NGC6744 - Spiral Galaxy in Pavo

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

Another clear night here last night, and with the gear already set up from the night before I decided it was time for a bit more of a challenge. This is my longest sequence of sub exposures yet: 41 x 8 min subs @ ISO800 of the spiral galaxy NGC6744 in Pavo. I've cropped the shot as i'm getting a red 'glow' around the edge of the full frame that i'm still trying to address. (see my other M83 thread from yesterday)
I've also included a further cropped enlargement which shows off a bit more of the detail.

A good start I think. Obviously need some more data to bring out those outer arms a bit better, although some careful processing magic would probably help too. If it's clear tonight i might have another go to add to the image dataset.

As always, comments/advice welcomed

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

shot this one again last night. had planned for another 40 x 8min, but a combination of high cloud and dew cut to session to about 3 hours.

I've combined this with the subs i acquired the night before and re-stacked in DSS (another first for me - combining image data from several nights!).

This is the result. Because i had the extra 3 hours of data i didn't push this one quite so hard in the processing, so i think less noise and a more pleasing colour balance.
In total: 63 x 8 min subs @ ISO800

What do you think?

[Gem (Grant)]

Nice effort at a less common object.

[alexV]

WOW
Great shots Richard.

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

Obtained a trial version of PixInsight a few days ago, and have been experimenting and learning by reprocessing some of my previous images. All I can say is *WOW* - what an awesome piece of software! Will definitely be buying the full version when the trial expires.

This is a reprocess of my NGC6744 data from late April. I've basically just followed Harry's newbie video tutorials, and this is what i've been able to produce - a HUGE DIFFERENCE. Really starts to give me an insight into what my imaging scope and DSLR is really capable of.

The first is the "full frame" (well actually after i cropped the edges of the full frame after stacking). The second is simply a crop of that first frame to 'zoom in' on the galaxy.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Nice shootin' Richard

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Richard, I really like this shot. The small, elongated line on the very tip on the bottom arm is that NGC 6744A? I couldn't find any reference to it in Burnham's.

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

i'm don't know what that is called. however it is in Martin Pugh's shot here, so its meant to be there

[RickS (Rick)]

Yes, it is NGC 6744A.

Nice shot, BTW Richard

[Gem (Grant)]

Well done!!

[Rex]

Beautiful Richard. I actually prefer your second set to your third. Nicely done.