Have not produced an image with the "local" gear for well over five months. Feels like all I've done is capture data night after night with no result to show...especially considering the initial intent was to perform a quick test with the new camera. Alas, I got carried away and ended up with a long duration imaging project. When I first joined the IIS community, Glen (Glenc) provided a challenge if I could image an area across from Eta. For the life of me, I can't remember which direction from Eta was requested...so I hope this will suffice given its taken a few years to get this far! Apologies Glen!
So without further ado, I pleased to present Environs of the Hibiscus.
Warning - large resolutions may take time to load.
Wha?! the Hibiscus?! Green thumb eh?
Scene description;
The southern sky in the constellations Crux and Carina is filled with an entourage of impressive deep sky delights. In the image presented above, from left to right is IC2944 the Running Chicken Nebula, NGC3576 at center followed by the large nebula complex of NGC3372 more commonly known as the Eta Carina Nebula. Numerous star clusters also scatter the field. Wide field panoramas such as this, Eta Carina takes on the appearance of a Hibiscus flower. Lush petals produced by blue oxygen atoms dampening the vibrancy of the red hydrogen alpha atoms, both of which are divided by dark rifts of dusty nebulosity. Eta Carina spans a massive 120x120 arc minutes across the sky and resides approximately 10,000 light years away. Toward the bottom of the image is the open star cluster IC 2602, also known as the Theta Carinae Cluster or Southern Pleiades. The cluster is at a distance of about 479 light-years away from Earth and can be easily seen with the naked eye.
Other rubbish people normally glaze over;
The presented image is a six panel straight RGB composite mosaic comprising of 4.5hrs RGB per panel (9x600s per channel). No luminance data was aquired, though I did create a synthetic lum to better match the Ha data. Talking Ha data, a culmination of 8 hours Ha data was also acquired on specific targets across the scene to provide more depth and detail. The Ha blend was not used extensively, but simply blended in between 30% to 40% opacity. Probably seems a waste to not push it to a higher percentage, but I've been down that complex path before with mosaics and its a real headache to get the right Ha+R blend across the panels. Given time, anything is possible but I simply wanted to get an image out there with the new set up and move on. A base RGB is relatively easy to deal with for mosaic work.
Overall, the data set could have been better. I collected considerably more data than I used, throwing away subs due to focuser problems. These have now been resolved so I expect the acquisition efficiency will again rise to an acceptable level. I do have another data set of a different target that was acquired before the focuser remedial activities so expect to trash it and start again or work with what I've got. I hope to share this soon.
I opted for a 10% overlap between panels which worked out well, though minor rotation was present. The mosaic plan is attached below for reference. With the 16803 chip, its possible to compromise on imaging area real estate if needed given its size. The mosaic plan was quite unique and probably requires a little explanation. The goal was to provide an arch of usual features across the top, IC2944, NGC3576 and NGC3372. To recenter the image, I used IC2602 (Southern Pleiades) as the focal point at the bottom. What appears to be a void to the left of IC2602 contains RCW58. The mosaic spans 10.5 x 7.1 degrees. Took a while to work out the most optimal framing, but I think it works even if a little tight in some areas.
Rusty on the mosaic processing skills so have dropped the ball on fundamental items. The colour matching is not seamless and due to the nature of the data set, I'm not inclined to address it. Just enjoy it for what it is. Usual processing tools were used - CCDStack, Registar and PS CS4. Though I did use DDP in MaximDL for the Ha blends. No major trickery. I think a few single frame images will get me back into the swing of things, but who knows...mosaics open up a world of possibilities providing a unique view time again.
The presented full size image has been reduced by 50% percent and heavily compressed to make it web friendly. Note: it is still 13Mb in size! Still worth the wait to have a swim around. Will leave the full resolution (11,167 x 7403) for prints.
Thanks H. Nothing like testing one's patience with some mosaic work. What's happened to your STL? Time to get out there...
Quote:
Originally Posted by dugnsuz
Amazing detail jase.
