M16 – The Eagle Nebula

[jase (Jason)]

Hi All,
Well, it’s prime time of the year again for some fine winter targets. I just couldn’t let this mainstream object slip by another season so thought I’d get in early. So without further impediment, I’m pleased to present my latest effort M16 – The Eagle Nebula

The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a prominent and active star forming region located in the constellation Serpens Cauda. The nebula is giant interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas and dust harboring the embryonic stages of stars. The young star cluster NGC6611, can be seen center of the frame. This stellar swarm is relatively young, being around 5.5 million years old and comprises of very hot young blue stars of the spectral type O6. The Eagle Nebula is approximately 7,000 light years distant.

The blurb for those interested…
The image is a Ha[HA+R]GB composite totalling 2.9 hours (Ha:70min;R:35;G:35;B:35). What?! Another GRAS number I hear you say. Indeed it is! I wasn’t going to give in to the star blooming problems that easily. What’s life without a challenge eh? Actually I think I’ve overcome my trepidation of blooms from the TOA150+ST10XME combo. Yeah, yeah, stars still aren’t perfectly round, but this is the best I can offer. My original intention was to only collect the Ha data, then later combine it with RGB collected from the FSQ, but I couldn’t resist nailing some RGB at this focal length to complete the mission. May still do a wide field composite with the data collected.

Not much to report on the processing. Usual drill with image calibration/registration. I paid a little more attention to the bloom removal process, at times going through individual subs one by one to validate the effect (I typically script the routine in MaximDL). Worked on the Ha data to bring out the details – two versions of deconvolution (different deconv. strengths) blended using lighten mode. Ha data blended into the red channel by 20%, before performing dual luminance layering to manage detail and colour. I prefer a more deeper vibrant red tone, compared to faded wussy salmon pink common with Ha blends. Re-layered the RGB stars as lighten mode. Worked ok, as the Ha stars were small and tight, but probably not the best option as I needed push the stars reasonably hard. Lost some spherical smoothness in the process – they look a little “crunchy” IMHO. Applied a few noise reduction masks to reduce dim areas and highlights – took considerable time. Minor colour saturation tweaks for the blue hue before finalising.

No more M16 prize winners for you Mr. Sidonio. <kidding>

With the moon waxing, will need to wait until I can finish other projects. Though may delve into some narrowband again while I have the capacity to image. Anyway, thanks for looking and hope you enjoy it.

Cheers

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

jase, that is one spectacular eagle. the large version shows up the eagle really well . Amazing shot. One of my fav objects indeed.

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

the pillars.....beautifulllll...... gee.ss..

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Lovely image jase,
The "pillars of creation" stand out well.
Way to go Mr Hubble!!!
Doug

[Zuts]

Hi Jase,

Great photo and skillfull processing as usual . I have to ask though, whats happening with your FSQ, I havn't seen a photo with that for ages?

Paul

[RB (Andrew)]

Beautiful image Jase !
An absolutely wonderful shot of M16.

My only constructive comment would be that I would've liked to have seen the black point raised a point or two in each channel to get the histogram starting a little to the right so the shadows will lift slightly.
On my CRT it looks a touch dark in the deepest shadows.

Man I'd love to get into some GRAS time but I wouldn't know where to start.
All I know is working with DSLR data and I'm still trying to learn that.

Looking forward to more of your work.

[Ric]

Hi Jase, another fantastic image. the Eagle is always a timeless subject and you have done it justice.

I'm not qualified enough to comment technically, it just looks fantastic.

Cheers

[Alchemy (Clive)]

I prefer a more deeper vibrant red tone, compared to faded wussy salmon pink common with Ha blends.

given the wussy colour is all can get im used too it, nice smooth tones in that wussy pink though. ive done one but in comparison it was really gritty ...more time needed.

What?! Another GRAS number I hear you say.

why not use the GRAS it gives you access to parts of the sky we normally dont see, im all for it.

may delve into some narrowband again while I have the capacity to image.

it would be nice to see some narrowband images its been a LONG time since you put one up, i remember i commented on the red stars.... subsequent research found out thats normal...... they actually grow on you once youve seen a few.


cheers for now
clive.

[jase (Jason)]

Originally Posted by EzyStyles

jase, that is one spectacular eagle. the large version shows up the eagle really well . Amazing shot. One of my fav objects indeed.

Originally Posted by EzyStyles

the pillars.....beautifulllll...... gee.ss..

Thanks Eric. Pleased you liked it. I'm really impressed with the resolution obtained. The key is to acquire luminance data while the object is high.

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

Lovely image jase,
The "pillars of creation" stand out well.
Way to go Mr Hubble!!!
Doug

Cheers Doug. Not sure about the title... Hubble is a hard act to follow.

Originally Posted by Zuts

Hi Jase,

Great photo and skillfull processing as usual . I have to ask though, whats happening with your FSQ, I havn't seen a photo with that for ages?

Paul

Cheers Paul. Still have the FSQ - it will never leave my imaging arsenal. Planned an imaging run over the last weekend with it, but clouds concluded such activities. It will see light again soon... Actually I "missed to boat" this season on Eta Carinae region. I started a 9 panel mosaic with the FSQ. Collected 9 hours of data to date. It can wait until next year. May still have time, but I'm in no rush. Thanks again for your comments.

Originally Posted by RB

Beautiful image Jase !
An absolutely wonderful shot of M16.

My only constructive comment would be that I would've liked to have seen the black point raised a point or two in each channel to get the histogram starting a little to the right so the shadows will lift slightly.
On my CRT it looks a touch dark in the deepest shadows.

