A Dumbbell by name - a gem by nature (Updated)

[marc4darkskies]

I always knew this wasn't going to be easy!! From Sydney it's max altitude is 33 degrees or so and most of my imaging was done well below that!! Seeing and transparency are rarely any good at this altitude. I was finally defeated by weather this last week and was unable to get the additional Ha I wanted to bring up the outer shells with more clarity. All up, I threw out more data than I used! :(

Anyway, enough excuses, it's an object I've always wanted to image and I think what I've got is respectable under the circumstances.

Full res:
http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/146168301/original

Cheers, Marcus

[Larryp]

Very nice, Marcus!

[multiweb]

Nice one. The details on the high-res are very sharp. :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Well done, Marcus! Very respectable, indeed.

[Logieberra]

That extended TOA at F11.7 works a treat, great pic :)

[David Fitz-Henr]

Brilliant image Marcus, nice details and great colour processing as usual! ... and especially considering it's at such a low altitiude.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

That's a ripper Marcus!

Cheers,

Justin.

[Stevec35]

Very respectable indeed Marcus. Beats my effort from Arizona.

Cheers

Steve

[stardust steve]

Great effort and image. I have just dipped my toe in this vast ocean of AP and i am already throwing away frames before i have even started :lol::thumbsup:
Edit- full res image is an absolute cracker :)

[peter_4059]

Love the hi res version Marcus. Details are amazing.

[Octane]

Simply beautiful. Great to see some new work from you, Marcus.

H

[Paul Haese]

Cool Marcus. Despite what you describe this is a really nice image. Colour looks great.

[Star Catcher]

Looks good to me Marc. Well done.
Ted

[Martin Pugh]

You've caught a good deal of the outer nebulosity there Marcus and you also have that nice teal colour in the nebula. Good job.

cheers
Martin

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks very much Laurie!



Cheers Marc! Not quite as good as it would have been if imaged at higher altitudes, but not bad.



Thanks Rick!



Yes indeed it does! Do I see a new refractor in your life soon Logan?



Thanks David! Glad you liked it! That new DIY astrograph of yours will be blitzing us all soon!



Thanks Justin!



Thanks a lot Steve - it does needs a bit of magnification to really do it justice. Even at 1760mm I was pushing it IMO - although more wouldn't have helped me at this altitude.



Hi Steve, thanks! I'm not used to throwing so much away but you have to be ruthless. Good luck!



Thanks Peter!



Cheers H! Yes, between work and clouds it's hard to find quality time. But with El Nino on the way maybe we'll all have a surplus of clear nights soon!



Thanks Paul - glad you think so. Yes, many renderings are too blue IMO. When I created my RGB master it was too green! When I finished the final colour balancing it was torquoise / teal - a nice compromise! :)



Cheers Ted!



Thanks a lot mate! I struggled a bit during processing for lack of enough Ha, but I'm reasonably happy.

[Ross G]

A great looking photo Marcus.

Beautiful colours.

The detail is amazing. The "shimmering" in the body gives it a "Stargate" look.

Ross.

[Leonardo70]

It's more than respectable...:)
Great shot....

All the best,
Leo

[RobF]

Wonderful work Marcus. Always look forward to seeing your next project. Love the colours and detail even with the challenges you described. The dumbell itself if great, but LOVE the natural star colours and out shells you've shown. Very tasty....! :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

:) from any latitude, it's an amazing image.

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Ross. Considering the altitude and the aperture the detail's not bad. What I wouldn't give for a 5000ft mountain in the middle of nowhere though! :)



Thanks a lot Leo! I guess I'm a tough critic of my own work - I see all the improvements that could be made. :help:



Hey thanks Rob! I always make sure to spend processing time on the stars - they can make or break an image!



Thanks a lot JJ - glad you think so! :)

[nandopg]

Hi Marc,
Outstanding and inspiring achievement. Perfect capture, despite the problems you described, and processing spot on.This is an image to be proud of.

Best Regards,

Fernando

[gregbradley]

A great image Marcus. I love the colours.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks very much Fernando! I can tell you though - I won't be imaging anything else at this altitude again!



Hi Greg. Thanks mate!

[marc4darkskies]

I did a bit more processing on this to exploit the faint oxygen signal in my RGB. I also bumped up the red signal a bit in the outer shell. Subtle, but noticeable.

New version on the right (and in PBase). http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/146168301/original

[strongmanmike]

First of all, fantastic to see a Sidonio from you :computer: :D

Seriously though, this has come together very nicely Marcus it's a fantastic result considering your location, heck it's a fantastic result even if you don't consider it :eyepop: :thumbsup: Great extensions.

Mike

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks mate! Glad you thought so!

BTW I Sidonio quite a bit you know - I just don't fess up often ;)

[David Fitz-Henr]

Yes, very nice indeed Marcus! I had wondered where all the OII was in the original! ;) :rofl:

[marc4darkskies]

Hehe ... Thanks David! You should have mentioned it mate ... I missed it completely! :question: :shrug: :P

FYI - see attached RGB master frame ...

[Leobartz]

Very nice image and processing!!

Cheers,

Leo

[Tom Davis]

Great shot! That is a low altitude for sure -- about as low as M8 is for me!

-Tom

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Leo!



Thanks Tom! Glad you liked it! It'd be nice to be able to flit between hemisphere's wouldn't it?!