The full size high res is a magnum opus!
Doug
Cheers Doug. Bit of a shame I can't provide the 1:1 original. The highest I've provided online is actually 50% reduced! The details are similar in the original, just larger so more defined. Pleased you liked it.
Do you know something I don't David? You've got better odds winning a chook raffle down the local given it wasn't take with a SBIG cam Ah I shouldn't be so prejudice Maybe I'll send it off. Thanks for the comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by renormalised
Fantastic mosaic, Jase. The effort put into producing such a great piccie has paid of well...excellent job
Thanks Carl. Slightly dedicated. Imaging the same field night after night says something though... I'm completely nuts
Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb
Welcome back and what a come back. Awesome vista. It's going to take some time to peek around. Superb work .
Thanks Marc... still in the game just very slow on the output. Back from OS now so can focus on a few things. The set up needs maintenance (redo pointing model etc) so will hopefully get that sorted soon, then onto more imaging projects. Thanks for your comments.
Yes the big version is great to pan around and I did so for a while. Those with longer focal lengths might like to have a squizz around, there are a few interesting little tid bits that might be worth some time on at longer focal length..Freeeeeed?
Great job dude!...love the square field of view of each panel too, he, he!
Welcome back Jase, I certainly missed these eye-popping images.
This is a stunning vista.
Beautiful.
Cheers Mike. A wide field vista puts a few things into perspective. Never a dull image. Pleased you enjoyed it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
A monumental effort!
Thanks for sharing it with us.
JJJ, thanks for taking the time to check it out and comment. Appreciated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Some very schmick work there Jase
Yes the big version is great to pan around and I did so for a while. Those with longer focal lengths might like to have a squizz around, there are a few interesting little tid bits that might be worth some time on at longer focal length..Freeeeeed?
Great job dude!...love the square field of view of each panel too, he, he!
Mike
Cheers Mike! Indeed, the large version provides a map for some unusual targets not regularly imaged. Pleasing object pairings are possible for moderate focal lengths or as you say, some hardcore long focal length work. I don't normally provide an insight into the mosaic plan (can't give away all the secrets ), but thought others may find it beneficial. Thanks for your comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by desler
Wow Jase, simply wow!
Darren
Cheers Darren. Thanks for taking the time to check it out!
Stunning. Its always a nice surprise when you post one of your new images on iis.
Could I ask how long that took to process?
Brett
Thanks Brett. To offer a different perspective on typical targets is the challenge. Some hours here and a few hours there...I didn't work on it constantly so its difficult to put a figure on the quantity of processing time. I see it as a labour of love. I never process an image from start to finish in a single seating. Always come back to it with fresh eyes. The act of processing should be enjoyed and not rushed given this is where it all happens and your hard earned data comes alive. In retrospect, I probably spent a few hours alone just planning the execution of the mosaic!
Have to say that dealing with large format camera data is arduous. To stitch the six panels in CS4 resulting in the PSD file exceeding 2.5Gb. Big ass cameras require big ass systems to process the data.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mill
That is one (six ) nice picture Jase and a for dedication
Thanks Martin. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrevorW
What can one say
Cheers Trevor. No need to say anything, but pleased you made comment.
As for my STL, I'm waiting on filters which were part of the deal. :cryface:
H
Bummer H. You know coloured cellophane over the instrument aperture held in place with an elastic-band is a cost effective alternative while you wait. No need for international orders...your local news agency will have it. Jokes aside, would probably help to get a few hours under your belt with no filters anyway. Look forward to seeing your work soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by leon
Gees mate and I just folded, incredible stuff, well done indeed.
Leon
Thanks Leon. No more FSQ mate! You'll have withdrawal symptoms in about a month. Thanks for checking it out. All the best!
Green thumb eh?
Welcome back and what a come back. Awesome vista. It's going to take some time to peek around. Superb work . 
Ah I shouldn't be so prejudice 
Maybe I'll send it off. Thanks for the comments.
for dedication 
What can one say
