M83 - Southern Pinwheel Galaxy

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

With the moon and cloud around, I went over some old M83 data and came up with my latest attempt. I can't remember how many hours of data I collected, but i think this is around 6 hrs (10min subs @ ISO800).

Details
Scope: 8" Newt
Mount: EQ6
Imaging camera: unmodded Canon 400D
Guide scope: 60mm f/11 Tasco refractor
Guide camera: unmodded Toucam
Guiding done by PhD

Lights, darks and flats stacked using DSS. Processing done in CS3. I used the blue channel as a synthetic luminance image.

Link to larger version (2MB)

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

That's a pretty good M83 Dan, you can even make out some structure in the two small background galaxies near the outer arm too, nice work!

Mike

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Very nice, Dan

[alpal]

Hi Dan,
Nice job on that - I love M83.
I can't wait to image it with the QHY9 this year.

I got similar results to you with a stock Canon EOS 1000d last year but had windy conditions on Mt Baw Baw -see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2471943...n/photostream/

cheers
Allan

[astronobob (Bob)]

Well done Dan, can see 5 prominant distant Galaxies in this, 1 type of result Id love to capture one day?
Nice processing & an Inspiring Image !

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

That's a pretty good M83 Dan, you can even make out some structure in the two small background galaxies near the outer arm too, nice work!

Mike

Thanks Mike. Yeah, I tried to extract some detail in these smaller galaxies without introducing too much noise.

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Dan,
Nice job on that - I love M83.
I can't wait to image it with the QHY9 this year.

I got similar results to you with a stock Canon EOS 1000d last year but had windy conditions on Mt Baw Baw -see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2471943...n/photostream/

cheers
Allan

Nice work Allan. I like your colours. I was wondering if mine was too blue. I was happy to bring out some of the Ha regions. The overall shape of my M83 is a bit more round compared to other versions. Maybe as I was able to bring out more of the outer halos?

Originally Posted by astronobob

Well done Dan, can see 5 prominant distant Galaxies in this, 1 type of result Id love to capture one day?
Nice processing & an Inspiring Image !

Thanks . It's all been a big learning curve but I'm happy with what I'm able to produce with the type of equipment I have.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by Larryp

Very nice, Dan

Oops, missed this one. Thanks Laurie

[alpal]

Dan,

Nice work Allan. I like your colours. I was wondering if mine was too blue. I was happy to bring out some of the Ha regions. The overall shape of my M83 is a bit more round compared to other versions. Maybe as I was able to bring out more of the outer halos?

Thanks Dan,
Yes - yours is more rounded.
I used more contrast than you when I did curves -
although mine ended up too black in the background.
I think in my processing that I reduced the blue to get that silvery colour.
I may have also slightly selectively brightened the arms to better
show the pinwheel structure & carefully blended it.
Anyway - yours is well done.

cheers
Allan

[Ross G]

A very nice galaxy photo Dan.

Ross.

[Jeff]

Great shot Dan. Does't rise untill the wee hours at this time of year, so I admire your dedication.

[David Fitz-Henr]

Great shot Dan! You have captured some nice details in M83 as well as the background galaxies. You also appear to have picked up the Ha regions in M83 as well, which is quite good for an unmodded DSLR.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by Ross G

A very nice galaxy photo Dan.

Ross.

Thank you Ross.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Great shot Dan. Does't rise untill the wee hours at this time of year, so I admire your dedication.

Thanks Jeff. It's actually data I collected last year. I had a go at processing it back then but I wasn't happy with it. After learning new techniques, I tried again. Much happier with it this time. I would like to try imaging it with my modded canon 30D next time.

Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr

Great shot Dan! You have captured some nice details in M83 as well as the background galaxies. You also appear to have picked up the Ha regions in M83 as well, which is quite good for an unmodded DSLR.

Cheers. Yeah I'm happy with the way I could bring up the Ha regions. A bit of selective colour adjustments did the job.