Ngc 4945

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Err...no not with the PL16803 yet, sorry

While I wait for the weather to clear to test the new camera ... I was encoraged by Paul Haese's image of NGC 4945 to revisit my old data on it taken back in April 2006. Since this data set was acquired my processing skills have improved I guess (?) and this time I wanted to reveal the intricate detail a little better that characterises this very dusty and redened galaxy as well as the outer faint halo that encircles most of the galaxy. The dusty streamers that eminate from both sides of the galactic disc, rather like NGC 253, and dark lanes hovering away from the galaxy edge within the halo are quite cool too.

This image was composed using poor colour data collected in 2005 using an 80ED refractor, when scaled up it was pretty crappy but oh well it kinda did the trick

ED: Paul your shot of NGC 4945 is fantatstic by the way and your FOV really suits this galaxy and better than mine I recon..? thanks for the inspiration to have another go at my old data

Lum: AP152EDF + SXVH-9 - 60min
Coulor: Orion ED80 + SXV-H9 - 30 10 10 15min

Full Frame
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...80484/original

Close up of a busy almost violent looking galaxy
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...86833/original

Mike

[TrevorW]

Based on the mixed data and up-scaling this is a fine testament of your prooessing skills

[alexch (Alex)]

Very nice processing, Mike. The contrast between the dust lanes and halo make it look three-dimensional. A pleasure to look at.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I love this Galaxy, you've processed it to a turn.
Thanks Mike.

[Lester]

Hi Mike, the colours are very vibrant = outstanding image.

[DavidU (Dave)]

Very nice ! Interesting you used L data from the AP.
Now...... Mike....... where is the new cam images????

[Garyh]

Well for old data it really looks outstanding!
Dust lanes, halo and the brighter knotty bits look beautiful!

[Paul Haese]

Man I am encouraging Sid to Do a SID. Far out, that is awesome.

Nice data and the reprocess is pretty good. Heaps of colour and detail showing well.

Thanks Mike for the compliment.

[AlexN]

Lovely 3d depth to it mate.. the galaxy really pops out from the background...

[PeterM]

Oh wow, talk about showing off your years of hard work! How stunning is that!
Gobsmacked.
Congrats.
PeterM.

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Aaah Mike - it sure is a beautiful galaxy isn't it!!! And it's interesting to see how increasing processing skills can improve an old image. I love the detail in yours - spectacular! You inspired me to see what a mere 12 months more experience can do so I went back and improved my version a bit to. Not finished yet, but it's amazing what a properly deconvoluted Lum layer can do! .

Cheers, Marcus

[Tandum (Robin)]

Obviously mega pixel count isn't everthing you can get great results with a quality 1.3Mp camera.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Glad you liked it guys

Sorry it was another repro (that I am so infamous for ) but I promise I will get the new camera out under the stars ASAP and hopefully get a brand new never done before image......to reprocess a few times .

Yes a a small 1.3Mp Starlightxpress camera is way underated in the minds of so many, there are a lot of "followers" when it comes to buying imaging equipment and a lot of great (and often better) equipment gets overlooked I am afraid Robin . The SXV-H9 I have (now my autoguider) is very similar to your HX916 and was an absolute sinch to use, never used darks as they weren't necessary so the lack of regulated cooling was a non issue. Sensitive, small and light - great cameras!

Mike

[Tandum (Robin)]

Not to worry Mike, one of these two 8300's will have to go sooner or later and I'll keep the 916.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Aaah Mike - it sure is a beautiful galaxy isn't it!!! And it's interesting to see how increasing processing skills can improve an old image. I love the detail in yours - spectacular! You inspired me to see what a mere 12 months more experience can do so I went back and improved my version a bit to. Not finished yet, but it's amazing what a properly deconvoluted Lum layer can do! .

Cheers, Marcus

Marcus your 4945 is just the bomb and a superior image to this version for sure

Mine or course was taken 4 and 5 years ago when I was still in nappies , with much less focal length, no adaptive optics and I only had 60min of Lum. The upscaled insufficient colour data did me no favours either.

Perhaps I will do it again sometime ...but then again with the big 16803 chip now I may overlook it for a while yet..?

Mike