[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for all the comments.

Originally Posted by Retrograde

Just beautiful Paul. The core detail in this is really something!

Thanks Pete. It took several iterations of sharpening to get the core detail looking sharp. I compared that to several prominent images of this galaxy to ensure I was not going too far and it seemed to stack up.

Originally Posted by RickS

Agree about the great detail in the core. I know you don't normally do noise reduction, Paul, but there are areas that look like they have been smoothed a little too much?

Originally Posted by Bart

Hiya Paul,

Long time no see!

Top shelf as always. Agree a bit on the smoothing in the arms, but bloody brilliant, none the less.

Cheers!

Thanks guys for the comments. Sorry but no smoothing done on the galaxy at all (at least I think that is the case). Some done on the back ground and darker areas via a reveal all mask but none actually done on the galaxy. The base luminance on this image is really buttery in and around the galaxy. Like you I thought it was looking a little plastic but the 18 hours of integration must have caused this or maybe my reveal mask let some smoothing through (possible). Or else there are some subs hiding that are a little blurry. I am not too fused though, but I can certainly see where you are coming from. I will go and investigate whether I have inadvertently caused some excessive smoothing, just to satisfy my own mind since you guys have also raised the possibility.

Originally Posted by Geoff45

Nice Paul. As others have mentioned, the core detail is impressive. I also like the blue stellar regions-- some interesting arcs which look almost like artifacts at first glance (which they are not of course).
Geoff

Thanks Geoff, I was very careful to check against other more recent images such as Marcus's to verify that detail. I was has happy to see that others had produced the same looking patterns.

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Another ripper. Terrific detail. You are a very patient imager to build up 35 hours like that.

Greg.

Thanks Greg. As Anthony Wesley once remarked, "this hobby is not for the impatient". he was applying that more for planetary imaging but I think it equally applies for DSO imaging. I don't have a fast system so many hours of integration time has to be sought before I am content with a particular result. I think this image could do with another 20 hours next year to smooth out the back ground better and perhaps bring up some of the back ground galaxies.