Christmas Tree Cluster and Cone Nebula Final Image added

[Hagar (Doug)]

This is a bit better than the last attempt but it is about 3.5 hrs of exposure with 15 minute subs.
The image was captured with a QHY8Pro, Takahashi FSQ106ED on a G11 mount.

This is another very dusty area of sky and with this faint nebula it is dificult to extract it from the surrounding Dust. Maybe some Ha would help this image but at this stage I am quite happy that I have captured so much and still maintained star colour.

Comments welcomed

Final image added. This is now a NB blend of 2 hrs of Ha.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Yeah nice! The fox fur really pops up now. Top work.

[TheDecepticon]

It is a hard one for sure. I tried it in my M110 with 15 min subs, but still need longer exposures, or many more of them. I still have them if you want 'em!!. Nice attempt though, much better than your first, which showed a lot of detail!

[gbeal]

Lovely Doug, gotta be happy with that surely. Yes, if you have the time and inclination try the Ha, it might help.
Gary

[Ken]

Very nice Doug as I have found imaging this over the last two nights to be difficult the detail is faint and needs many hours of imaging time. I think most of the best shots of this have come from the north with it high in the sky.
Clear skies Ken

[Garyh]

Very nicely done Doug!
I love this area and I know it`s a tough one as all is very faint but you have done it justice for sure.
If you can get a few hours of Ha it will really shine.
This is my current project too

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

Very nice indeed! Yes, a very faint area thats not easily captured.

[Lester]

Good one Doug.

[Hagar (Doug)]

I have finally finished this image by adding 2 hrs of Ha to the image.
I still haven't got this NB blending sorted but at least the star colour is a bit better this time.

[Ken Crawford (KenC)]

Very nice image of an amazing region. This area has huge dynamic range and you have captured the colors very nicely.

Ha blends and be tricky and it looks like you did a nice job working it in. Did you use a clipping mask or just add it to the red channel?

Kindest Regards,

Ken Crawford

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Not bad Doug, as Ken says there is a wide dynamic range in that area and you have tackled it pretty well. 5.5hrs at F5 with a 4" is still probably not enough..I guess.

Nice work

Mike

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Ken Crawford

Very nice image of an amazing region. This area has huge dynamic range and you have captured the colors very nicely.

Ha blends and be tricky and it looks like you did a nice job working it in. Did you use a clipping mask or just add it to the red channel?

Kindest Regards,

Ken Crawford

Thanks Ken, This is the ha only blended into the red channel. I haven't quite got my head around the clipping mask yet but will have to look into it a bit harder. I must have another look at your web site tutorials they are great so thanks for making this available to us all.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Not bad Doug, as Ken says there is a wide dynamic range in that area and you have tackled it pretty well. 5.5hrs at F5 with a 4" is still probably not enough..I guess.

Nice work

Mike

Thanks Mike, I found this area quite dificult to capture well let alone process but as my skills improve this is one area I will certainly revisit. I think more exposure is probably required and would add a bit more depth to the image. I might even give it a go with a mono camera as a bit of a comparison and see if the better sampling rate improves the image.