Pillars of Creation (well maybe a smaller version)

Paul Haese · #1 16-07-2016, 02:28 PM

I suppose one of the most iconic images of the last 20 years from Hubble is the Pillars of Creation. Its colour and detail is simply beautiful. I have tried to emulate the colour and detail, albeit not to the same stunning levels. I have tried to image this object several times over the last few years. I tried imaging it with the TSA102 and felt it lacked scale. Last year I went to image it with the RC12 but the camera broke down and that killed that idea. I think I am finally going to get around to collecting all the data I need to do it justice.

After sorting out most of the recent elongated stars problem which, I think was a combination of tilt and balance (I still need to tweak the balance a bit more), this image is a short run on NB data of 8.5 hours. I am hoping to pick up a few more hours tonight and then wait for the new moon for the RGB colour. I am not a fan of the magenta stars but I can live with that when I look at the detail of the pillars.

I still think that Harel Boren's image of this target is one of the best amateur images, but I am pretty happy with what I have achieved thus far.

Click here for high resolution image.

Tell me what you like and what you don't like. It's probably a little dark for some.

Atmos (Colin) · #2 16-07-2016, 02:56 PM

It's really nice Paul. I don't think it being darker matters in this area with your FOV. As the Pillars are clearly the main subject not showing up the fainter dusty regions isn't of great importance.

Somnium (Aidan) · #3 16-07-2016, 02:58 PM

That is really nice Paul , well done. What noise reduction techniques did you use to get that background so smooth?

codemonkey (Lee) · #4 16-07-2016, 03:22 PM

Nice work Paul. I really like the soft colour transitions from the pillars out. Nice and smooth.

atalas · #5 16-07-2016, 04:05 PM

Paul what great detail in the pillars!quite awesome....the colour is wonderful too although I find that the heavy red saturation detracts me from the main structures,still,I think I can live with that!

Andy01 (Andy) · #6 16-07-2016, 04:14 PM

Holy smokin' duckfeathers Batman!

That detail is exquisite

Hard to believe it's from an amateur!
I'm tipping when you get around to finishing this, it'll be an early favourite for next years' Malins.

Really top shelf stuff Paul - I doff my hat to you

Stevec35 (Steve) · #7 16-07-2016, 04:37 PM

Looking good Paul! It rather resembles my last NB effort on this thing with the STXL6303. To me the red is distracting so I would tone that down a bit. Of course that's only my opinion.

Cheers

Steve

Paul Haese · #8 16-07-2016, 06:09 PM

Thanks guys,

I have now seen the red in a darkened room and agree that it needs toning down. Duly toned down. Check the link if you like. I have included a revised thumb nail here.

Paul Haese · #9 16-07-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

That is really nice Paul , well done. What noise reduction techniques did you use to get that background so smooth?

Aidan I try not to use any noise reduction on my images. Some times it is unavoidable but in this instance it has not been necessary. When I do use noise reduction I use a reveal mask and noise reduce that way. Jim Mysti on his website has the detail on the technique.

Placidus (Mike and Trish) · #10 16-07-2016, 06:26 PM

Smooth and crisp and beautiful. Excellent.

Somnium (Aidan) · #11 16-07-2016, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Aidan I try not to use any noise reduction on my images. Some times it is unavoidable but in this instance it has not been necessary. When I do use noise reduction I use a reveal mask and noise reduce that way. Jim Mysti on his website has the detail on the technique.

Wow, that is unbelievably smooth for the integration time you have ... i was just doing a comparison to my Ha data and the noise levels are unfavourable, maybe my ML8300 is just a heck of a lot more noisy than your camera

DavidU (Dave) · #12 16-07-2016, 09:05 PM

Smooth as a babies.....
excellent.

Paul Haese · #13 17-07-2016, 10:37 AM

Thanks guys for the comments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

Wow, that is unbelievably smooth for the integration time you have ... i was just doing a comparison to my Ha data and the noise levels are unfavourable, maybe my ML8300 is just a heck of a lot more noisy than your camera

I don't know, maybe it is the sub exposure length that is contributing here. I am using 20 minute subs on this target in narrow band. The 8300 sensor does produce a salt and pepper look to the background often and requires a lot of integration time to produce smoother results in my experience. The read noise of the 8300 sensor is as I understand it lower than the 11002 sensor. Maybe Rick or Ray can chime in here for a more comprehensive answer.

Somnium (Aidan) · #14 17-07-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Thanks guys for the comments.

I don't know, maybe it is the sub exposure length that is contributing here. I am using 20 minute subs on this target in narrow band. The 8300 sensor does produce a salt and pepper look to the background often and requires a lot of integration time to produce smoother results in my experience. The read noise of the 8300 sensor is as I understand it lower than the 11002 sensor. Maybe Rick or Ray can chime in here for a more comprehensive answer.

interesting, i might try a few things with binning and exposure length. It is images like this one that really drive me to improve, thanks for posting

atalas · #15 17-07-2016, 02:10 PM

Excellent....the stars still have a nice luminosity shinning through them as well.

gregbradley · #16 17-07-2016, 04:59 PM

Beautiful round stars. You certainly sorted that out. A very detailed Eagle.

Greg.

Rigel003 (Graeme) · #17 17-07-2016, 10:16 PM

Beautiful image Paul. Very dramatic and moody with lots of fined detail.

astronobob (Bob) · #18 17-07-2016, 11:00 PM

Gotta Like a Good Eagle - mighty noice Paul

DJT (David) · #19 17-07-2016, 11:23 PM

Great image Paul. I think the colour choices are spot on bringing out the detail well and as everyone says, nice and smooth.

gregbradley · #20 18-07-2016, 11:38 AM

Great image Paul. Lovely detail. Only comment is as you point out it may be too dark for some. Its a tad dark for me but not by much. It does make it a bit moody in the darker colour.

I think also the smoothness comes from the full frame size of the sensor versus the smaller size of the 8300 sensor. The 11002 is has several times the imaging area and light collection area of the 8300 chip. SBIG STXL read noise is listed at 11 electrons and the FLI ML8300 is 11 electrons also. QSI's 8300 may be a bit lower. Also scope aperture plays a big part. Big sensor large aperture is still the king formula. I remember really liking Russell Cromans Horsehead nebula and was stunned to find out it was something like an hour and a half exposure time with a 20 inch RC and STL11.

Greg.