M20 LHaRGB

Paul Haese · #1 07-09-2015, 03:12 PM

I have managed to pick up quite a few hours of RGB data with a few clear nights recently despite the forecasts.

This image is 11 hours of integration time, most of which is from the Ha data. I think I probably need a bit more RGB and L data to fill the image out to my liking but I am running out of time now. There is only about 4 hours of imaging time a night (down to 40 degrees altitude), some of that is being taken up by focusing or waiting for the meridian flip. So I doubt I will get much more data this year on the object. Though I will try to capture more if the chances arise.

I can't really decide which of the two images I have produced I like more. The detailing is the same for both but the colouring is different and that is what will attract people to one over the other.

Click here for larger resolution image.

gregbradley · #2 07-09-2015, 03:18 PM

I like this version. Classic beautiful crimson colours.

Greg.

Atmos (Colin) · #3 07-09-2015, 03:25 PM

I am just in love with how 3D it appears :-)

RickS (Rick) · #4 07-09-2015, 03:41 PM

Classic colours do it for me too, Paul!

Octane (Humayun) · #5 07-09-2015, 04:02 PM

This is sublime, mate. Stunning.

H

Placidus (Mike and Trish) · #6 07-09-2015, 05:09 PM

Hi, Paul,

I can see it's a superb rendition, and well done, but I far prefer the more Hubble-Palette look.

Thrilled that you did both.
Best,
Mike

Stevec35 (Steve) · #7 07-09-2015, 05:12 PM

Looks great to me Paul. I just can't take my eyes off those stunning dust lanes.

Cheers

Steve

Peter Ward · #8 07-09-2015, 06:15 PM

Nicely done. I do like the colours in this version.

Somnium (Aidan) · #9 07-09-2015, 06:31 PM

it is hard to choose between them, i like the natural colour and intensity of this one, but your NB image has such depth that looks fantastic. i guess it depends on your mood for the day ...

Somnium (Aidan) · #10 07-09-2015, 06:37 PM

i also noticed that this image has picked up quite a bit more dust than the other one, is that just down to how you processed it or due to the RGB data ?

Paul Haese · #11 07-09-2015, 07:24 PM

Thanks Peter, for your comment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

I like this version. Classic beautiful crimson colours.

Greg.

Thanks Greg. I thought people might prefer this over the NB version. It is a traditional object after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

I am just in love with how 3D it appears :-)

Just contrasting masks in the processing, but thanks all the same Colin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

Classic colours do it for me too, Paul!

I thought you might like that. Thanks Rick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

This is sublime, mate. Stunning.

H

Thanks H, that is sort of what I was aiming for. Happy you think it is so good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Placidus

Hi, Paul,

I can see it's a superb rendition, and well done, but I far prefer the more Hubble-Palette look.

Thrilled that you did both.
Best,
Mike

Thanks Mike. I like the multitude of colours myself and it is my preference. You know I had to do both versions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevec35

Looks great to me Paul. I just can't take my eyes off those stunning dust lanes.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, Those lanes have been a complete revelation right from the start of this target. When I looked at the luminance data several months ago I was immediately impressed by the detail in the lanes. I did have to be careful about how much I sharpened them though. Too much and it would have looked over done. I think I got the balance right in the end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

it is hard to choose between them, i like the natural colour and intensity of this one, but your NB image has such depth that looks fantastic. i guess it depends on your mood for the day ...

Thanks Aidan and I understand. It's good that some think one version is better than the other and reinforces in my mind that there are many ways to see things in imaging.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

i also noticed that this image has picked up quite a bit more dust than the other one, is that just down to how you processed it or due to the RGB data ?

The RGB data does did brighten up the data a bit, but I think I might have stretched this one just a little bit more than the NB version.

Regulus (Trevor) · #12 07-09-2015, 07:50 PM

That deep, rich, black background really makes the nebula stand right out. Colours are classic and it looks great.
There's some nice detail in the larger image that got my attention.

A good result Paul.

Trev

Leonardo70 (Leonardo Orazi) · #13 07-09-2015, 07:54 PM

Great image Paul.

All the best,
Leo

John K · #14 07-09-2015, 09:50 PM

Hi Paul,

I think both images have something to offer.

Have you thought about actually combining both images and then going for the midway point between the two?

I know that this is not a purist approach to imaging but perhaps an alternative.

John K.

SimmoW (SIMON) · #15 07-09-2015, 10:29 PM

Holy resolution Batman! so 3D, love it Paul

Paul Haese · #16 08-09-2015, 09:08 AM

Thanks Trevor and Leo for your comments.

Trevor I used the same star layering for both images, so I am not sure why it would appear there is a loss of star colour in one. Maybe the saturation is not quite the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John K

Hi Paul,

I think both images have something to offer.

Have you thought about actually combining both images and then going for the midway point between the two?

I know that this is not a purist approach to imaging but perhaps an alternative.

John K.

Thanks John. I did try a combination of both and the colouring was more muted and did not look right. I lost a fair bit of the 3D look too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimmoW

Holy resolution Batman! so 3D, love it Paul

Thanks Simon. The 3D look can be achieved by using selective contrast masking on different parts of the object. I find it is an effective means of showing some depth to an object.

Regulus (Trevor) · #17 08-09-2015, 11:47 PM

Paul, your right. i just checked and your right.
I put it down to fine tuning a new monitor during the course of the evening.

Trev

marco (Marco Lorenzi) · #18 10-09-2015, 05:08 PM

Definitely my preference goes to this one

Excellent rendition Paul!
Clear skies
Marco

topheart · #19 12-09-2015, 06:02 PM

That's a top notch Trifid indeed!
I don't think I have seen anything better for a long time.

Masterful!!

Thanks,
Tim

Paul Haese · #20 12-09-2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco

Definitely my preference goes to this one

Excellent rendition Paul!
Clear skies
Marco

Thanks Marco, I could have bet this would be your preference. Happy to know you like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by topheart

That's a top notch Trifid indeed!
I don't think I have seen anything better for a long time.

Masterful!!

Thanks,
Tim

Thanks Tim. Nice of you to say so.