NGC 6164 - An Egg in Ara (30hrs Incubation)

[Dave882 (David)]

Following on from my previous attempt, I've managed, thanks to some lovely clear nights this last month, to accumulate just over 30hrs on NGC6164.

On top of tripling my previous data - I've also made use of some new-found PI processing options to give a bit of a boost to the overall result. After stacking in APP (utilising the extract Ha/Oiii options to provide 2 separate channels), I've also used StarExterminator to allow me to process the stars and nebulosity separately. This was a HUGE advantage and I honestly think I'll struggle to go back to the old ways after this now. I used the FOREX panel for recombination - but in hindsight I'm not sure I like this colour palette over the natural look I'm used to - just at this point I couldn't work out how to do it manually in pixelmath. NoiseEx and a pass of BlurEx (stars & decon) was also used and seemed to be effective without introducing unwanted artefacts.

I usually don't like starless images - but here I thought it brought a surprisingly different overall feel - and since it was already there I just kept this as a second option prior to final recombination.

I'm happy with the increased depth to those shells - but can't help but think there's still more detail there if my processing was a bit better. The background Ha was intriguing and I made the decision to bring that forward a bit with GHS/CurvesTransform - lots and lots of time playing with different processing pathways, but really enjoyed the journey on this one...Keen to know your thoughts...worth a repro with different colour??

Bigger images:
Stars
Starless

Details:
30.3hrs @ 300sec 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 / GIMP
Binned (scaled) 80% in processing

Thanks for looking!

[gregbradley]

I really like this image. So much detail in 6164. You've got your C14 singing here.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

A great image David! Well done!

I always prefer images with stars. Starless images have much less gravity.

[TrevorW]

Yes really nice I will definitely have to get more data for mine

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

That's a real beauty Dave!

The palette is different, almost sepia tone, maybe not everyone's cup of tea..?.. but it seems to give it an air of class, a certain je ne sais quoi, as it were, I like it

The considerable effort has paid off IMO, nice job indeed

Oh and yes, stars pleeease

Mike

[Retrograde (Pete)]

Great stuff Dave!
Really nice to see this small object in so much depth and detail.

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks guys much appreciated. Yeah I have to agree the stars really add something to the image- heaps more perceived contrast and clarity. But having them gone for processing was heavenly!!

[Startrek (Martin)]

Beautiful image Dave
A huge effort which has reaped rewards
Sorry I’m not a fan of starless stuff
Well done indeed !!
Cheers
Martin
( From Riverbank , London UK )

[kosborn (Kevin)]

Great image! So much depth!

I agree regarding the stars. It only takes one or two extra hours (not much compared to your 30 hours of integration) to add nice RGB stars.

Well done!

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks Martin - hope you’re having an awesome time away and glad you’re still checkin in from afar!!

Thanks Kevin- yes I think most are in agreement with the stars! I might see if I can work out how to add RGB stars later. Definitely not as easy as just screen & rescreening so have to extend my knowledge in PI first. Do you have a process that you like for this? Cheers

[kosborn (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by Dave882

I might see if I can work out how to add RGB stars later. Definitely not as easy as just screen & rescreening so have to extend my knowledge in PI first. Do you have a process that you like for this? Cheers

I use Starnet in PI to remove stars from the rgb and narrowband images. The narrowband stars can be discarded. After processing stars and NB image, I add the rgb stars to the NB image using pixelmath with this equation, applied to the narrowband image:

~((~image) * (~star_mask))

Obviously, rename the image and star mask to whatever the labels are in your case.

[Dave882 (David)]

Originally Posted by kosborn

I use Starnet in PI to remove stars from the rgb and narrowband images. The narrowband stars can be discarded. After processing stars and NB image, I add the rgb stars to the NB image using pixelmath with this equation, applied to the narrowband image:

~((~image) * (~star_mask))

Obviously, rename the image and star mask to whatever the labels are in your case.

Ok thanks I’ll give it a go

[Addos (Adam)]

lovely shot dave

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Wow what an image. Love those blue wisps billowing out. Really gives it a 3D effect.

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks Jason & Adam! Yeah I was really trying to pull out as much of the blue wispy shells as possible. It’s really faint- some only just perceivable after 30hrs integration.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

The detail in this egg is astounding well done!

[Dave882 (David)]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

The detail in this egg is astounding well done!

Thanks Nik- yes I was really happy with the detail revealed. Cheers!