M81 and M82 take 2

[Stevec35]

After having a look at other M81 and M82 pictures of similar exposure I decided my effort was rubbish so I went back to see if I could get anything better. This is the result. The colour may seem a bit over the top but there is a lot of Ha data in here.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/m81_m82_Maknewt_QSI.htm

[stevous67]

It's a very nice representation Steve, lots of interesting detail, and well framed.

Cheers

Steve

[Stevec35]

Thanks Steve

[Bassnut]

Wow, certainly colourfull :), excellent, pops out.

[Paul Haese]

Maybe just ease back the magenta just a little Steve. Otherwise I reckon this is looking like a cracking image.:)

[Ross G]

Great galaxy photo Steve.

I really like the colour.


Ross.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Ross, Paul and Fred. Hopefully I've improved the magenta situation Paul. The truth is I haven't found it that easy to blend Ha into a galaxy in a realistic fashion to be that easy and I think this version looks more natural.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/m81_m82_Maknewt_QSI.htm

[strongmanmike]

Wow look at all that Ha in them arms Steve :eyepop: great project, who cares if it isn't perfect as a pretty picture, I like it and besides, taken from the other side of the World makes it awesome :thumbsup:

Mike

[Stevec35]

Thanks Mike. Without making excuses I should mention that a lot of the data was rather poor. Much of it was taken during high wind and moonlight. Remote imaging is certainly an enjoyable experience. In fact I'm thinking of buying the CCD commander software myself. Very powerful and easy to use.

Cheers

Steve

[Paul Haese]

Yep that is better. Like the top galaxy. It is always a really cool galaxy to see in an image.

[Stevec35]

Yep M82 seems to be easier to process than M81. I'm still not 100% happy with the image but I think this is about as good as it's going to get.

[skysurfer]

Great image !

Where did you take this picure ? Probably somewhere in the Outback ?
What camera did you use ?

[Stevec35]

Thanks. It was taken remotely using a telescope in Arizona.

[skysurfer]

Great, but I prefer making images with my own gear, the best I made are of M42 and eta Car in 2010, Monday night I tried M81+M82 with same setup (Televue Genesis prime focus + Canon eos 7) but not so nice colors like you.
Probably due to light pollution in Holland, the other two I took in Bali. My experience is that light pollution is the worst limiting factor. That is one reason why Arizona based imaging is much better.

[Stevec35]

Thanks. I prefer imaging with my own gear too but when the opportunity arises to image something that is not visible at this latitude then it's hard to resist. I saw your M81 and M82 and they looked fine to me. Probably the difference in colour is due to the longer exposure times in my shot.