NGC 55, an Irregular Edge On Galaxy in Sculptor

[nandopg]

Hello,
This is my version of NGC 55. The details of the image are below:

Image:
Luminance: 17x1200sec bin 1x1
RGB: 12x900sec bin 1x1
Pre and Post Processing in Pixinsight

Scope: Skywatcher Esprit 120mm f/7
Camera: ST8300M with internal filter wheel and OAG
Guider: Lodestar

The link for the full resolution image is here:
http://cdn.astrobin.com/images/thumb...%20nandopg.jpg

And for adjusted page is here:
http://www.astrobin.com/full/108771/0/

Thanks for looking,

Fernando

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

That's a very good image of this galaxy Ferno The subtle colouring works well in this case, nice work

Mike

[Shiraz (Ray)]

very impressive image Fernando - detail is extraordinary.

[alpal]

Hi Fernando,
that's a great picture.
I hope to image this galaxy - one day soon.
I think it could do with a little LAB colour boost via a mask just on the galaxy.
I'll have a go if you want? -
but you have marked your pic as copyright so I wouldn't do so without your permission.

cheers
Allan

[nandopg]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

That's a very good image of this galaxy Ferno The subtle colouring works well in this case, nice work

Mike

Thank you Mike, appreciated it.

Originally Posted by Shiraz

very impressive image Fernando - detail is extraordinary.

Hi Ray, thank you so much. I took 3 days to complete this image and fortunately they all had good seeing.

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Fernando,
that's a great picture.
I hope to image this galaxy - one day soon.
I think it could do with a little LAB colour boost via a mask just on the galaxy.
I'll have a go if you want? -
but you have marked your pic as copyright so I wouldn't do so without your permission.

cheers
Allan

Hi Allan,
Thank your for your comment. Although I am not a real fan of images over saturated, you can do what ever you want with this image to fill better your taste. The copyright is thing from Astrobin where I have my images posted. I forget all the time turn it off. So, go ahead and make your try.

Best Regards to all my friends,

Fernando

[alpal]

Hi Fernando,

Here's a quick version with your data in the staging area at Astrobin.

http://www.astrobin.com/108958/

I made a feathered mask for the galaxy & boosted in LAB mode with a bias towards blue & red.
I also later selected the stars and added 1.5 pixels of blurring.
Do you like this better?

cheers
Allan

[astronobob (Bob)]

Very Natural looking Fernando, dig the silvery blue galaxy central highlights, great resolutions too

[RickS (Rick)]

Very nice, Fernando. I like the understated elegance of this one.

[nandopg]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Fernando,

Here's a quick version with your data in the staging area at Astrobin.

http://www.astrobin.com/108958/

I made a feathered mask for the galaxy & boosted in LAB mode with a bias towards blue & red.
I also later selected the stars and added 1.5 pixels of blurring.
Do you like this better?

cheers
Allan

Hi Allan,
Thank you so much for your time to analyze and re-work the image. The most important here is if you liked the new version. If you do, then I am more than happy. I liked your version too.

Thanks again,
Fernando

Originally Posted by astronobob

Very Natural looking Fernando, dig the silvery blue galaxy central highlights, great resolutions too

Hi Bob,
Thank you !! I am still trying to get a Newt like the one you were selling, but the cost of shipping to here is prohibitive.

Best Regards,
Fernando

Originally Posted by RickS

Very nice, Fernando. I like the understated elegance of this one.

Rick,
Thank you so much for your kind comment, I greatly appreciated it.

Best Regards,
Fernando

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

a beautiful shot Fernando, thanks for sharing.

[alpal]

Fernando,

Hi Allan,
Thank you so much for your time to analyze and re-work the image. The most important here is if you liked the new version. If you do, then I am more than happy. I liked your version too.

Thanks again,
Fernando

Hi Fernando,
I just thought a bit more colour would look better &
show the nebulas inside the galaxy.
It's almost as if everyone needs to publish 2 images -
one as normal - the way it came out -
& other enhanced for colour with LAB mode.

cheers
Allan

[nandopg]

Originally Posted by alpal

Fernando,



Hi Fernando,
I just thought a bit more colour would look better &
show the nebulas inside the galaxy.
It's almost as if everyone needs to publish 2 images -
one as normal - the way it came out -
& other enhanced for colour with LAB mode.

cheers
Allan

Hi Allan,
Yes, I should say that I agree with you. I will follow your advice, which is a good one, from now on.

Thanks a lot,

Fernando

[alpal]

Originally Posted by nandopg

Hi Allan,
Yes, I should say that I agree with you. I will follow your advice, which is a good one, from now on.

Thanks a lot,

Fernando

Thanks Fernando,
Your data is fantastic.
I think there might be even more in your data e.g.
this APOD
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap081010.html

The galaxy appears larger in width.


If your stack result was saved in 32 bits FITS & stretched in FITS Liberator
with maximum compression of x^(1/5) then maybe you could lighten the background to
about 35 on the black point & get the outer reaches of the galaxy to come through?
At the moment your black point is about 20.
Please forgive me if you have already done the above?

cheers
Allan

[gregbradley]

Very nice Fernando.

Greg.

[Suzy]

As a visual observer, this is one of my favourite galaxies to observe. And we also enjoy our black & white pics & sketches , but I really love the colourised version that you've done here Allan. Its very natural and not over done and shows those nebulous patches beautifully. Even tho I like b&w, we also like to know where that action is happening don't we.
It's a lovely image, thank you Fernando.

[nandopg]

Hi guys,
Thank you so much for the generous comments and appreciation.

A special thanks to Allan for his re-work and healthy advices.

Regards to all my freinds,

Fernando