M16s

[Benjamin (Ben)]

Had a lot of fun processing this Broadband and Narrowband data on and off over the last month or so, with variable results. I find I’m more and more determined to get better LRGB images, which I find challenging from Bortle 6/7 skies. Initially the plan was just to see if I could use an ASI2600MM-Pro with my rather unstable f4 8” Carbon Fibre Newtonian (the camera is weightier than my previous ASI1600 and the APS-C sensor really shows collimation errors). In the end I was okay with the slightly wonky results, given the portable setup and the time I had (or didn’t have) to deal with the issues. Broadband luminance was the real challenge but in the end this was better than it had been previously with the ASI1600. The narrowband clearly provided a lot more detail but had the challenge of attempting to make it look convincing as a deep space object. The golden HOO foraxx combo was a bit of a stretch :-/ Then, it almost goes without saying, one is always keen to make the comparison with the iconic Hubble (and now JWST) image. Not sure I’ve achieved much with the images per se but it’s been a fascinating time mucking around with the various possibilities in PixInsight. Comments/criticisms/suggestions always welcome.
Details here:
Broadband - https://www.astrobin.com/full/6b42bp/J/
Narrowband - https://www.astrobin.com/full/444y8c/C/
Narrowband starless - https://www.astrobin.com/full/ee4dr7/0/

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

A lovely convocation of Eagles there Ben The colour choices work pretty well. In this, me mobile phone screen is all I need, age, I always like to view images on a proper monitor, if I can, this is the best way to appreciate an image. Of course, while many, even most, images can look ok-good at fit to window size... I also always like to look at the full res of an image (if provided) as this is the reeeeal test, this is where one can see the true quality of an image and have to say, in this case they all look pretty good to me

Mike

[Benjamin (Ben)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

A lovely convocation of Eagles there Ben The colour choices work pretty well. In this, me mobile phone screen is all I need, age, I always like to view images on a proper monitor, if I can, this is the best way to appreciate an image. Of course, while many, even most, images can look ok-good at fit to window size... I also always like to look at the full res of an image (if provided) as this is the reeeeal test, this is where one can see the true quality of an image and have to say, in this case they all look pretty good to me

Mike

The Hubble comparison I think is more a mobile friendly image! :-) I process images on my small 13” MacBook Pro which I’m hoping is colour accurate. I’ve had occasion when an image has been projected and the colour was not at all what I expected which made me wonder if something was wrong with my screen calibration. Very glad you like the hi res images though :-) There are a couple of little reflection nebula in the LRGB image that are just vaguely suggested here (just below the pillars and in the left outer ‘wing’) and it is these I wonder if much darker sky can help to resolve?

[petershah (Peter Shah)]

Both have their own charm, but overall I like the RGB....great job

[Benjamin (Ben)]

Originally Posted by petershah

Both have their own charm, but overall I like the RGB....great job

Thanks Peter. I’d do everything in LRGB with sky and travel time permitting!

[AdamJL]

phwoar, that starless is something else

[Benjamin (Ben)]

Originally Posted by AdamJL

phwoar, that starless is something else

Cheers Adam. Starless is always a bit of fun. It’s a bit nuts (sharpening/colour) but figure that kind of image is where you can go a bit nuts!

[Addos (Adam)]

Thats a fine suite of images from a quality data set. Good job Ben! Looks sharp and striking!

[Benjamin (Ben)]

Originally Posted by Addos

Thats a fine suite of images from a quality data set. Good job Ben! Looks sharp and striking!

Cheers Adam. I’m liking the idea of a suite of images. When I had the 12” Dob out more often I imagined adding a hand drawn sketch to the suite of images, as a kind of comprehensive survey, although now I’m thinking maybe a widefield shot might be more contextually interesting..?

[Addos (Adam)]

interesting thought. I think either adds value to the ablum. As someone who cant draw to save his life, I would find a drawing interesting! Bit of historical context


A widefield is also a great contextual element from a spatial standpoint. If you're able, do both!