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View Full Version here: : The Eagle Nebula - M16 - HaRGB


stevous67
27-05-2012, 05:05 PM
Hi Guys,

This HaRGB was taken in two different periods. The Ha layer was taken in July 2011, and the colour data in May 2012. The Ha was the third image taken with the new scope from inner Melbourne on a favourable winter's evening (5 x 20min subs). The colour data was then captured in May 2012 in central Victoria under clear dark skies (7 x 300sec subs per channel).

Luminance layer added to star field [previously just bin2x2 data in star field]
Half Size [2.0mb] (http://www.mpas.asn.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2000&g2_serialNumber=10) Updated version
Full Size [4.5mb] (http://www.mpas.asn.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1997&g2_serialNumber=13) Updated version

Slightly cropped due to difference between the two FOV's - Ha & RGB

Instrument: Planewave CDK 12.5 / Focal Ratio: F8
Camera: STL-11000 + MOAG + AOL
Camera Sensitivity: Ha BIN 1x1, RGB BIN 2X2
Exposure Details: Ha 1200sec x 5 + RGB 300 x 7 [each]
Mount: AP900GTO / Autoguider: SBIG Remote Head
Date: 27 July 2011 [Ha] + 20 May 2012 [RGB]
Viewing Location: Melbourne [Ha] + Heathcote [RGB], Victoria.
Software Enchancements: CCDStack2, PS CS3
Comments: Clear Nights, Very good Conditions
Seeing conditions: 8/10

Link to original Ha data only:

Ha M16 (http://www.mpas.asn.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1402&g2_serialNumber=2)

I continue to find HaRGB processing very difficult, combining the tight star data of the Ha layer to the larger star data of the RGB. In PS when completing the colour layering of the Ha as a luminance layer, and the RGB as the colour layer, I note the larger stars of the RGB Layer causes those dark rings, exactly like strong deconvolution causes. The issue that followed was a struggle for me to remove the unsightly problem. I’ve also noticed that the Ha data doesn't treat all coloured stars equally, in that some coloured stars don't even show up in the layer. I noticed this was a problem especially in the darker areas of my Ha with a lack of star density that was present in the RGB data.

To correct the star difference in size, I found using the Ha layer as the basis of a mask to the RGB data the best. I also used the minimize filter, but you have to be especially careful not to loose smaller coloured stars from the RGB altogether. So it became a ridiculous balancing act between minimizing stars to the Ha data star size, and being careful for the RGB data not to loose colour in the areas of the smaller stars [like the central region of the M16]. Eventually, I pasted over the top of the image those central smaller stars in the nebula, as it became just too hard in the end. To avoid divorce, I simply gave up on processing the outer stars in the darker regions, using a minimize filter just to resized them to and equivalent size to the Ha star sizes [some now look a little strange shaped]. At least this resolved the problem of the lack of star density in these areas of the Ha data.


Hope the above wasn't too much waffle!


Bye


Steve

multiweb
27-05-2012, 06:27 PM
Wow Steve! That is really cool. :eyepop: :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

naskies
27-05-2012, 07:36 PM
Beautiful! :)

Is it just me, or does the background star field in your colour version look a bit green (especially in the top-left corner)?

DavidTrap
27-05-2012, 09:27 PM
The detail in the nebula is stunning, but I agree with Dave there is something not quite right about the star fields.

DT

Peter Ward
27-05-2012, 10:48 PM
You are really getting some tidy results there Steve. I must admit I miss the MOAG +AOL setup I had with the STL...sadly no AO-X seems to be in the SBIG skunk works for now...

Excellent stuff :thumbsup::thumbsup:

bloodhound31
27-05-2012, 11:36 PM
Can you upload a low res one to IIS?

RobF
27-05-2012, 11:42 PM
Very tight and wonderful colour. The centre field just seems so well defined but still natural. Great processing.

alpal
27-05-2012, 11:48 PM
I looked at the full size - that's an excellent photo - well done.

Rigel003
27-05-2012, 11:51 PM
Lovely image, Steve. Terrific detail and textural detail in the core of the nebula.

stevous67
28-05-2012, 07:08 AM
Hi Everyone,

Thanks again for the feedback. David and Dave were correct, using just the bin 2x2 data in the star fields wasn't a good idea. I've put back the luminance layer there at the expense of loosing some additional stars.

Thanks again.

Steve

stevous67
28-05-2012, 07:13 AM
Okay - sorry. One is now in the first post.

Cheers.

CoolhandJo
28-05-2012, 08:13 AM
All I can add is "Rich". THe FOV, the colours, the detail - All Rich. Very nice indeed. (now on my desktop background :).

RickS
28-05-2012, 08:39 AM
Very impressive, Steve!

astronobob
28-05-2012, 10:11 PM
Agree, very impressive Steve, man Id be very happy with this sought of resolution, awesome image :thumbsup:

DavidTrap
28-05-2012, 10:17 PM
Like the new version!

DT

LucasB
28-05-2012, 10:28 PM
Wow! Nice sharp details with the Ha, blending is great.:thumbsup:
Lucas

strongmanmike
28-05-2012, 11:00 PM
Excellent result Steve, the updated version is really good, love the overall feel the image has :thumbsup:

Mike

naskies
28-05-2012, 11:14 PM
Noiiice :)

TrevorW
29-05-2012, 01:57 PM
I'll add that to the super cool wall :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Loupy31
29-05-2012, 03:24 PM
Very nice image, well done

I noticed in someones post, the letters MOAG, +AOL, STL and AO-X .

being a novice to Astroimaging, can someone tell me what they mean, or is this some secret code only known to a few.

Peter

bmitchell82
29-05-2012, 04:55 PM
Great image Steve. :) like all the rest have said is my opinion too

A.O - Adaptive optics
MOAG - Massive Off Axis Guiding

STL is Sbigs brand (just like "VE" commodore) same with AO-X

TrevorW
29-05-2012, 05:38 PM
MOAG means Manual Off-Axis Guider, a non-moving part of your optical train.

SBIG stands for Santa Barbara Instrument Group the STL is probably as described by Brendan as all their cameras begin with the ST prefix

ST, STL.STX,STF, STE

Martin Pugh
29-05-2012, 07:22 PM
Lovely result. Well done.

Martin

stevous67
31-05-2012, 07:13 AM
Thanks again everyone, you’re all very encouraging. Appreciate the comments.

Cheers, and take care.


Steve