adding RGB stars is easy.
In your stacking software, align the NB Ha stacked images with the RGB final and save all. RGB, Ha, OIII and SII
In photoshop, use star exterminator to remove the stars in each of the 3 NB finals Ha,sii and OIII.
load the RGB image, copy and paste this into the NB image, creating a new layer in it.
Duplicate the RGB layer.
Deselect all layers except these 2 RGB layers.
On one of these RGB layers use starexterminator to delete stars.
select "difference" on one of these RGB layers, you will then see only RGB stars on the screen.
Then "merge visible" in the PS layer menu.
You will then have separate layers of RGB stars and the other starless NB layers.
Set all the layers to "screen" and you will see all the NB layers and RGB stars on the screen as a blended pic.
process each to taste and at the end "flatten image".
Lovely image of Carina’s core with some nice fine detail resolved
Well done !!
I’m assuming from your location ( Ivanhoe far western NSW ?? ) that you have Bortle 2 or 3 super dark skies as Ivanhoe only has a population of 200 ??
My Sydney imaging location is horrible Bortle 7/8 with neighbours lights blasting me all the time ( see attached photo )
I use Poly tarps and a couple of 19mm timber dowels and cable ties from Bunnings and set up a light barrier on my pool fence just behind my rig. Blocks most of the direct artificial light.
Just to let you know my neighbours just leave these floods on with no one in the yard ??? A gross waist of energy and unnecessary light pollution. Sometimes they stay on until midnight until they are switched off . Pain in the butt but you live with it and make the best of it.My new Antlia ALPT OSC filter has been a real life saver when it comes to imaging emission nebula from my light infested imaging location. Thankfully my second imaging location is south coast NSW Bortle 3 , where I have my NexDome Obs , and no neighbours lights ,you walk outside and it’s super dark. My Astro getaway !!
Hey Martin. Thanks. I am from Ivanhoe in Victoria so inner city Melbourne. Bortle 7/8 hence shooting in narrow band. I find my dew shield helps alot. A light barrier sounds like a good idea. My neighbours keep their pool lights on all night as well. Feel your pain.
adding RGB stars is easy.
In your stacking software, align the NB Ha stacked images with the RGB final and save all. RGB, Ha, OIII and SII
In photoshop, use star exterminator to remove the stars in each of the 3 NB finals Ha,sii and OIII.
load the RGB image, copy and paste this into the NB image, creating a new layer in it.
Duplicate the RGB layer.
Deselect all layers except these 2 RGB layers.
On one of these RGB layers use starexterminator to delete stars.
select "difference" on one of these RGB layers, you will then see only RGB stars on the screen.
Then "merge visible" in the PS layer menu.
You will then have separate layers of RGB stars and the other starless NB layers.
Set all the layers to "screen" and you will see all the NB layers and RGB stars on the screen as a blended pic.
process each to taste and at the end "flatten image".
Hey Fred. Thanks for sharing your processing. I have not got around to learning photoshop. Do all my processing in pixinsight. Alot of what you have described is transferable I think.
