I always love finding cool stuff hidden in plain sight - and while m8 is a favourite target for many a wide filed image, I thought I'd try to dive deep into the heart of the lagoon and see what I could find. Well - turns out its full of goodies!!
This is a 2panel mosaic, processed in APP & PI. I used a couple of functions new to me: HDRMT & MLT that I found effective to enhance contrast and maintain the complex textures in those bright regions. Also very light touches of BlurEx & NoiseEx. I've obviously prioritised the bright regions in the histogram functions.
I just loved those cliffs down the bottom of the image, as well as the intricate swirls around the right core of the nebula. I did my best to bring out the 'layers' of detail in the processing, hopefully maintaining that sense of transparency .
A tiny small glitch during acquisition... (unknown to me) 3 of my 5 counterweights shifted during the meridian flip and slid all the way down to the bottom of the bar
. Well, my eq8, like an absolute champ, just kept on doing its thing but understandably was struggling to guide, and as a result, stars looks awful & the alignment of my Ha & Oiii Star Chanels were off too... Aaaannd so instead of spending hours working out how to fix that I just left it starless. Kinda helps accentuate the detail anyways so not that unhappy about the whole situation
Hope you enjoy the view. As always - any comments/critique & processing suggestions are gratefully received.
Here's a bigger (much nicer) version
Details:
150x 180sec subs
Celestron OAG
C14 non edge @f7 with the Starizona reducer LF
EQ8 pro
Asi2600mc pro gain 100 (L-ULtimate Fileter)
Asi290mm / celestron OAG
ZWO EAF
ASIAIR pro / APP / PI
Binned (scaled) 60% in processing
Thanks for looking.