Heathcote H-alpha, OIII, Blue Series

[MLParkinson]

Well, here is what one can achieve from the light polluted outer suburbs of Sydney using a Televue NP127is refractor, a cooled EOS 50D, and Astronomik 12-nm H alpha (red channel) and OIII (green channel) filters. The blue channel in these RGB images was extracted from exposures using a Lumicon dark sky filter. I have always been very pleased with this filter - it can increase the exposure times by a factor of 2 beyond the limit when sky glow begins to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio. Even so, I would prefer to record the blue channel data out in the country.

The images in my flickr set were downsized by 75% in resolution to help keep the required internet bandwidth and usage under control.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/6992249065/

[TheDecepticon]

Very unusual presentation of the data.

Pity the images couldn't be bigger to get a real look at what is going on in them. Why don't you collect some SII data and do some full Hubble or CFHT style images?

You could also use the Ha as red and the OIII as blue and create a synthetic green channel which would give you more "rgb" type images.

Up to you, just suggestions. :rolleyes:

[MLParkinson]

Thanks for the really good ideas. If you click on the flickr link in the post you will see much higher resolution versions. Also, I have been experimenting with different colour palettes in an attempt to combine art with science. I guess I'm trying to do something different, and the results won't appeal to everyone. For example, look at the unusual rendition of the Rosette Nebula here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/6988913495/

Strangely, my favourite rendition is the R, G, B = OIII, Blue, H alpha version. I plan to produce more images using this colour palette.

[Peter Ward]

Interesting images.

Just wondering: why are there so many different types of diffraction spikes in your images? :question:

[MLParkinson]

Peter, yes, a refractor doesn't produce large diffraction spikes like a reflector. I deliberately inject diffraction spikes back into the images using cardboard vanes taped across the front of the dew shield. Other people have criticized me for doing this. I often debate in my mind whether the images look better with diffraction spikes. At this stage, I still feel that the images are improved by the spikes, but I guess if enough people give the spikes the thumbs down, I will begin to perceive the images in the same way as they do.

Best wishes, Murray

[Deeno]

Thanks for posting.
I have enjoyed your interpretations. Refreshing to see some experimental processing, well worth the visit to flickr for the larger versions...

[Ross G]

Good shots Murray.

Nice detail.

Ross.

[stevous67]

Your under water images are excellent too!

BR

Steve

[gregbradley]

Very nice images. I like the colour palette you've achieved.

Greg.

[bloodhound31]

I don't care that they don't look like the norm. I like 'em. Different and interesting.

[Ric]

Hi Murray

I enjoyed your interpretations, the colours are very vibrant.

It always good to see data used in different ways.

[multiweb]

Great shots and a beautiful photo gallery too. :thumbsup: Is there any thing left in the sky that you have taken a picture of? :lol: ... and under water?

[MLParkinson]

You bet Marc! The beauty and subject matters of the Universe are infinite! I would need a 1000 lifetimes to image nearly 0% of everything worth imaging. Well, that's just an attitude I guess.

[strongmanmike]

This is a great collection Murry and a demonstrates a very resourceful use of your location and conditions.

The colour palette grows on you huh? Not bad at all :thumbsup: The Ha and OIII are certainly doable but yes being able to collect colour data from dark skies would be ideal.

Mike