5 Hours on M20

[AstroJason (Jason)]

So, firstly, this is the first image I’ve ever processed from an actual dedicated astro camera. Secondly, it’s also the first image I’ve ever processed using PixInsight—so a couple of firsts!

Having used DSLRs for many years, I’ve been very happy with the results I was getting, always surprising myself with what I was able to achieve using gear that really wasn’t intended for astrophotography. Something about that made me feel a bit more proud of my resulting images, if that makes sense.

They also say, “Go slow in astro—don’t rush in,” and I certainly haven’t! I joined this site in 2012 and have been imaging on and off since. And so yes, I’ve just now started to dip my toes into using an actual astro camera! Though it’s not mine— a very kind chap that some of you know on this forum, Adrian (AG Hybrid), lent me his ZWO ASI 533MC Pro to try out. I hadn’t got around to using the camera until last week, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

The FOV is a little tight; I’m used to using my Canon 6D and have been spoiled by its huge full-frame sensor. So the 533 has taken some getting used to. But wow, it’s a powerful little camera. However, processing in Photoshop only also has its limits, so I bit the bullet and figured I should make the most of this data and try out PixInsight. And wow—the difference it’s made to my images has blown my mind! I’ve been going through old data and reprocessing it with PixInsight, and the improvements are remarkable. So I’m going to have a lot of fun over the coming weeks and months processing all my old Canon 6D data using what are now new techniques to me!

Anyway, onto the image—this is M20, the Trifid Nebula, for those who don’t know. It’s only 5 hours of integration and does not have any calibration frames. Processed in PixInsight and then Photoshop (I can’t escape Photoshop), though it’s possible that once I’m more familiar with PixInsight, I may not need Photoshop in the future. Part of the PixInsight process I used includes Russell Croman’s Blur, Star, and Noise XTerminators. Some people love them, some don’t—but I have to say, what I’ve seen them do to this data, as well as to my old data, is incredible. It’s kind of addictive flicking back and forth to see the difference after each step.

Equipment used:
SkyWatcher NEQ6 Mount
SkyWatcher Esprit 100ED
SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED
ZWO ASIAIR Plus
ZWO EAF
ZWO ASI 120MM Mini Guide Camera
ZWO ASI 533MC Pro (set to -20°C)
Integration time: 5 hours
Calibration frames: None
Stacking: DSS
Processing: PixInsight and Photoshop

Larger image on my Flickr here I might have to start an AstroBin account seeing Flickr have restricted their resolutions since I last uploaded an image there.
UPDATE: I have now setup an AstroBin account for the higher resolution image which you can access here.

I've viewed the image on a couple monitors and phones and it looks good to me. Am I going about this the right way? Processing over/under done? Cheers!

[gregbradley]

A terrific image Jason and congrats on taking on so many new things all at once!

Very sharp and detailed and I am surprised at how far out the blue O111 area goes. Its quite faint near the top of the image but still visible. I haven't seen it that extensive before.

You could increase the colour saturation a bit I think. It's currently quite pastel.

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

What Greg said, a very nice looking Trifid, well done

Mike

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

A terrific image Jason and congrats on taking on so many new things all at once!

Very sharp and detailed and I am surprised at how far out the blue O111 area goes. Its quite faint near the top of the image but still visible. I haven't seen it that extensive before.

You could increase the colour saturation a bit I think. It's currently quite pastel.

Greg.

Thanks for the kind words Greg. As I was stretching the data I could see more and more blue nebulous regions popping out. It surprised me with only 5 hours of data that there was that much there.

And cheers for the feedback, I didn't want to go over the top with it. So difficult to tell on my cheap monitors and phone how that saturation is looking, it's great to get a different perspective from others. Glad I didn't over cook it though, I will give it a boost in saturation.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

What Greg said, a very nice looking Trifid, well done

Mike

Thanks Mike, much appreciated and glad you like it.

Cheers guys

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Nice work Jason!

You most definitely captured a bucket load of that surrounding nebulosity. You're on the right track hands down, astro cams are hands down the way to go. I remember going form my canon 550d to Nikon d610 to the asi1600, every jump was exciting. I'm due to upgrade the 1600 but its a hard choice in direction now haha. All the best.

[Retrograde (Pete)]

That's nice and deep, Jason. An impressive image all round for first light.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

That's a lovely image Jason

And cheers for the feedback, I didn't want to go over the top with it. So difficult to tell on my cheap monitors and phone how that saturation is looking, it's great to get a different perspective from others. Glad I didn't over cook it though, I will give it a boost in saturation.

Something I mention often to various people, if your monitor isn't colour calibrated you're not seeing the same results as someone whose monitor is. I guess most people who do this do calibrate the monitors.
Even a cheap monitor calibrated with one of the many cheap-ish devices is good. I even saw one given away in the classifieds once, a week after I paid $100 for the same thing.

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Originally Posted by Cosmic

Nice work Jason!

You most definitely captured a bucket load of that surrounding nebulosity. You're on the right track hands down, astro cams are hands down the way to go. I remember going form my canon 550d to Nikon d610 to the asi1600, every jump was exciting. I'm due to upgrade the 1600 but its a hard choice in direction now haha. All the best.

Thanks Daniel, yeah definitely seeing that with this data. I am just used to having full frame with my 6D. I'm finding the 533MC to be a little too tight with framing. Obviously the 2600MM is an option for me but again, after using the 533MC I don't really want to go to a smaller sensor than full frame. And gee the jump to 6200MM is huge in terms of cost. I guess you would be in a similar situation, although the 2600MM would be a jump from the 1600MM at least.

Originally Posted by Retrograde

That's nice and deep, Jason. An impressive image all round for first light.

Thank you Pete, much appreciated. I was pretty happy with the result considering the firsts.

Originally Posted by Leo.G

That's a lovely image Jason

Something I mention often to various people, if your monitor isn't colour calibrated you're not seeing the same results as someone whose monitor is. I guess most people who do this do calibrate the monitors.
Even a cheap monitor calibrated with one of the many cheap-ish devices is good. I even saw one given away in the classifieds once, a week after I paid $100 for the same thing.

Thanks Leo. Funny you mention that, I was watching a video on YouTube about calibrated monitors last night. Pretty interesting as I didn't know how cheap you could get them for. I'll have to look into it. Cheers again for that