M20 and M16

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Last night seemed like one of the best nights I've had this year for imaging so I decided to have an all-nighter.

I got off to a slow start with some dew issues however once that was resolved I managed to get 28x5mins of M20 and 20x5mins of M16 before I couldn't keep me eyes open any longer.

Having now processed both I would have been better off to stick with M20 and get more data but a satisfying night in any case.

I think the elongated star issue I was having a week ago is less pronounced in these images.

Comments welcome.

[dcalleja]

I like the star colours in M20. I neve seem to be able to capture that

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Thanks Dan. I have found it very difficult to get the blue nebulosity whenever I've tried to image M20. There sure are a lot of stars in this region.

Peter

[allan gould]

Two really great shots Peter. Nice focus, tracking etc. More subs and they would have been really spectacular, but nevertheless they show what the camera is really capable of. With your current equipment there will no holding you back at Astrofest.

[RobF (Rob)]

2 great shots. I love the detail coming to light in M16. Wish I had something like that to show for past efforts.

I recall being shocked at how many more stars, nebulosity and dust were visible on extended shots from Qld Astrofest versus backyard with filter. Seems obvious in hindsight. All the extra stars can get distracting though. Great Triffid too.

Taken with the QHY8Pro Peter?

[ChrisM]

Well done Peter. I also love the multitude of colours in M20 - both in the nebula and the stars.

What scope and camera did you use?

Chris

[bloodhound31]

I really like the Eagle here. It is in keeping with my preference for "real" looking images. The colours are natural, not pushed or overcooked. Apart from the slightly elongated stars, this is a fine image. Sure, more subs would be nice, but this has a very deep feel to it, almost 3D say you look through the veil of bright stars to see the nebula behind.

Baz.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice images Peter, M20 is my pick of the two. M16 seems to lack a bit of contrast around the core and displays a lot of compression artifacts.

[spearo (Frank)]

lovely work there
I reckon you could push the saturation a little bit to get them to stand out a bit.
nice work
frank

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by allan gould

Two really great shots Peter. Nice focus, tracking etc. More subs and they would have been really spectacular, but nevertheless they show what the camera is really capable of. With your current equipment there will no holding you back at Astrofest.

Thanks Allan. It's all coming together now and I must get into the habit of sticking with one object all night. Hopefully the weather improves soon.

Originally Posted by RobF

2 great shots. I love the detail coming to light in M16. Wish I had something like that to show for past efforts.

I recall being shocked at how many more stars, nebulosity and dust were visible on extended shots from Qld Astrofest versus backyard with filter. Seems obvious in hindsight. All the extra stars can get distracting though. Great Triffid too.

Taken with the QHY8Pro Peter?

Thanks Rob. This is a really great time of year for imaging with these magnificant objects coming into view. Can't wait for Astrofest to get some decent horizons and dark skies. Yes this was the new QHY8 pro.

Originally Posted by ChrisM

Well done Peter. I also love the multitude of colours in M20 - both in the nebula and the stars.

What scope and camera did you use?

Chris - this was through my 10" newt, paracorr and QHY8 pro.

Chris

Originally Posted by bloodhound31

I really like the Eagle here. It is in keeping with my preference for "real" looking images. The colours are natural, not pushed or overcooked. Apart from the slightly elongated stars, this is a fine image. Sure, more subs would be nice, but this has a very deep feel to it, almost 3D say you look through the veil of bright stars to see the nebula behind.

Baz.

Thanks Baz. I try to hold back a bit on the processing and still have a long way to go. I'm hoping to resolve the star issue with the spacers that arrived today however I did have some guiding problems when I did the M16 issue relating to having to do a medidian flip (guiding in the east was fine).

Originally Posted by Hagar

Nice images Peter, M20 is my pick of the two. M16 seems to lack a bit of contrast around the core and displays a lot of compression artifacts.

Thanks Doug. Don't know what to do about the jpeg compression 200k just isn't enough!

Originally Posted by spearo

lovely work there
I reckon you could push the saturation a little bit to get them to stand out a bit.
nice work
frank

Thanks Frank. Will have to have another play with the processing when I've caught up on some sleep.

[ozstronomer (Geoff)]

Peter,

Great shots!! you seem to be getting the hang of that new camera.

Stars look tight and round and the colours are brilliant

Great work....worth staying up for

Geoff

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Lovely Peter.
It's hard sticking to just the one object when there are so many out there screaming to be imaged.