M42- Lum this time - a work in progress

[richardo (Rich)]

Sorry folks, if you aint sick of M42 yet, you will be by the time the weather behaves...
Ok, just a quick sesh in between the thunder clouds that are drifting across heading your way.
mmmm, looks like rain


As the title implies, this is only a fraction of the data I wish to gather.. way the weather is might be a month + project.
High thin clouds were drifting over so was lucky the auto guiding was ok...
At least I got Focus Max to work this time around...

Details...
10 x 4' subs.
10" newtonian F4.6 with paracorr.
SXVR-H16 CCD
Clear 2" Astronomik filter through an SX USB filter wheel.

Lots of masking/ stretching to bring out what I could without making things look too harsh.... no sharpening as it's already pretty crunchy at this stage. Definitely lacking detail though. Will have to wait for more data.. and perhaps better weather

http://www.baytop-observatory.com/cc...M42Lumnewt.jpg

Just happy to be out for the limited time and thought I'd post it just to keep in touch.

Hope you folks in Vico, NSW and QLD are keeping your gear high and dry... looks like more wet stuff's on its way.

Sorry to bore you all... just keeping my hand in is all!!

All the best for now
Rich

[gregbradley]

That is very impressive Rich. I quite like this framing and image scale of M42.

Greg.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Hi Rich, this is really great, what is fasinating is how 42's 4 central star are clear and defined and look as though they have depth. Very nice.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Nice one Rich, great image scale.

[richardo (Rich)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

That is very impressive Rich. I quite like this framing and image scale of M42.
Greg.

.

Thanks Greg
With the ParaCorr adding the extra .6 on my F4 system, I am really liking the versatility on many objects.
Still, not a great deal of detail to the gas streamers/ filaments that emanate from the core. The night was around 6/10 for seeing. Had a pretty hot, steamy sort of day, but at least the wind wasn't blowing as is typical for this time of year here.

Originally Posted by mswhin63

Hi Rich, this is really great, what is fasinating is how 42's 4 central star are clear and defined and look as though they have depth. Very nice.

Thanks Malcolm for the comments.
I actually did a 3 step mask in of the core from some previous data I had taken about three years ago (same scope different camera). With the 4 minute exposures, the core was well blown as is to be expected. In the past I've only maxed exposures to around 50 secs with this object, but this time around I'm going to try and really expose the billowing structure.

Originally Posted by multiweb

Nice one Rich, great image scale.

Thanks Marc !
I am really enjoying the extra terrain with the new camera that's for sure. It's proving to be a joy to use and seems to suit my setup and uses very well.

Thanks guys for having a look and commenting...
Hopefully finish this soon once I get more lum, some colour then I'll utilise the Ha data I already have...

All the best for now
Rich

[atalas]

Excellent work Rich! looking forward to seeing the project finished !

[richardo (Rich)]

Originally Posted by atalas

Excellent work Rich! looking forward to seeing the project finished !

Thanks Louie!
Be nice to get a good amount down this time... I've generally been really slack in the way of data with this object in the past.

Excellent that you've put out your great tutorials for people on your site....
I'm sure it's helping a lot of people get a handle on PS..
Well done.

What are you up with your imaging setup.... selling, buying or just processing for your friend?

All the best for now.
Rich

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Overall a lovely subtle view there Rich, lots of nice soft but fine details coming through, I like this FOV as much as the whole sword really.

The stars look super and the processing is lovely but the core blending is a weee bit obvious though, the trap is sitting in an obvious abrupt edged dark hole.

Photons..?...what are they again

Mike

[richardo (Rich)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Overall a lovely subtle view there Rich, lots of nice soft but fine details coming through, I like this FOV as much as the whole sword really.

The stars look super and the processing is lovely but the core blending is a weee bit obvious though, the trap is sitting in an obvious abrupt edged dark hole.

Photons..?...what are they again

Mike

Thanks Mike... some really nice comments and also, you are spot on as usually with your critique!
Yes the Trap was a bit of a rush job and I could have blended it far better.. I think I was mesmerized by the fact that my old data with the H916 was just about the same scale as the new data with the new ccd.
I did look at it and went... ok, I'll do a better job when I get more.
It does look like it was plugged in... and really the intensity is not as it should be to appear more natural...

I think this is what happens when we get starved of things to process and for that matter, image. I get a bit excited like a kid again having this new ccd... almost like starting over with the awe factor...
And it's made me really have to work hard on getting my scope to a fine tune... which has been worth it... I thnk the Paracorr has improved my stars and flatness across the field a whole lot better than the MPCC.. definitely happy in this department.

So yes, will certainly make a big effort next time round with the trap core when I compile the LHargb data... when this weather will give me a break that is... promise

Mean time we've had a huge dust storm followed by thunder, lightening and rain blow its guts out through on Saturday.. moderated some what with rain through the night, then Sunday had a hail storm with ice the size of 10c pieces... today has just been raining with thunder and lightening.... something different.. think the farmers have lost half their crop I reckon due to dampness... poor buggers, was a bumper year wheat and barley wise.

For all our sanity sake, hope this La Nina will dissipate soon.

All the best for now
Rich