[jase (Jason)]

Originally Posted by prova

Awesome mate!

Thanks Mark!

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Jase

Okay, after a good night’s rest I’m sufficiently recovered to have a look at your second offering, Thor’s Helmet. Much like haute cuisine, I just couldn’t digest more than one of these amazing images at one sitting and do them justice.

The first and most obvious feature that struck me was simply the size of the main subject; I have always seen this object as a relatively small target in a large field so I was astonished to see the Helmet filling my screen. The next characteristic that leaps out was the extraordinary detail in the structure of the nebula – this has to be the best image of this object ever produced, or at least that I have seen.

The detail in the helmet and the horns is breathtaking and I love the “lace” effect where the background stars are shining through the tendrils that make up the “veil” of the main helmet.

Now that you have finished with your close up of this fascinating object, be sure to return it to its original location, some 15,000 light-years away!

Cheers

Dennis

I didn't mean for the images be so exhausting for you Dennis. Perhaps they're best viewed in small doses, so one can take in the enormity. The Helmet was interesting to process. It was originally planned for a SHO palette, but I was too impressed with the Ha and OIII data alone. I haven't done many narrowband and broadband blends before. They typically upset the narrowband purist, but when aesthetics are on the line, we're not going for going for technicality! My goal is not to just image something for the hell of imaging it, but to produce a memorable rendition that people (myself included) will come back for another look - Orion's belt is a classic example of this. Thanks again for your response - always a pleasure to read.

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Whoa!! That Orion's belt mosaic is just fabulous Jase!! Dare I say possible APOD material? So nice to see you blowing the dust of that measly FSQ too. Frankly, I'm surprised the scope bothered to work for you at all after your blantant, two-timing liaisons with that show pony of a 24"

Cheers, Marcus

Thanks Marcus. Maybe APOD, but probably wont submit it - like all of my images, I just dont send them. I'm not in this for the fame, but solely the pleasure and thrill of processing good data, watch the image come alive. Get a kick out of it everytime. You haven't seen the end of the FSQ. More projects await...just need time to complete them!...or should I say, wean myself off the FL of the insane 24" RC. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by multiweb

Wow. Don't know where to start. Orion widefield was very cool. Thor's Helmet has unbelievable details and colours but my jaws dropped when I opened the galaxy shot. That's as good as it gets

Cheers Marc. Yes, the Cigar galaxy is quite a visually pleasing target...and no Ha data as well to bring out the ejecta. I simply combined the luminance and red filtered subs, then layered this back into the image to bring out this feature. Came at a price though as I'm not happy with the colour noise extension on the ejecta. I'll look at resolving this in due time as it bothers me a little. I was amazed how much dynamic range the galaxy has. I used three layers in PS CS4 to manage the intensity. This provided the ability to manage the details in the core while still obtaining the full extension of the outer regions. DDP wasn't a good candidate as the mid tones were too suppressed. The layers took sometime, but the result speaks for itself. Thanks!

Originally Posted by JohnG

Magnificent Jase, magnificent, what else can one say.......

Cheers

Thanks John. Pleased you liked them!

Originally Posted by Hagar

3 superb images Jase. I was starting to think you had skipped the country. Good to see you back with a vengence.

Really Beautiful. I really love the detail in the Galaxy but the amount of detail around the Orion landscape is outstanding. Looks like the FSQ should get more of a workout. You can always send it up to me and I will keep it warm and working.

Great stuff.

No Doug, well I was OS late Jan for work, but things have settled down a little...for now anyway, so need to get some more imaging done. Dark skies contributed to the details in the Orion's belt mosaic, given that there isn't much data to work with. With fires nearby the observatory (churchill, mirboo north and the prom), I'll wait for the smoke to subside before progressing. Will give me time to complete the planning at least...the FSQ is a keeper...its a fun "all-weather" scope to use. Thanks again.

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Thanks again all!