M104 and M20

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

OK OK OK, got it.

Actually, I did think that it was a bit too neon when processing, but the data wanted to go that way, so I let it. I will have another look, but whatever results will be version 2.

Just added the teal green comment

Seriously, mate it is perfect otherwise

Mike

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Just added the teal green comment

Seriously, mate it is perfect otherwise

Mike

I was concerned by the lack of green as well, but couldn't get it to shine through without fiddling with separate masks, so I left it as it wanted to be. As said, I am still trying to understand how color works, so will have another try at it. Regards Ray

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

OK OK OK, got it.

Actually, I did think that it was a bit too neon when processing, but the data wanted to go that way, so I let it - and I ended up liking it (a bit like eating a grapefruit). I will have another look though, but whatever results will be version 2.

I reckon if there's brown or green in it then it must be real. Your skies are dark enough. Bring on the real colors. Don't worry about the HLVG mob.

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Fantastic work, Ray! The M104 is a dead set cracker!!

Well done!

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

I reckon if there's brown or green in it then it must be real. Your skies are dark enough. Bring on the real colors. Don't worry about the HLVG mob.

Yes, there is, that is what I was saying, not to remove the green.

Mama mia

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

this was through the SW 250f4. the fl is 1m and the sampling is 0.91 arcsec/pix with the 694 camera.

So I assume this is the cropped central area correct? About 25% off the edges? This fov is close to what I get with the C11 + x.64 reducer.
Great image scale.
Did you use the AO at all? You've picked up bucket loads of small milky way stars and details.
You've mentioned poor seeing? If that's poor seeing in SA I'm not too sure what good seeing means in Sydney then.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Yes, there is, that is what I was saying, not to remove the green.

Mama mia

I wasn't talking about you.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

I wasn't talking about you.

Oh?...so who said get rid of the green then.....ok, where are they? come out, I'll get rid of their green for'em

Mike

[SpaceNoob (Chris)]

Two pretty damn stunning images there Ray, wish I could get my stars to look like that! I just end up with fuzzballs.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

I reckon if there's brown or green in it then it must be real. Your skies are dark enough. Bring on the real colors. Don't worry about the HLVG mob.

OK

Originally Posted by Rod771

Fantastic work, Ray! The M104 is a dead set cracker!!

Well done!

thanks Rod!

Originally Posted by multiweb

So I assume this is the cropped central area correct? About 25% off the edges? This fov is close to what I get with the C11 + x.64 reducer.
Great image scale.
Did you use the AO at all? You've picked up bucket loads of small milky way stars and details.
You've mentioned poor seeing? If that's poor seeing in SA I'm not too sure what good seeing means in Sydney then.

the M104 is about 80% of the full image (5Mpix)
no AO, just ordinary guiding through a modified finderscope. The good thermal control of the ROR observatory seems to help with seeing.
I used "Fits Image grader" to find those subs that had below par seeing and reject them. even on good nights there are some subs where the seeing has fallen off for a short while. The seeing for the remaining M104 subs averaged out at ~2 arcsec - not sure how that compares with your site, but it was pretty good for here.

Originally Posted by SpaceNoob

Two pretty damn stunning images there Ray, wish I could get my stars to look like that! I just end up with fuzzballs.

Thanks Chris. I just looked up your M20 - thought your stars looked fine - in fact its a top image all round.

regards Ray

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

The seeing for the remaining M104 subs averaged out at ~2 arcsec - not sure how that compares with your site, but it was pretty good for here.

Best FWHM I've ever had was 1.7 but that was Ha. Don't get much 2s here in Sydney especially in color. Between 2.5 and 3 on a good night. Exceptionally 1.9 from Ilford which is higher but that's only a couple of nights per year.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Very very nice Ray, I love both of them, especially m104 also seeing the antennae in m20 is impressive.

Russ

[Paul Haese]

Lovely images Ray. I really liked both of them. I dare say that your M104 is as nice as mine and I am very proud of that shot; as well as you should be of this. Colour is excellent, back ground nice and silky and detail is nicely handled. It's my favourite of the two.

M20 is superbly processed with lovely star colours and smooth background. Certainly a bench mark standard to review when my time comes to image it in long focal length.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

Very very nice Ray, I love both of them, especially m104 also seeing the antennae in m20 is impressive.

Russ

thanks for the comments Russ.

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Lovely images Ray. I really liked both of them. I dare say that your M104 is as nice as mine and I am very proud of that shot; as well as you should be of this. Colour is excellent, back ground nice and silky and detail is nicely handled. It's my favourite of the two.

M20 is superbly processed with lovely star colours and smooth background. Certainly a bench mark standard to review when my time comes to image it in long focal length.

Thanks Paul - very generous. Looking forward to your M20.

regards Ray

[LewisM]

That 104...just...wow. Simply WOW.

I think M20 looks OK colourwise - better than most that is for sure - but the resolution and detail, again, wow.

[LucasB (Lucas)]

I love both of these images. This version of M104 has become my favourite astro image of all time. Awesome!
Lucas

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

The detail in M104 is astounding an I like the colour in M20! Really shows what a 10 inch F4 Newtonian can do.

[CosmicEcho]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

I really liked both of them. I dare say that your M104 is as nice as mine

Sorry Paul, but this image is superior. It has better colour. sports a more honest halo around the galaxy, and the stars, well, they are better as well.

This has my .

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

That 104...just...wow. Simply WOW.

I think M20 looks OK colourwise - better than most that is for sure - but the resolution and detail, again, wow.

Thanks Lewis - appreciate the comments. I guess I could have done better on the M20 colour, but maybe will get back to it sometime in the future.

Originally Posted by LucasB

I love both of these images. This version of M104 has become my favourite astro image of all time. Awesome!
Lucas

Thanks you Lucas - very glad you liked it.

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

The detail in M104 is astounding an I like the colour in M20! Really shows what a 10 inch F4 Newtonian can do.

Thanks Kevin. I was very lucky with the seeing and the scope seems to have done its job.

Originally Posted by CosmicEcho

Sorry Paul, but this image is superior. It has better colour. sports a more honest halo around the galaxy, and the stars, well, they are better as well.

This has my .

Thanks for the sentiment Cosmic - very much appreciated. However, I do think that Paul's image is a very fine one in all respects .

regards Ray

[RickS (Rick)]

Another couple of great images, Ray! I've been away for a few weeks and there has been some amazing stuff posted. Perhaps I need to go overseas more often