoolhandJo]

lovely. Neve seen this target in a rendition like this ever :)

[LightningNZ]

The animals (especially the cheetah) are fantastic Mike!

Not sure about the colour of the nebula though, it's rather arterial, or maybe something else biological that I've seen in some of my other Internet... "searches". ;)

I so need a better mount so I can collect longer subs...

Best wishes,
Cam

[strongmanmike]

Yeh animals always soften the heart Troy :love:



Thanks Cam, yes the colour is rather bold I guess but creating impact and interest was on the KPI's list :lol:

Mike



Cheers Paul, I sometimes strive for something different, which is hard on such a well imaged target

Mike

[gregbradley]

You got some amazing resolution there Mike.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Greggles...ok, you didn't like the colour did you :scared2: I knew it, I knew it ..or was it the animals :rundog:, they weren't cute enough were they? and I missed the Elephant doh :sadeyes:

Mike :lol:

[gregbradley]

No not at all. Sorry my response may have seemed selectively complimentary. Its a wonderful image. Colour is great.

You have gotten your own style and type of look to your image here Mike which is somewhat uniquely yours and I think thats a great thing to achieve in any artform.

Greg.

[DavidU]

Stunning image Mike.It's a veritable zoo out there.:D

[strongmanmike]

Ah phew!!! pant, pant, .....for a moment I thought you didn't like my interior decorating, I was pacing back and forth scratching my head..needs more green, no needs less contrast, maybe a nice new couch or new blinds... :lol:

Just joshin :thumbsup:



Mooooo...oh, that's a farm :question:

Thanks Dave :)

[h0ughy]

i see Santa brought you some clear skies Mike, the zoo looks wonderful

[strongmanmike]

Yeh, finally managed to get out again and two nights in a row even :rolleyes: glad you liked my arterial looking menagerie :D

Mike

[danielsun]

Mate!.... What an incredible image! I saw the animals and I even saw faces too!
I was gazing inside this image for quite a while and the depth and detail blew me away.:eyepop:
Brilliant work Mike!:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

On ya Danny, nothing like a good gaze.... when looking at imaginary animals :scared2:

:thumbsup:

Mike

[Ross G]

An amazing photo Mike.

I love the detail and colours.

The best I have ever seen!

Thanks.

Ross.

[strongmanmike]

Yeh? :eyepop: wow :thumbsup:...what do you think of the Hubble Pallet version I posted then?

Cheers big ears

Mike

[ballaratdragons]

Nope. It hasn't got a tree in the foreground :P

[marco]

Congratulation Mike for your nebular "zoo" and for the 70+ messages of appraisal following :thumbsup: A very nice image indeed, your are as usual able to get the most from the little clear skies you get :D

Ciao
Marco

[strongmanmike]

Dr Dolittle :D...clear skies..?..hmmm? yes I remember those....

I saw your Dumbbell Nebula shot at your site and it's awesome when are you posting it here? Looks like a beautiful butterfly flapping in space....umm more animals :question: :nerd:

Mike

[iceman]

Stunning image Mike, one of your best I think.

The animals are great - I love the matching cheetah and racoon thingy the best, but the donkey is close. Maybe the Shrek donkey would've been a better match :P

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Mike, although there has been a lot of positive thoughts expressed about this image, I know a few can't quite warm to it....so I did what I do best and did a whole other version (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=85341) :thumbsup:

He he

Mike

[bmitchell82]

What a lovely little rendition! and a win for the Newt brigade! :) the colours look pretty good too.

Oh on a side note i know what Trevor is talking about on some of your larger stars you have a secondary diffraction effect, generally this is caused by the microlense on the CCD and often seen in fast/large reflector telescopse :) I have them slightly in my little newt :)

Im hoping for clear skies sometime soon that i can take advantage of. Too much work too little time :(

Brendan

[Enrique]

I declare that this image is my new reference for 3D effect. My target is to produce an image with a 3D effect 1/3 as good as the tunnel of fire, without the zoo, before 2013.

So help me God!

Enrique

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Bredan, I agree, it is most likely the microlenses..?

Bit less obvious in the Hubble Palette (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/rosette_in_hubble_pallet) version


Cheers

Mike



Well go forth my son and spread the way, make all images 3D to the edges of the land, leave no narrowband unturned, spare no decon in your devine quest - amen :prey:

He he

Mike

[Leonardo70]

:eyepop: Mike .... congratulations for this amazing work

All the best,
Leo