The Eagle Nebula in RGB colour

[strongmanmike]

Ok, for the purists, here is a natural RGB colour version of the Eagle Nebula.

Compiled using Ha, OIII and SII data plus a miserly 6min each of RGB :)

FULL FRAME (at 50% res) (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/144236488/original) - worth shrinking in your browser to take it all in too

A nice Crop (at 70% res) (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/144236490/original)

Hope this traditional colour palette is more pleasing to more eyes :thumbsup:

Those that didn't see the former alternative version it is HERE (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/144171900/original)

Actually, if you open them both in different tabs of your browser you can click between them and see the colours change :)

Mike

[graham.hobart]

That really is quite astonishing. You can get lost in it's avian depths.
Pure brilliance.

Such an inspiring shot.
People like you make people like me want to spend more astro money ! Curses!
Thanks for the glimpse of greatness
Graham
:eyepop:

[Stevec35]

Very nice Mike. I think you got the blend just about right. Lots of surrounding features that you don't often see.

Cheers

Steve

[alpal]

I like both versions Mike.

You have really got your AG 12 system performing to perfection.

[petershah]

Oooo thats nice Mike.....love the close up great detail....:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Hi Peter and fellow AG12 user, I am honoured that you gave me your very first post :thumbsup:...and that you liked the image :)

Hope to see you and your amazing images on here regularly now, it will be nice to have another user of these remarkable scopes on here, it is a great forum mate :thumbsup:

Mike

[petershah]

Cheers Mike, ive not done a lot of imaging too many work commitments. Im hoping that will change now. Im also in the process of upgrading my focuser to an FLI....it arrived today! so i should be fitting it to the AG12 next week. Im also in the process of upgrading my mount, but im going to need a few bits and bobs for that.......

anyway sorry to go off topic

[gregbradley]

That's a very nice Eagle Mike.

I like this version better as for my eye the other version had blue being too dominant.

Greg.

[peter_4059]

They are both impressive images Mike. I think I prefer the first one - the area around the pillars seems to have held up better in the processing.

[DavidTrap]

I was one of the "traditionalists" who didn't warm to your Hubble Inspired Palette. In all honesty, I think I am so conditioned to seeing the "Pillars of Creation" Hubble shot, that anything else seems "wrong"! I've been eating the same breakfast cereal for years - maybe I just don't like change...

Your RGB image is definitely "pinker" than I'm used to seeing for nebulas. Is this a product of using NB data for ??? luminance?

Once again, the detail and field of view are staggering. It makes you realise there is sooooo much more than just those tiny pillars!

DT

[strongmanmike]

Thanks for having another looks guys and the comments :thumbsup:

Dave, interpretation is everything in narrowband, some will claim there is a scientific rational for how NB images should look and Richard Crisp will argue this point (fair enogh too), however for me it is purely visual, like art. Once you step away from true colour RGB approach, which probably should be based on more or less how your eye would naturally respond, in my opinion all bets are off. Hubble popularised a certain "look" and this has become the standard candle but even that palette can vary widely.

With RGB presentations of nebulae it is my belief that there are very few "red" nebulae, most are a variation of magenta/pink due to the HBeta emission which is blue. The strength of the magenta or pink is open to interpretation and ultimately is governed by the eye, of both the imager and viewer. I usually like pinky hues to influence the magenta but not always, for me it is art and each image is a canvas with only my rules ultimately, so not all results will please everyone.

I appreciate your candid comments they are refreshing as always :)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

After looking at the image in better lighting I agree with you Dave :D processing at night in a darkened room the brightness of the screen can overwhelm some things so they are not noticable and even though I know this, this has caught me out on a number of occasions still :doh:. I have found that the perfect ambient lighting is a room during the afternoon with translucent curtains drawn = diffuse dim natural lighting :thumbsup:

Images updated :lol:

Mike

[John Hothersall]

Six minutes each for the rgb shows the power your dealing with and looks more natural.

John.

[Lester]

Amazing detail Mike, appreciate the view.

[TheDecepticon]

I like them both Mike, great work! :thumbsup::)

[RickS]

Now, that's better Mike :lol:

[strongmanmike]

Cheers men, glad the more traditional look is more acceptable to you conservative old buggers :P

Mike Pollock