Man I'd love to get into some GRAS time but I wouldn't know where to start.
All I know is working with DSLR data and I'm still trying to learn that.

Looking forward to more of your work.

Cheers RB. Your probably right regarding the black point. I validate my images on two monitors (different models) though both are LCD. Don't have access to a CRT any more. The image looked ok on both. I raised the black point to give the image a little more contrast and richer colour.

Give it a go! CCD imaging isn't as hard as people make it sound. You may want to get your feet wet with a OSC instead of a monochrome w/colour filters. I prefer using filters as it delivers the ultimate in flexibility, but increases the work load. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Ric

Hi Jase, another fantastic image. the Eagle is always a timeless subject and you have done it justice.

I'm not qualified enough to comment technically, it just looks fantastic.

Cheers

Cheers Ric. Indeed, there is something majestic about "The Star Queen - M16". I've wanted to image it for sometime. Think I've done it justice. Would love to hit the region at a longer focal length to extract more detail. Pleased you liked it. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Alchemy

given the wussy colour is all can get im used too it, nice smooth tones in that wussy pink though. ive done one but in comparison it was really gritty ...more time needed.

why not use the GRAS it gives you access to parts of the sky we normally dont see, im all for it.

it would be nice to see some narrowband images its been a LONG time since you put one up, i remember i commented on the red stars.... subsequent research found out thats normal...... they actually grow on you once youve seen a few.

cheers for now
clive.

Thanks Clive. You quickly learn that rich Ha data and conventional RGB can be a challenge to deal with. I have a lot to learn in this space. I've been trying different techniques by more experienced imagers and also some of my own methods. Each object is different. Your wussy colour woes are usually addressable in processing. I use the softlight blend to get strong colours - just change the opacity if it needs to be toned down. Binning helps. Will try to address the narrowband shortfalls soon. It has been a while since I've done any narrowband processing. Will be rusty. Stay tuned. Thanks for you comments.

[iceman (Mike)]

Nothing wrong with a mainstream object when it is done so beautifully! Just brilliant, jase.

[Phil]

Great shot Jase love it.
Phil

[Garyh]

Baeutiful Jase!,,mm I think I haver said that before..
Don`t notice the stars being a bit crunchy over here!
As for the blooming I don`t see any at all...well done there!
Lovely contrast throughout. The only thing I notice and is probably totally out of your control is the bottom left corner seems soft or a bit out of focus?
Very, very nice

[jase (Jason)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Nothing wrong with a mainstream object when it is done so beautifully! Just brilliant, jase.

Thanks Mike. Still learning the ropes. If I can get to a stage that it is the equipment not the inexperience with image processing that lets me down, then I'll be happy.

Originally Posted by Phil

Great shot Jase love it.
Phil

Cheers Phil. Pleased you like it.

Originally Posted by Garyh

Baeutiful Jase!,,mm I think I haver said that before..
Don`t notice the stars being a bit crunchy over here!
As for the blooming I don`t see any at all...well done there!
Lovely contrast throughout. The only thing I notice and is probably totally out of your control is the bottom left corner seems soft or a bit out of focus?
Very, very nice

Thanks Gary. I checked out the soft focus prob in the corner as you suggest. I actually think its something in my control. Going through the previously saved psd files one of the layers did not have any deconvolution applied when it ultimately should have. Oversight on my side. This would have sharpened them a little more. Oh well. Will keep that in mind should I reprocess. Thanks again for your comments.

[bluescope]

Excellent image Jase, gives me something to aspire to !

ONE DAY - I HOPE !

[leon]

Gee's Jase that is some spectacular imaging, The Eagle Neb is one of my favorite objects, and you have done it justice.

Leon

[jase (Jason)]

Originally Posted by bluescope

Excellent image Jase, gives me something to aspire to !

ONE DAY - I HOPE !

Thanks Steve. There is no reason why you can't reach your goals if you dedicate yourself to it. It helps if you enjoy image processing. I can't get enough of it. For me, collect data at the telescope is only 20-30% of the work, the rest is in the processing. If you can't image process to bring the best out in the data you've acquired, imho you're wasting your time. Keep at it.

Originally Posted by leon

Gee's Jase that is some spectacular imaging, The Eagle Neb is one of my favorite objects, and you have done it justice.

Leon

Cheers Leon. Pleased you liked it mate.

=======================

Thanks to all those who have commented. Much Appreciated.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by jase

I prefer a more deeper vibrant red tone, compared to faded wussy salmon pink common with Ha blends.

No more M16 prize winners for you Mr. Sidonio. <kidding>
Cheers

Oh yeh???...

Perhaps lacking just a little colour depth...? buuut, a very nice image non the less Jase!

As you suggest, it is intersting to compare with my M16 huh..? Also a 6" F7.5 APO. David thought my colour balance was pretty spot on actually

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...67656/original

Mike

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Oh yeh???...

Perhaps lacking just a little colour depth...? buuut, a very nice image non the less Jase!

As you suggest, it is intersting to compare with my M16 huh..? Also a 6" F7.5 APO. David thought my colour balance was pretty spot on actually

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...67656/original

Mike

Ooooo, a p%##ing contest - I can do that. Watch this space

Very nice image Jase!!

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Ooooo, a p%##ing contest - I can do that. Watch this space

Woohoo! Point that incredibly sexy TOA at the Eagle and lets see what it can do

Is that a pucking contest?.. like an ice hockey puck you mean?

Mike

[winensky]

Beautiful! Just the right luminosity with out overdoing the colour. The stars shine through and it just glows. Lovely lovely image.