This was taken over the last new moon weekend at Wiruna. Big galaxy, but really faint surface brightness. I had to push quite hard to bring out decent colour.
Larger version here http://www.astrobin.com/189640/. Click on the image for a huge version.
Details:
Telescope: 12.5" Plane Wave CDK
Mount: AP900
Camera: FLI Proline 16803
Exposure: 6 x 10min each of L, R, G and B, all binned 1 x 1.
FOV: 48' x 47'
Processing: PixInsight
Geoff
I have been meaning to image this object for such a long time, you have done a fantastic job of teasing out the structure, not bad for 30 million light years away
Very nice Geoff, lovely and colourful aaand those stars are excellent . Really is a very delicate galaxy this one.
Mike
Thanks Mike. Looks like it must be a good pic to get a comment from you without any reservations.
Don't get me wrong though, I appreciate your constructive criticism*. Taking it on board helps to improve the skills.
*well, except when you said my ngc1232 was rubbish.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Regulus
The extra push was well worth it Geoff. Pretty good detail and stars. Attractive colour too.
Well done.
Thanks Mike. Looks like it must be a good pic to get a comment from you without any reservations.
Don't get me wrong though, I appreciate your constructive criticism*. Taking it on board helps to improve the skills.
*well, except when you said my ngc1232 was rubbish.
Well I can say that now, cause your latest is so good ...can't I?
All good fun mate, all good fun, this hobby (yep that's what it is) really should stay happy and fun, sure strive for great results but if we get too serious about what we do and more importantly about ourselves , well, it only leads to stress and anxiety (and lots of money being spent )...over what? getting a pretty picture? sheesh.
Loooove your gear and your work... reservations or not
I like it Geoff. There are some really interesting little knots of hydrogen that you have captured. And; I like the subtle detail in the bar. Nicely done.
Hi Geoff,
What a beautiful picture.
Thanks for sharing.
cheers
Allan
Thanks Allan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rex
Wow Geoff, that is stunning. Lovely colour, nice dark back ground and really nicely processed. Great job mate.
Thanks Rex. At first go the processing didn't really work very well, but then I gave it some careful thought as to why it wasn't working and on the second go it flowed though like a charm. Moral is to treat each image on its strengths and weaknesses, not to have a rigid workflow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese
I like it Geoff. There are some really interesting little knots of hydrogen that you have captured. And; I like the subtle detail in the bar. Nicely done.
Thanks Paul. I was lucky with the seeing. About to pack up at 3am when I noticed the FWHM dropping to around 2", so I shot a quick hour of luminance and discarded some of the earlier subs.
You've done well on this image Geoff, its not an easy target. Great colour and an interesting looking image. Star colours are particularly nice.Galaxy colours perhaps a tad off (the blue is not quite right).
4 hours is a bit skinny on exposure time but it looks good regardless. Extra exposure time would give the galaxy more depth as there is a fair bit more to the body of it. Your stars look great except they are a bit dominant in the image. Personal taste perhaps but the image may work better if the stars were receded a tad.
I usually see this galaxy the other way up (its inverted?).I am surprised you got so much for 4 hours really I suppose that is a testament to how good your skies are.
Your CDK12.5 is a nice scope.Its interesting how the 12.5 is different to the rest of the CDKs being longer focal length and F ratio.
Have you ever thought of the 14?
Greg.
Thanks for positive comments Greg. Some comments inserted into your quote below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
You've done well on this image Geoff, its not an easy target. Great colour and an interesting looking image. Star colours are particularly nice.Galaxy colours perhaps a tad off (the blue is not quite right).
4 hours is a bit skinny on exposure time but it looks good regardless. Extra exposure time would give the galaxy more depth as there is a fair bit more to the body of it. Your stars look great except they are a bit dominant in the image. Personal taste perhaps but the image may work better if the stars were receded a tad.
I intend to take more data over the next new moon period at Wiruna. I could have a go at the stars, but the last time I tried that I had that Sidonio fellow pointing it out, so it will have to be done CAREFULLY.
I usually see this galaxy the other way up (its inverted?).I am surprised you got so much for 4 hours really I suppose that is a testament to how good your skies are. Good skies yes, but the processing was a bit of a struggle.
Your CDK12.5 is a nice scope.Its interesting how the 12.5 is different to the rest of the CDKs being longer focal length and F ratio.
Have you ever thought of the 14? Not sure my finances will stretch to US$15000 for the 14".
Greg.
. Really is a very delicate galaxy this one.
...can't I? 
, well, it only leads to stress and anxiety (and lots of money being spent 
)...over what? getting a pretty picture? sheesh.
