I really struggle with final processing during the day, so may have to revisit this. Quite excited what started to show up so wanted to share it as is.
About half the lum data was from last year, but I never got a chance for RGB. I've managed to collect that and a bit more L. All taken through IDAS LPS from Brissy.
Lum 5x600 sec + 6 x 500 sec (all unbinned)
Red 8x200 sec (binned x2)
Green 9x240 sec (binned x2)
Blue 8x300 sec (binned x2)
Hutech IDAS LPS/MPCC/QHY9 through the 8" Newt
(Cropped to approx 80% of original field)
Thanks for looking.
Last edited by RobF; 04-12-2011 at 10:31 PM.
Reason: AstroBin reference
A very nice image. Lots of detail and colours look pretty close ( a few stars seem to have too much green in them). The galaxy looks fabulous.
It just needs more exposure time to improve the signal to noise ratio.
Perhaps a slight non alignment of the various masters in the registration step? Or red has slightly larger stars in which case do a mild deconvolution on the red master. Some stars look a bit mishapen but the galaxy seems sharp.
I know we've had lots of wet weather but galaxies, no matter what your setup, are a many hour exposure type image.
A very nice image. Lots of detail and colours look pretty close ( a few stars seem to have too much green in them). The galaxy looks fabulous.
It just needs more exposure time to improve the signal to noise ratio.
Perhaps a slight non alignment of the various masters in the registration step? Or red has slightly larger stars in which case do a mild deconvolution on the red master. Some stars look a bit mishapen but the galaxy seems sharp.
I know we've had lots of wet weather but galaxies, no matter what your setup, are a many hour exposure type image.
Greg.
Thanks Greg. Yes, the stars have my signature assymetrical flaring in places along with some imperfect alignment (tracking but also meridian flipped images with flaring in opposite direction). But that's how you know its a "Robbo original" . Confession: I did minimise them in processing slightly to try and reduce distraction looking at the galaxy. I think I've got a bit too much blue/green in my (err... the galaxy's) halo too. Will have another one evening when trust what I'm seeing.
As for time, 2 big trees in my backyard conspire to make objects near the meridian difficult - about 2.5hrs max visible time each night, so with setup/pull-down over many sessions it gets tedious. Although this image is 3hr 20mins of data, there was probably another 40-50% thrown away for gear problems, wind, clouds tracking etc over these sessions alas.
I definately would be excited about that Rob. It looks fantastic. Great work.
Mark
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozstronomer
Lovely shot Rob, plenty of detail well done
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross G
A great galaxy photo Rob.
Lots of detail and I love the colours.
Ross.
Thanks for checking it out and commenting guys! I love to see the blues starting to come out in an object, but I didn't exect to see any red objects without Ha - was a nice surprise
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Great work, Rob, especially from the city. Are you hoping to get some more data tonight? Good luck with the weather. Looks promising so far!
Cheers,
Rick.
Thanks Rick - I think I'm getting to the point of having had enough of 253 this year (for reasons in my reponse to Greg above). TBH, the only reason I had a go at trying to finish it today was to see if I needed more data. Hmmm, you always needs more data though don't you - perhaps I should have said "see how badly it might have needed more data"
Quote:
Originally Posted by astroron
Nice Image Rob,
Thanks for shareing
Probably would have been just a tiny bit better from Cambroon
Cheers
Nah - it would have been MUCH better I suspect Ron, if only. Seriously, the extra signal to noise from your dark skies really does help with signal to noise a lot. It's only that this one is so bright and opportunities for dark sky weekends have been so few lately that I decided to make it mainly a "city affair". Tonight looks promising though?
Not too bad from a city locaal Try HLVG plugin for photoshop Rob that will help you delete the green cast though the image. Other wise utilize Curves and its down in the bottom end that you will have to "fiddle"
Nice looking NGC 253 Rob. Bit of colour noise and excessive green noticeable in the larger view though. As others have said HLVG will get rid of the green.
Thanks guys. Yeah, I'll have to have another look at noise and green. I didn't want to make it over processed. Actually I should have posted a scaled down version to AstroBit really - my rig oversamples for seeing etc at best of times, so a cropped in view for a galaxy from the burbs is bound to look noisey. Hadn't planned to let people get that close to the "canvas"
Ah well, you learn something everytime you post.....
EDIT: Hmmm - Actually I've just seen it in the dark and there is a bit too much noise in the there for my liking even in the small jpg.
Lum 5x600 sec + 6 x 500 sec (all unbinned)
Red 8x200 sec (binned x2)
Green 9x240 sec (binned x2)
Blue 8x300 sec (binned x2)
Hutech IDAS LPS/MPCC/QHY9 through the 8" Newt
(Cropped to approx 80% of original field)
Haha you're welcome, but now you must put that data in AstroBin!
Great image btw!
Very nice image Rob - I hope you were out last night taking advantage of the clear skies we had in Brissie! I know I was and it was a school night and all!
You should be excited about that image Rob - it's a nice one You've got some nice detail in there!
You need to at least double the data you've got though to help you control that colour noise.
Cheers, Marcus
Thanks so much Marcus.
Yes, you can't break the laws of physics I guess. Wishing I'd masked a bit more carefullly and upped the noise removal, but you're right, plenty more RGB would definitely make a big improvement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jones
Haha you're welcome, but now you must put that data in AstroBin!
Great image btw!
Oops - busted! Thanks Salva for such a great site. I was getting too tired on the night and didn't initially think you could put such filter detail in, but see others have figured it out well enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cybereye
Very nice image Rob - I hope you were out last night taking advantage of the clear skies we had in Brissie! I know I was and it was a school night and all!
Great job with 253,
Cheers,
Mario
Thanks Mario!
Quote:
Originally Posted by marco
Nice details Rob and also you got a very nice overall color balance
Marco
I was looking to hopefully just get some decent core colour Marco, so really pleased to get some red and blue too. Thanks for that
I think my masking leaves bit to be desired - I often tend to end up a bit blue (green in this case) on the outskirts. A Sidonio may be required here
Try HLVG plugin for photoshop Rob that will help you delete the green cast though the image. Other wise utilize Curves and its down in the bottom end that you will have to "fiddle"
