Not Another Omega Centauri!

[peeb61 (Paul)]

Hi All,
The clouds cleared for a while, the winds died down but the moon was still a little on the bright side...But I was out there for a while!

I managed to image Omega last night (Again! 14/07) before the misty clouds rolled in.

9 images for a total of 21m

2 x 3min at 200ISO
3 x 2min at 400ISO
2 x 1.5min at 400ISO
2 x 3min at 400ISO

Images stacked using DSS and minimal processing in Photoshop and finally cropped for display.

Thanks for looking.
Paul

When I'm stacking in DSS, should I be stacking the jpg's or the raws? Just curious as this is still a learning curve.

[AlexN]

I stack RAW files in DSS... The reason being that RAW images contain much more dynamic range data than a JPG. DSS has alot more usable information to play with and will almost always produce a more 'real to life' image.

You've also captured a good range of exposures, which always helps to capturing something with varying surface brightness, and you've done well in resolving right the way through to the core..

Only thing missing is some color... In DSS, under 'RAW/FITS settings' on the left hand side (bout 3/4 of the way down the window) Make sure you have the following options checked.
In the RAW tab:
Use Camera White Balance.

In the Fits Tab.
16bit Monochrome FITS files are RAW files by a DSLR or Color CCD.

Also in the FITS tab you can select your camera from a drop down list undernieth the afforementioned check box.

Great image mate. Keep them coming!

[peeb61 (Paul)]

Thanks Alex for the info, I will fiddle and restack and see how it turns out.

Paul

[peeb61 (Paul)]

Hi,
I have added a couple more images and restacked, cropped and resubmitted.
I think I have made some improvement!

Brings it to 25min total (Another 4 x 1min at 400ISO)

Paul

[AlexN]

Gee you can really notice the extra 4mins of data!

The shot is coming together nicely Paul! Well done.

[vash (Ashley)]

The colour balance in the revised is a lot better. I think a little bit more detail can be brought out but that all comes with lots of practice.

[peeb61 (Paul)]

Thanks Alex / Ashley,
Practice makes perfect eh? I will keep trodding along and picking up tips here as I go.
I think truth in the pudding is stack the images in raw as you said Alex, as it certainly brings out the extra data that gets lost in compression.

Paul

[AlexN]

glad to have helped.. keep at it, and keep posting pics!