Astrofest Helix v1-12h

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Hi all. This is a relatively unpushed processing of some helix data collected at Qld A.F recently. This seems to be a hard object to process easily, and exposing the outer halos clearly and smoothly along with the rest of the detail is frustratingly difficult. I figure I need more ex time, or more apature, or both. Anyway, I like this version, more a'la naturel, and not to lairy compared with some. Details- LRGB 360, 120, 120, 120. All subs 10 mins 1x1. TSA 120, SXVR-H16, Maxim 5, PS 5. Comments, hints and tips appreciated. Thanks for looking,. Hi res link below.

http://imgboot.com/images/philip/new8.jpg

[desler]

Nice one Darrell. A very difficult object to process but you've done very well.

Darren

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

It's look pretty damn good to me Darrell. Spot on with the processing.

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

Very nice shot Darrell.

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

Great image. I think the key to the Helix is making good use with what you have managed to pull down. Looks like you have done that!

[Ross G]

Great photo Darrell.

Smooth, natural colours and excellent detail.

Ross.

[h0ughy (David)]

i get an incorrect link?

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Sorry guys, I fixed the link!

http://imgboot.com/images/philip/new8.jpg

[DavidTrap (David)]

Can't wait til you push it!!!!!

DT

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Thanks for all your comments!

[Ric]

Fantastic image Darrell

You have captured the faint outer shell very nicely.

[Paul Haese]

This is a tough object, I am currently working on this target myself. The key I found is long subs, especially in Ha and Lum. Try to capture these is you can. I am using a TSA102 and this link shows what can be captured with that. So using a 120 should give you a slight edge over the 102.

Also once you have this data you can do a luminosity layer as a add on to the assembled data. This really helped with my image. It was quite noisey before I added the luminosity layer.

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Thanks Paul. Good trick, double lum, I'll give this a go with some Ha data I already have

[TrevorW]

Well done Darrell looks very natural

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Nice image Darrell, but you should be able to bring out more detail. I did a quick DDP in CCDStack and there is a BIG faint halo on the right hand side of the main neb. I've seen suggestions that one way to bring this out is to do a deep binned luminosity (so grossly overexposing the main neb) and layer it over the unbinned pic. Never tried it myself, but is one of the things on my to do list.
Geoff