NGC 1291 - possibly a slight improvement

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Here's a reworked version of NGC 1291. It was going to have about 5-6 hours of Ha in it but I discovered that it made no difference so I left it out. I also enhanced the central dust lanes using the Pixinsight process LHE (thanks Geoff) and did a few other things as well. I think the end result is an improvement but only a slight one.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/n...L6303_RC14.htm

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

To me it looks just a little too magenta biased now Steve..although, coming from a bloke with a penchant for blue (and magenta), what would I know..? and this is likely hiding the blue in the outer ring/s...having said that, you have pickup several pink HII regions there nicely

Mike

[RickS (Rick)]

That's brought out more structure, Steve. Definitely a nice improvement.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by RickS

That's brought out more structure, Steve. Definitely a nice improvement.

Thanks Rick

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

To me it looks just a little too magenta biased now Steve..although, coming from a bloke with a penchant for blue (and magenta), what would I know..? and this is likely hiding the blue in the outer ring/s...having said that, you have pickup several pink HII regions there nicely

Mike

Thanks Mike. I've tweaked it a bit so hopefully it's okay now.

[Atmos (Colin)]

The central dust lanes do look a bit more defined now which is nice. Well done.

With LHE I usually mask the background and make several versions which I blend together. A HDR and three LHEs (16, 64, 256).
I then mask the stars and blend them together with the original. The 16 kinda works to sharpen up features where as the 64 and 256 increase contrast.

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a pretty galaxy. Very nice shot.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

That's a pretty galaxy. Very nice shot.

Thanks Marc

Originally Posted by Atmos

The central dust lanes do look a bit more defined now which is nice. Well done.

Thanks Colin

With LHE I usually mask the background and make several versions which I blend together. A HDR and three LHEs (16, 64, 256).
I then mask the stars and blend them together with the original. The 16 kinda works to sharpen up features where as the 64 and 256 increase contrast.

Being a total Pixinsight newbie (in most things). I didn't do any of that. Maybe I'll do some more playing.

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Stevec35

Being a total Pixinsight newbie (in most things). I didn't do any of that. Maybe I'll do some more playing.

It's a great program once you get into it.

[RobF (Rob)]

I definitely prefer this version. Very nice work too BTW

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by RobF

I definitely prefer this version. Very nice work too BTW

Thanks Rob

Originally Posted by Geoff45

It's a great program once you get into it.

That's my trouble - investing the time to really get into it but I'm slowly getting there.

[alpal]

Hi Steve,
well done -
I can't find a better picture.
I looked here:
http://cseligman.com/text/atlas/ngc12a.htm#1291

& on google images & none seem to show
any detail in the core - whereas yours does.

cheers
Allan

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Good before, very special now. You've captured the unusual morphology very well. The repro makes the general field stars look better too.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Placidus

Good before, very special now. You've captured the unusual morphology very well. The repro makes the general field stars look better too.

Thanks M&T. Reasonably happy with it now.

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Steve,
well done -
I can't find a better picture.
I looked here:
http://cseligman.com/text/atlas/ngc12a.htm#1291

& on google images & none seem to show
any detail in the core - whereas yours does.

cheers
Allan

Thanks Allan - you are very kind. Actually the best image of it that I've seen is the CHART32 version:

http://www.chart32.de/index.php/galaxies-m

Of course they have a few advantages (60cm telescope on a mountain top in Chile)

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Originally Posted by Stevec35

... Actually the best image of it that I've seen is the CHART32 version:

http://www.chart32.de/index.php/galaxies-m

Of course they have a few advantages (60cm telescope on a mountain top in Chile)

Thanks for a superb link. There goes Mike's hobby, though. Luckily, he's still interested in sculpting and pretending to be a gentleman farmer.

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

A nice improvement Steve! Excellent image!

[alpal]

Originally Posted by Stevec35

Thanks Allan - you are very kind. Actually the best image of it that I've seen is the CHART32 version:

http://www.chart32.de/index.php/galaxies-m

Of course they have a few advantages (60cm telescope on a mountain top in Chile)

Hi Steve,
You're right - & I normally look there.
Also - it's an 80cm or 31.5 inch mirror with sub arc second seeing
& over 17 hours of integration.
No one in Australia can compete with that.

cheers
Allan

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Steve,
You're right - & I normally look there.
Also - it's an 80cm or 31.5 inch mirror with sub arc second seeing
& over 17 hours of integration.
No one in Australia can compete with that.

cheers
Allan

Yes - Chart32 is something to aspire to but no one comes close

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

A nice improvement Steve! Excellent image!

Thanks Marcus

[Fabiomax (Fabiomassimo)]

Wow, it seems to be in it!
Cheers,
Fabiomax

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Fabiomax

Wow, it seems to be in it!
Cheers,
Fabiomax

Not quite sure what your comment means but thanks anyway Fabio.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

wow - really impressive image Steve.