Bit of a lazy effort here by me, and I will collect more data but I have been chomping at the bit to produce a RGB colour image with this system for months. Guiding was reasonable, seeing was about average for my site and transparency was ok too.
Taken over only three nights with 11 hours of integration (a mini data session for me ), though I am going to collect more data to bring out the faint blue star ring which is located about 10-7 oclock and about three fingers from the main galaxy in an arc. I also want to collect more data on the vertical column of stars that Rolf captured when he did his mega effort. And; of course the shells need more data yet too. Not to mention the noise in the back ground of the image.
Overall though I really the detail this scope can deliver. There are still some niggling issues that need fine tuning with the system and I am waiting on an adapter for the flattener so it will be at the correct distance.
Looks very nice Paul. It just so happens that I am imaging Centarus A right now - you've given me a high bar to get to with that beautiful image. Your the RC master for sure.
Hi Paul,
that is beautifully processed - great stars & detail.
It looks very professional.
cheers
Allan
Thanks Allan. Not sure about professional but I tried to find a balance between fine detail and contrast level. The image could take quite a few iterations of sharpening before I got to this point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Very impressive result for 11 hours, Paul. Look forward to the final version!
Thanks Rick. I was surprised at the smoothness of the data after such a short integration time but then again it is very bright as far as galaxies go. With any luck I will get a night or two very soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
That's looking terrific. Very luminous and some great colour in the core with very sharp detail.
Greg.
Thanks Greg. The luminance layer I did a fairly step stretch in CCDstack, and that resulted in a very high luminosity. Some selective medium curves and that gave it some pop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJT
Great image. The detail there is quite something and I like the colours here, the blue at 7, as you say is great.
Thanks David, I new about the line of gas and dust pointing away from the galaxy, but in researching the object I came across the arc of blue stars which can be imaged. So I am keen to see if I can get it brighter than just a smear at present.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend
Looks very nice Paul. It just so happens that I am imaging Centarus A right now - you've given me a high bar to get to with that beautiful image. Your the RC master for sure.
Thanks Glen for the high praise but I am definitely not the RC master. I do acknowledge that I have learnt a lot about RC scopes and how to get them working well since buying one. Collimation is the key with these scopes and owning a tak scope for collimation is mandatory.
Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb
Great shot. Central dust is amazing. Lots of faint fuzzies in the field too.
Thanks Mark, the central bar is not bad for the size of this scope. I think it compares fairly well with images from larger scopes.
Paul its great to see your Truss RC really does spit out some terrific images.
The detail and resolution is superb and makes my efforts look like child's play.
Cant wait to see your next version with the added Data
Hi Paul, that looks awesome. I really want to see the final product because what you have so far is stunning. The field, color, detail, and contrast are excellent in this image.
Very pretty indeed Paul, the dust lane has an impressive natural and detailed look to it! You also seem to have captured some of the inner jet, 1/2 way down from the centre in the 6 o'clock position, nice work
The top left corner looks very dark/slightly clipped, but perhaps that's just my monitor?
As for the halo I would probably say it is reddish rather than white, as expected for an elliptical galaxy. It did appear very red in my original data - but almost everyone processes it as white . I'd be curious to know how it appeared in your raw data?
Thanks John, Michael and Graham for your comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyViking
Very pretty indeed Paul, the dust lane has an impressive natural and detailed look to it! You also seem to have captured some of the inner jet, 1/2 way down from the centre in the 6 o'clock position, nice work
The top left corner looks very dark/slightly clipped, but perhaps that's just my monitor?
As for the halo I would probably say it is reddish rather than white, as expected for an elliptical galaxy. It did appear very red in my original data - but almost everyone processes it as white . I'd be curious to know how it appeared in your raw data?
Thanks Rolf, I saw the jet but think it will be more prominent with more time collecting data. Well at least that is the theory. Based on your image and I hope that I don't have to collect that much data to have the same impact.
The top left corner is clipped for sure and is hiding some noise at present. I hope with more time it will reduce the noise level.
In my base combined image the halo is like a milk white colour, so maybe I don't have enough colour data to really bring out the halo colour just yet.
), though I am going to collect more data to bring out the faint blue star ring which is located about 10-7 oclock and about three fingers from the main galaxy in an arc. I also want to collect more data on the vertical column of stars that Rolf captured when he did his mega effort. And; of course the shells need more data yet too. Not to mention the noise in the back ground of the image. 
. I'd be curious to know how it appeared in your raw data?
