NGC 7293 Helix

Lester · #1 09-10-2010, 11:05 AM

Hi all, got my astro fix last night after having some issues with the Losmandy Titan mount. Started off with some avis of Jupiter, that turned out mediocre. Got 11 x 5 minute exposures of the Helix with astro 40D and 14" LX200 at F6.3 . Stacked in DSS and processing in Photoshop with curves only.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...O3200Final.jpg

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #2 09-10-2010, 12:14 PM

A little more contrast and this image will jump out at you.
I love it though...how can you go past the Helix.

desler · #3 09-10-2010, 12:30 PM

Yeah, I agree with JJJ, a little more data and it's going to be one to be framed. Nicley Done!

Darren

Lester · #4 09-10-2010, 01:52 PM

Thanks JJ and Darren for your comments. I may have another go at it tonight. All the best.

TrevorW · #5 09-10-2010, 04:16 PM

PAR elsewhere

Lester · #6 09-10-2010, 04:18 PM

Bit more contrast in this one with curves.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...recontrast.jpg

Alchemy (Clive) · #7 09-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Looking good so far, a bit more exposure will fill out the density and give you a very nice pic for the wall

multiweb (Marc) · #8 09-10-2010, 07:10 PM

Looks great so far. More data is all you need.

Hagar (Doug) · #9 10-10-2010, 05:31 PM

Very nice Lester, looks like we are imaging the same target. It's been trying but finally getting some where. Should be interesting to compare the two.

Lester · #10 10-10-2010, 06:52 PM

Thanks Clive, Marc and Doug for your comments. Doug I have just removed the 14" SCT from its mount and getting ready for some wide field imaging. After a year of less than ideal seeing I have given up on Jupiter. So more data with the 14" on the Helix will have to wait. I am looking forward to using the Takahashi 160mm F3.3 Astrograph.

All the best.

Lester · #11 16-10-2010, 06:06 PM

Hi all, I had some vignetting in this image and been playing around with it. What do you think?

Shiraz (Ray) · #12 16-10-2010, 07:37 PM

Hi Lester
I really like the second version that you posted
regards Ray

Lester · #13 16-10-2010, 07:42 PM

Thanks Ray, I appreciate your comment. All the best.

mill (Martin) · #14 16-10-2010, 08:00 PM

Lester it is looking great, you just need more data to get rid of some noise

Lester · #15 16-10-2010, 08:03 PM

Thanks Martin. All I need is clouds and Moon to go and I will be onto it. All the best.

mill (Martin) · #16 16-10-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

Thanks Martin. All I need is clouds and Moon to go and I will be onto it. All the best.

Tell me about it

It is becoming a pain in the $#%@

Lester · #17 16-10-2010, 11:07 PM

Tweeked in Astra Image.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #18 17-10-2010, 08:23 AM

You are working along the right paths Lester, the second last one looks good but a little bright and washed out. The sweet spot looks to be somewhere between that and the last one maybe...

.

The Helix needs lots of exposure

Mike

Lester · #19 17-10-2010, 09:02 AM

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your expert eye/comments. All the best.