6 Hours on the Chameleon Dark Cloud Complex II

[AstroJason (Jason)]

That title is a bit of a tongue twister!

But yes, as it says, this is 6 hours on the Chameleon Dark Cloud Complex II. All 10 minute subs, shot with my Canon 6D in 2023 through my Skywatcher Esprit 100. Just finished processing it the other day.

I was a little unsure about posting this image, for one I believe it needs a lot more data and two, I'm not 100% happy with my processing.

Click here for the full res version on my AstroBin

But figured I would post it to get some feedback on what you guys might think? Cheers

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Quite dramatic, very cool dust/molecular cloud field "Imhotep Sands of Time"

As way of feedback, overall it looks pretty good to me, the only minor thing, it feels perhaps just a tad over smoothed/noise reduction? but not bad, hey, it's faint and probably just needs a bit more exposure .

Mike

[Dennis]

That is quite a stunning cosmic scene, it looks quite 3 dimensional with all the curtains of nebulosity.

I am impressed with what you have achieved with the Canon 6D, pushed well beyond its normal day time purpose.

Looks very pleasing to these eyes.

Dennis.

[Retrograde (Pete)]

Nicely done, Jason!

I think it's a difficult balance when processing this type of object: wanting to make it bright enough to be the highlight of the image whilst still keeping it looking wispy and ethereal.

[Mattysouth (Matt)]

Amazing image 😍

[astronobob (Bob)]

Spectacular & mighty fine work from Dslr data Jason, looking real natural, 3D and quite an eye-pop that white dust, Im not sure why its called A Dark Cloud Complex ...
Real nicely done ...

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Quite dramatic, very cool dust/molecular cloud field "Imhotep Sands of Time"

As way of feedback, overall it looks pretty good to me, the only minor thing, it feels perhaps just a tad over smoothed/noise reduction? but not bad, hey, it's faint and probably just needs a bit more exposure .

Mike

That would be a good name for the image! A lot of dramatic looking dust out there. Cheers Mike, I think that is exactly what this needs, more exposure time, hence I wouldn't have needed as much noise reduction and that would have made processing a little easier. I am tempted to do a couple more panels on this area but gee gonna need a lot of clear nights for that!

Originally Posted by Dennis

That is quite a stunning cosmic scene, it looks quite 3 dimensional with all the curtains of nebulosity.

I am impressed with what you have achieved with the Canon 6D, pushed well beyond its normal day time purpose.

Looks very pleasing to these eyes.

Dennis.

Thank you Dennis, these dark nebulae really do give off a 3D effect. I have been surprised what the 6D can do. For an almost 13 year old camera it's served me really well!

Originally Posted by Retrograde

Nicely done, Jason!

I think it's a difficult balance when processing this type of object: wanting to make it bright enough to be the highlight of the image whilst still keeping it looking wispy and ethereal.

Agree it is a difficult balance and that's one of the very things I struggled with processing this image. I felt I kept making the nebula too bright and had to keep toning it down. But felt it needed to be at a certain level which I think can't be achieved with only 6 hours of integration.

Originally Posted by Mattysouth

Amazing image 😍

Cheers Matt

Originally Posted by astronobob

Spectacular & mighty fine work from Dslr data Jason, looking real natural, 3D and quite an eye-pop that white dust, Im not sure why its called A Dark Cloud Complex ...
Real nicely done ...

Thanks Bob, I have always been impressed with the 6D. good point! It's not dark at all!