Well.
Here it is, proper first light for the SBIG STL-11000M and the Takahashi FSQ-106N. My very first ever hydrogen alpha + LRGB image. This is the first time I've ever combined monochrome images to form a composite. Wow, what a rush it was to finally see colour on screen.
Click
here.
It's only taken me, what, nearly a year to take my first proper image since purchasing this immaculate gear? I think the wait was worth it.
This image was captured over six nights, totalling 10.5 hours of data. That's right, I don't do anything half-arsed.
To say that I'm pleased would be an understatement.
Would love to hear from the seasoned monochrome imagers as to things that could be improved.
I ditched IRIS and switched to MaxIm DL 5 to calibrate, register, align and stretch. I really miss IRIS' stellar registration routine, as it's second to none, but, IRIS is really designed more for DSLR work.
H-alpha+LRGB; 160 187.5 93.75 93.75 93.75
H-alpha and L bin 1x1, RGB bin 2x2
H-alpha was blended as a luminosity layer at an opacity of 64% to help suppress the overwhelming star field and to provide further contrast/definition in the nebula. Slightly cropped to remove registration artifacts between frames and to maintain a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Dedicated to Frank (spearo) and his partner Lisa for all their hospitality and kindness. Thanks, guys.
Comments, critique, etc., most welcome.
H