Horsehead with more data

iceman (Mike) · #1 07-01-2008, 07:30 AM

The last clear night was on the 28th December, and while waiting for some other targets to rise higher, I thought I'd try and capture some more horsehead/flame data and try adding it to the data from the previous session on the 14th December.

I took 9 exposures @ 300s each (ISO800), to add to the previous 55 minutes of data. The exposures were calibrated with flats, however not darks as I used ICNR with the lights.

All frames aligned, rotated and added in ImagesPlus. Processing included DDP in ImagesPlus, followed by Photoshop for noise reduction, levels, curves, saturation etc.

All taken with the unmodded 350D on the ED80 with WO 0.8x II reducer/flattener. Guided using a 80mm f/5 refractor, DMK21AU04 and PHD guiding.

Compared to the previous attempt, I'm happy with how this one has turned out. It's a small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. You can see that the extra data has allowed some extra stretching and some fainter nebulosity to be captured, as well as giving more depth in the star colours.

For an unmodded camera, I'm pleased with the result and that'll do me for the horsehead for this Orion season. It could still use more data to remove the blotchiness from the very faint nebulosity, but other targets are on the rise and it's time to move on

Next capture/processing challenge is to get off ICNR and go back to taking darks.. so much time is wasted on ICNR but the results are definitely better than what I achieve with separate darks.

Thanks for looking.

theodog (Jeff) · #2 07-01-2008, 07:39 AM

Nice image there Mike. Looking smooth and natural.
Hopefully skies are clearing.

jase (Jason) · #3 07-01-2008, 09:03 AM

You should be happy with that Mike. A fine effort. Try hitting some other targets to maintain interest and present different processing challenges. Variety is the spice of life. Keep at it.

zipdrive (Dave) · #4 07-01-2008, 03:44 PM

That's pretty good result from an unmodded 350d, well done

EzyStyles (Eric) · #5 07-01-2008, 05:04 PM

very nice mike esp coming out of an unmodded dslr.

Alchemy (Clive) · #6 07-01-2008, 06:32 PM

good to see you are persisting with the deep sky imaging,.... curious as to why taking darks doesnt work for you.

Cheers

iceman (Mike) · #7 07-01-2008, 06:34 PM

Thanks guys.

Alchemy I'm really enjoying deep-space imaging, and want to do more of it if I had more clear, moonless skies.

Re Darks, this is the reason why I've stopped using them for now, and use ICNR instead.

Alchemy (Clive) · #8 07-01-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Re Darks, this is the reason why I've stopped using them for now, and use ICNR instead.

hmmmm... interesting fortunately i dont seem to have that much of a problem with mine, you could try a dithering process so that the spots will apear at different locations and thus average out.(only a sugestion)

dcalleja · #9 07-01-2008, 07:22 PM

Beautiful image with a really nice 3D feel to it. This one also seems smoother than your 1st.