I did this image a while ago and thought I should reprocess it some more as it wasn't quite there.
I think this is the best I can get out of my CDK17 at my home observatory which has around 7/10 skies. My dark site is more like 9.5 out of 10 and sometimes better. So I think I'll have to drag it down there for a week or more soon to see what it is really capable of as I see Martin's images being quite a bit better using much the same gear. Apart from his excellent processing the rest should be the skies.
Still, I am quite happy with this image. 18 hours and lot more was taken that was rejected.
Fantastic image Greg! Uber luminance with low RGB exposure, still you've manage the colour noise very well. The warm glow from the nucleus has produce a very aesthetic result. Good work!
I wouldn't bother trying to compare your output with Martin's. Yes similar kit and as you mentioned Martin's processing skills greatly influence the result, but if there's a key distinguishing factor its the location which generates quality data. I seriously doubt there's a location in Australia that can compare with the consistent low seeing at sierra-remote. I just had a quick look at their meteorological data for the past 12hrs and average seeing over that period was 1.13 FWHM! And this is not a freak event, its routinely that good each night. At 4,610 ft above sea level, this is exactly what I'd be expecting! In any case, yes, get that 17" scope out of the burbs to your dark sky location. You've got a better chance of obtaining quality data in doing so.
Really hope to see more from your 17" set up. Are you controlling everything remote at your dark sky site yet? Perhaps its time, so you can really give your gear a workout even when you're not there.
That's impressive Greg and one of those beautiful photos that some of u guys manage so well.
Be very interested in seeing that next attempt from ur darksky site.
Trevor
Luv the "foggy" stuff on both sides of the core and 18h+, gee …
Thanks for sharing !!!
Its a wild looking galaxy which is why I chose it. I have imaged it before but never with that much detail or for so long.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryp
Very nice, Greg
Thanks Larry.
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Originally Posted by Bassnut
Thats most excellent Greg, despite being taken from home.
Cheers Fred. It made it clear to me that I need to do mega data to get any real detail on these galaxies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Very nice, Greg! I hadn't seen that one before.
Its a pretty one. Similar to NGC3621 which are available around the same time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jase
Fantastic image Greg! Uber luminance with low RGB exposure, still you've manage the colour noise very well. The warm glow from the nucleus has produce a very aesthetic result. Good work!
I wouldn't bother trying to compare your output with Martin's. Yes similar kit and as you mentioned Martin's processing skills greatly influence the result, but if there's a key distinguishing factor its the location which generates quality data. I seriously doubt there's a location in Australia that can compare with the consistent low seeing at sierra-remote. I just had a quick look at their meteorological data for the past 12hrs and average seeing over that period was 1.13 FWHM! And this is not a freak event, its routinely that good each night. At 4,610 ft above sea level, this is exactly what I'd be expecting! In any case, yes, get that 17" scope out of the burbs to your dark sky location. You've got a better chance of obtaining quality data in doing so.
Really hope to see more from your 17" set up. Are you controlling everything remote at your dark sky site yet? Perhaps its time, so you can really give your gear a workout even when you're not there.
Thanks Jase, that's encouraging. The CDK17 is a good scope but I don't feel I am taking advantage of all it can offer in its current location. Its very sensitive to seeing. I have seen some galaxy downloads on nights of good seeing that are suprisingly sharp and detailed so I can imagine what it could do at a great location. Sub 2 arc sec seeing must be unreal.
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Originally Posted by AG Hybrid
Beautiful picture.
Thanks for that.
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Originally Posted by Meru
Wow!! Impressive as always Greg
Cheers Meru.
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Originally Posted by Shiraz
ripper image Greg. high res and impressive colour. regards Ray
Thanks Ray. I think I threw out about 9 or more hours of subs from nights of poor seeing or the occassional cloud affected image.
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Originally Posted by PRejto
Beautiful image Greg!!
Thanks very much for that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by marc4darkskies
You should be very happy with this image Greg - it's excellent!
Cheers, Marcus
Cheers Marcus. I'll be very interested to see how you go with your RC. I often wonder about the truth of 1/4 wave optics being seeing limited and no gain beyond that. Yet I see Bunyip images from a highly figured mirror that are way sharper and detailed beyond what I would expect.
So I suspect that is a marketing statement and the truth is there is still a gain from highly figured mirrors that probably really shines when seeing is good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Regulus
That's impressive Greg and one of those beautiful photos that some of u guys manage so well.
Be very interested in seeing that next attempt from ur darksky site.
Trevor
Thanks Trevor. Yes I definitely need to take it to my dark site and to make that worthwhile it'd have to be for at least a week with an excellent weather forecast preferably soon whilst the nights are quite long!
That's a wonderful image Greg, I'm sure the long exposure time helped with bringing out the details. The galaxy has a nice 3D look to it. Beautiful work, one of your best I think.
That's a wonderful image Greg, I'm sure the long exposure time helped with bringing out the details. The galaxy has a nice 3D look to it. Beautiful work, one of your best I think.
Thanks very much Rolf. A nice compliment from the long exposure King!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua Bunn
That's exceptional Greg. Really like the extent to which the galaxy extends. it sure looks there's a storm brewing in that core.
Josh
Cheers Josh. Its a beautiful galaxy. I also had some nice seeing during a lot of the acquisition. This scope is quite sensitive to seeing so an AO unit would probably help a lot plus a good seeing location as we see with Martin's images goes a huge way with it.
A great galaxy Greg...wonderful color and detail through the core!
I'm not a great believer in desaturating the background but in this case I think a 60% desaturation and the galaxy would have a higher impact.
Golden tip Louie. I think a bit of blue got through my inverted mask earlier in the processing. I would not have thought of that. That worked well. Next time I see you I owe you a capuccino and a donut!
and 18h+, gee …
