The Running Man nebulae (NGC 1977)

[Ramsees (Ronny Kaplanian)]

Hi Folks.

Image I took thru my Celestron CPC HD Edge 9.25 with the F6.2 Lepus Optec reducer, total hours of capturing was 4.5 thru 15m exposure on each using the New Celestron OAG, OSC Starlight xpress SXVR-M25c. Had some issues with high winds around 30 km an hour at the end of the session but Maxim was holding the stars well. I have a windshield which also helped. processed using Photoshop 7, Noel Carboni tools, HLVG, Gradient exterminator and Noise Ninja. Any comments welcome. Used Star shrink to make the stars smaller but some of these are too big so any ideas will help

high res link here in TIF mode

https://www.dropbox....15m-5c.tif?dl=0

All comments welcome here, Did I stretch it too much ? Had 20 Flat frames with Median ADU sitting at 20 across entire image, 35 Dark frames, No bias.

Much appreciated

[batema (Mark)]

Beautiful image. Lovely colours and the only suggestion i have would be to drop the red channel a little. Very nice.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Id be happy with that, considering I only use a OSC cam aswell, dam fine result - tho maybe some more levels or contrast to the fainter neb, help it pop a little more, mind that red channel aswell,
Good Going Ramsees

[Ramsees (Ronny Kaplanian)]

Originally Posted by astronobob

Id be happy with that, considering I only use a OSC cam aswell, dam fine result - tho maybe some more levels or contrast to the fainter neb, help it pop a little more, mind that red channel aswell,
Good Going Ramsees

Thanks guys, really appreciate your comments and support, I will drop the Red as suggested , and ideas how to shrink the big bloated stars as Stsr shrink is great but the big stars are too hard to drop

[Ramsees (Ronny Kaplanian)]

Thanks guys for all your support, can anybody me help show me how to reduce the photos to fit in iceinspace, do I just reduce the images using photoshop so I Can post them , any help is well appreciated as I have been learning all this myself over the years , very challenging but very rewarding too.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Originally Posted by Ramsees

Thanks guys, really appreciate your comments and support, I will drop the Red as suggested , and ideas how to shrink the big bloated stars as Stsr shrink is great but the big stars are too hard to drop

I havent done much astro-imaging if any last couple/few yrs Ramsees, I know there are many ways whilst processing, mm, shrinking via processing only goes so far, as you say. It is also good to watch the stars very closely, pixel for pixel whilst lifting level from the very start of processing, make sure they are Not increasing in size during iterations !
A star mask at the beginning is another way, then layer them back in during final processing stages, ,
One more caper is to do a few (1/2 a doz) shorter exposures, say half the length of the full lights, stack them separately and add/layermask them in the mix later end of processing the main stack !
This is only my unorthodox ways - & if do all these suggestions combined, can go a long way
Mind you, there will be others with other ways, and/or better than this, I just say it basically, but in the end, most ideas are only as good as one can understand them, and all ways, whether mine or elses need a bit of dedication, then only practice what you can/think that benefits your style - all need time to experiment -
Good to check out some Tutes on UTube, (astro image processing) should turn up some for starters
Hope this helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-PC4Sq0Zho

[Ramsees (Ronny Kaplanian)]

Thanks Bob for your email and information although I wouldnt know how to do most of what you mentioned unless I get shown via a youtube link which I will check in a minute. So much to learn !!!

[Ramsees (Ronny Kaplanian)]

Hi Bob,

Brilliant youtube link, just what I was looking for mate, much appreciated. I plan on going out next week and imaging the Orion Nebulae thru my Hyperstar, this will definitely help with the bright areas so they do not blow out.