Centaurus A intricate dust lane

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

For those that didn't get to openning this image variation from my Ultra Deep Cen A album I thought it might interest you?

This crop of the original data was composed from 90min each of R, G & B and processed to bring out the finer detais of the dust lane
(If you scroll down you can also find a VLT image of the Cen A dust lane):

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97014931/original

This data set has proved to be many images in one.

Cheers

Mike

[jase (Jason)]

Lovely Mike. Strangely, I prefer this version compared to your ultra "stretched" processing to bring out the extragalactic molecular clouds. A more natural feel is present. Well done.

[AlexN]

Its a stunner! I love Cent-A's bright halo.

Well shot mike... Definitely an image to be proud of.

[skeltz (Rob)]

Nice rendition mike,not to shabby at all.

[beren]

what a stunner, top work

[renormalised (Carl)]

Excellent work there, Mike

[Phil]

Great shot Mike well done mate.
Phil

[Matty P (Matt)]

Superb Mike.

The detail in the dust lane is fantastic.

Very well done.

[gregbradley]

Very nice Mike. I like your images Mike, they are a constant reminder how nice refractor images are.

Greg.

[Ric]

Just lurve that dust lane Mike.

Very nice indeed.

[iceman (Mike)]

That's really nice, Mike! I love it.

It's very unique looking, we don't see too many galaxies with that same feel.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by jase

Lovely Mike. Strangely, I prefer this version compared to your ultra "stretched" processing to bring out the extragalactic molecular clouds. A more natural feel is present. Well done.

Yes the extensive and high quality data obtained from a very dark sky allowed me to produce several unique variations with each image showcasing different aspects of the galaxy. Being able to present the very faintest details from the galactic cirrus right down to the very finest details in the dust lane has been eye openning. This has been my deffining work to date and the image set is like my family now so I can't pick a favourite really

Originally Posted by AlexN

Its a stunner! I love Cent-A's bright halo.

Well shot mike... Definitely an image to be proud of.

Cheers Alex, like I said to Jase I am in love with this data set

Originally Posted by rpsastronomy

Nice rendition mike,not to shabby at all.

Cheers

Originally Posted by beren

what a stunner, top work

Glad you liked it

Originally Posted by renormalised

Excellent work there, Mike

Cheers

Originally Posted by Phil

Great shot Mike well done mate.
Phil

Thanks

Originally Posted by Matty P

Superb Mike.

The detail in the dust lane is fantastic.

Very well done.

Thanks Matt, the conditions at Wiruna for this project were pretty well perfect, 100% clear for 3 nights, no wind and at least average seeing improving to excellent each night.

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Very nice Mike. I like your images Mike, they are a constant reminder how nice refractor images are.


Greg

Cheers Greg

Yep a high quality 6" APO is hard to beat and cheaper than a larger RC too

Originally Posted by Ric

Just lurve that dust lane Mike.

Very nice indeed.

LOts of details huh?

Originally Posted by iceman

That's really nice, Mike! I love it.

It's very unique looking, we don't see too many galaxies with that same feel.

I agree, Cen A is an amazing galaxy and I really wanted to cover all her qualities and showcase all her features and recon I have done this reasonably well with this data set. It's not just another pretty space art like picture with all sorts of convoluted processing but rather a collection of modestly processed but revealing images of a single object, so I have a feeling of real accomplishment actually ...now back to saring at my beautiful galactic children

[renormalised (Carl)]

Those children look busy there, Mike

[tornado33]

I always appreciate people who push their gear to the limit, getting better and better results, this from 6 inches of aperature is just such an example.
Scott

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by tornado33

I always appreciate people who push their gear to the limit, getting better and better results, this from 6 inches of aperature is just such an example.
Scott

Thankyou Scott, I think you may have enjoyed my children too?

[richardo (Rich)]

Nicely done done Mike.
Always an issue to over sharpen, add too much contrast, colour and just over do things.
I reckon to let the camera do the talking and just highlight what it has achieved is the way to go.
Cause good data and plenty there of is the only way to get excellent results.

You have done this very well..... as usual.

Hope you're able to cut through the muck and get a few images while the moon wains.
Nothin' but crud here

All the best
Rich