My first attempt at starless

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Hi to all

I've often played around with trying to produce starless images (nebulae with stars removed) but I've never been able to produce results that match the examples you occasionally see posted here. The current Astronomy Now magazine has information on a program called Straton that makes the process much easier. Anyway I had a go with one of my old Eta Carinae images and it looked quite encouraging. Not perfect as I had to manually clean up some stars that weren't removed properly but still a reasonable result. In any case the removal process would probably work better by tweaking the parameters - I just used the defaults for this image.

Anyway I thought this might be of interest

Cheers

Steve

Original image with link to starless version:

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/n...STL6303_RC.htm

Direct link to starless version:

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/n...I_starless.jpg

[RickS (Rick)]

I can't make up my mind whether I like starless images or not but you did a nice job on that one, Steve.

I have been playing around with JP Metsavainio's tone mapping technique so I have a few starless images lying around. I tried Straton but found I could remove stars just as effectively with PI.

Cheers,
Rick.

[leon]

That is very interesting, however there seems to be something missing. not sure either if i like it or not

Leon

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by leon

That is very interesting, however there seems to be something missing. not sure either if i like it or not

Leon

Originally Posted by RickS

I can't make up my mind whether I like starless images or not but you did a nice job on that one, Steve.

I have been playing around with JP Metsavainio's tone mapping technique so I have a few starless images lying around. I tried Straton but found I could remove stars just as effectively with PI.

Cheers,
Rick.

Thanks guys. I can't make up my mind whether I like it either. It may have application in separating the processing of stars and nebula though. I didn't know you could do it with PI but the program only cost 15 Euros I guess.

[Solitarian]

Nice work

I like the starless as long as I can refer to the same image with stars, as you have done with the links.

[lazjen (Chris)]

I prefer the one with the stars.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Well, I like the one with stars better, which is awesome by the way! Completely starless just doesn't look right. However, I've discovered that when it comes to nebula and comets, I do like some degree of subdued stars, just not zero.

[John Hothersall]

The starless version looks weirdly attractive.

John.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Welcome to the dottless-dark side, excellent, very well processed, striking without the stupid white dots.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Welcome to the dottless-dark side, excellent, very well processed, striking without the stupid white dots.

Thanks Fred. Thought I would get a response from you. It's worth pointing out that Fred got a Malin award for a starless image.

Originally Posted by John Hothersall

The starless version looks weirdly attractive.

John.

Thanks John. It has its own charm but I think I like the normal version better myself in this case.

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Well, I like the one with stars better, which is awesome by the way! Completely starless just doesn't look right. However, I've discovered that when it comes to nebula and comets, I do like some degree of subdued stars, just not zero.

Fair enough

Originally Posted by lazjen

I prefer the one with the stars.

As do I but I think some objects would work very well with starless. Faint nebulae in dense star fields for instance.

Originally Posted by Solitarian

Nice work

I like the starless as long as I can refer to the same image with stars, as you have done with the links.

Thanks

[atalas]

Both views look great Steve!well done.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by atalas

Both views look great Steve!well done.

Thanks Louie

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Very nice, and intriguing work Steve. Your result is very beautiful and both versions are definitely top notch. Can't decide either which one I like best, just love them both

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by SkyViking

Very nice, and intriguing work Steve. Your result is very beautiful and both versions are definitely top notch. Can't decide either which one I like best, just love them both

Thanks very much Rolf.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Beautiful Steve. I like it!

[alpal]

Hi Steve,
I like both versions.
You had some wonderful seeing.
The "finger of God " can be seen clearly by the keyhole.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Hmmm? interesting Steve, worthwhile exercise, thanks for sharing

Mike

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Hmmm? interesting Steve, worthwhile exercise, thanks for sharing

Mike

Thanks Mike. Don't assume I'm sold on starless but it was an interesting exercise which may be repeated if a suitable image comes along.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Steve,
I like both versions.
You had some wonderful seeing.
The "finger of God " can be seen clearly by the keyhole.

cheers
Allan

Thanks Allan. The Eta image is one of my best of this object. I rarely get good seeing (or even sky!) these days.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Beautiful Steve. I like it!

Thanks Logan