Thors Helmet with 19 hours of data - Page 2

Rodstar (Rod) · #21 11-01-2010, 01:52 PM

That is a lot of work there Paul. Thanks for posting it.

I was visually observing Thors Helmet from my backyard a few days ago, with the OIII filter I could make out the overall shape etc, but to see the detail in your image is taking things to another universe! I look forward to further study of this object under dark skies. In particular, the part which extends above the helmet - that was not something I particularly noticed the other day.

multiweb (Marc) · #22 11-01-2010, 02:49 PM

Beautiful intricate details in the neb. Top shot indeed.

Garyh · #23 11-01-2010, 04:32 PM

Nice work Paul! All that time has payed off!
Might give the helmet a go tonight!
cheers Gary

Gallifreyboy · #24 11-01-2010, 04:51 PM

By Odin thats sensational

strongmanmike (Michael) · #25 12-01-2010, 02:14 AM

Yep, that's a very fine image Paul

Your colours look great and the detail is really good too.

I'm not sure what is causing your noise problem, I looked at the files you sent and I notice there is patchyness in your Lum shot that is being revealed when you combine the colour data, strange but I have seen this before and have never been quite sure what's going on

may be in your DDP process of shadows highlights filter or something similar used on the Lum (Ha)..?

I dunno but when Thors Helmet is displayed in this orientation it always looks like the Magic Pudding to me, running along

.....

...

Mike

Paul Haese · #26 12-01-2010, 10:51 AM

Mike now you see what I mean. It is quite odd. I think just adding 5 or so hours of Lum could solve most of the noise issue. The stretch in CCDstack will not have to be as hard to get the histogram up and this will most likely prevent the noise from appearing. Just a theory but one that I am going to test.

It does look a bit like a magic pudding. Except I see it flying.

robin · #27 12-01-2010, 12:56 PM

Stunning Paul. I always keep an eye out for your work & am always blown away by your dedication

richardo (Rich) · #28 12-01-2010, 01:47 PM

This is a beautiful image Paul.
Looks like you have things ironed out with your scope.
Your colour looks spot on!

This time of the year in SA(over here at least) is a pain I've found over the years. For me being on the far west coast... about 10hrs West nor west of you, the evening skies are filled full of dust, heat haze and salt particles.. very rarely can I get good tight stars... but we keep at it!
I've been doing quite a few projects and one of them is 'Thors'. However everything is soft looking and the 'bubble' lacks clarity, unlike your rendition.
The amount of hours you invested is well worth the effort.

After another hot spell of 6 days around 42-44*C, am glad the cool change has hit...
Maybe things will clean up some...

Keep up the good work.
Rich

RobF (Rob) · #29 12-01-2010, 09:57 PM

Stunning work Paul. Sounds like the search for perfection continues!

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #30 12-01-2010, 10:33 PM

Very nice work Paul - and what a marathon effort!!

Cheers, Marcus

Paul Haese · #31 13-01-2010, 09:29 AM

Thanks all for the comments.

Rich, I don't have the dust problem down at Clayton. Air quality is pretty good there and particulate matter is kept to a minimum. My seeing there has been tested and rated at around 1 arc second on average. It can peak as high as 0.78 arc seconds. Only real issue there is cloud can be a problem at times.

Ric · #32 13-01-2010, 10:04 AM

I'm glad I caught up with this thread.

What an excellent image Paul, all that time really payed off.

Fine work indeed.

gregbradley · #33 14-01-2010, 04:11 AM

That's a great image Paul and a tremendous effort. The long exposure times really pay off and are the way to go if you can get the skies and time.

Greg.

RB (Andrew) · #34 15-01-2010, 10:15 AM

That's a fantastic image Paul.
It certainly pays off in the end when you expose for longer.
19 hours is a feat !

Well done on this fantastic shot.

My only suggestion is to maybe try and crop the RHS so you can centre the Helmet in the frame.

spearo (Frank) · #35 15-01-2010, 10:33 AM

Woah!
Just saw this image.
What a top shot !

fine detail and razor sharp too.
just beautiful! Something for me to aspire to.

well done
frank

Dennis · #36 15-01-2010, 11:23 AM

That’s a beautiful portrait of this fascinating structure. I’m also impressed by your dedication to the art; these multi-session projects certainly lift these images to a new level of clarity, depth and beauty. The detail in the “helmet” is quite exquisite – nice processing!

Cheers

Dennis

allan gould · #37 15-01-2010, 03:32 PM

Absolutely brilliant image. I just don't know how you have the patience and perserverence for the type of imaging you do. Dedication springs to mind.
Im all to ready, once Ive got some sort of image, to go to the next object and see whats there.

telemarker (Keith) · #38 15-01-2010, 03:38 PM

This is one hell of an image. The detail and colour are exceptional. This is something to aspire to when I get some serious toys..... and you haven't finished!!!

Top quality imaging.

Regards
Keith

AlexN · #39 15-01-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB

My only suggestion is to maybe try and crop the RHS so you can centre the Helmet in the frame.

I dunno Andrew, I think the 2/3rds principal extends from photography into astro photography.. I really quite like seeing targets interestingly framed... All too often you see images with a target dead center in the field of view... Whilst on some larger targets its the only way to do it, sometimes I find it a little monotonous... I really liked the off center framing of this shot...

erick (Eric) · #40 15-01-2010, 03:50 PM

Lovely, Paul. I have always loved the colours in this object - soft with a nice transition between them.