NGC 3621 in Hydra

[Martin Pugh]

Another repro folks.
Original attached and the link to the repro is here:
http://www.martinpughastrophotograph...ngc3621_v5.jpg

I never did get enough data on this, particularly colour, which is why the first version was so noisy. I have only been able to improve on that slightly, but the galaxy core is much better I think.

this was LRGB of 8.5:2.5:2.5:2.5 hours with a further 8.5 hours of luminance shot 2x2.
This guy dims remarkably fast away from the core, with these prominent blue patches here and there. I just could not tease anything else out without adding too much noise.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts and comments as always.

cheers
Martin

[renormalised (Carl)]

Second image (the "sid") is much better than the first. First one definitely had quite a bit of noise in it. I can see what you mean about the brightness dropping off rapidly once you leave the core of the galaxy. Seems as though most of the present star forming is occurring there...not much elsewhere, but there's some big OB associations in the arms.

I like the background galaxies, especially that face on barred spiral just off to the left

[TrevorW]

Repro a vast improvement IMO

[Hagar (Doug)]

The Sid does it for me this time Martin. As you say more data required on the original but the blotchiness and noise has been controlled much better in the repro.
Very nice job Martin.

[John Hothersall]

A grand result but the repro a bit too smooth in the faint arms, love the detail in the background galaxies.

JohnH.

[gregbradley]

That is a remarkable improvement Martin. This is one of my favourite galaxies and you have done a superb job here. I really like your repro - beautiful.

Its interesting to me as the change from the first to the 2nd is something I need to do with some of my earlier images. I also have tended too often to push the data too hard and bring up too much blotchiness and noise in an attempt to make the dim data brighter and it ends up degrading the overall look of the image.

There is something to be said for subtlety and there is no substitute for long enough exposure times.

Greg.

[multiweb (Marc)]

The repro looks hot Martin. Whatever you're doing is working a treat. Keep'em coming.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks very much everyone.

Yes John.....the noise was just too much despite the exposure time.

cheers
Martin

[TheDecepticon]

Very nice Martin. No good for skies in the US?

[Martin Pugh]

Hi Graham, and thanks for commenting.

My local skies are nothing short of rubbish. I got a lot done when I was beta testing the STX from Sep through Mar or so...produced about 10 images I think.

Summer though - so humid and moist, I can barely reach focus even at 3.5asp.

I have been waiting now for 18 months to go remote, and the site is no where near completion...just wondering if it will happen at all.

My RC has been in its box since getting here in Jan 09.

so I am reprocessing to fill in the time.

cheers
Martin

[danielsun]

Definitely the repro (Sid).
Really love your work Martin.


Cheers Daniel.

[mill (Martin)]

The repro is a lot better
It pays off keeping your data and come back to it later.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks Daniel/Martin.

I have a total of 2 TB in external hard drive space.

Not only do I have every single frame, but every single calibration frame also, and a record of which filters were being used, the associated G2V weights - everything.

nowadays, I have also got into the habit of starting a new Photoshop detailed processing file (which Photoshop creates itself), which I keep with image in question when it is archived.

thanks for commenting.

Martin

[Jen]

wow nice pic Martin