Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: RobertM on Oct 11, 2008, 16:56:41

Title: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: RobertM on Oct 11, 2008, 16:56:41
This took this over a couple of days due to cloud and needing sleep.  This is the first time I think I've got to grips with Luminance layering but still some way to go... wip !

Capture details:

Nebula Sh2-171 in Cepheus.

Date: 2-4/10/2008 (Ha) and 8/10/2008 (RGB)
Camera: Starlight-Xpress SXV-H9
Filter: Astronomik 13nm Ha
Subs: 30 x 10min (Ha) + 6 x 5min (each RGB)
Scope: Takahashi Sky90@f/4.5 guided by ED80 + Atik16ic on a Takahashi NJP mount

Ha image

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/normal_Sh2-171_doublesize_bias_DDP_p1.jpg)

Full res: http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/Sh2-171_doublesize_bias_DDP_p1.jpg (http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/Sh2-171_doublesize_bias_DDP_p1.jpg)

Ha + HaRGB

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/normal_Sh2-171-HaHaRGB_doublesize_p2.jpg)

Full Res: http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/Sh2-171-HaHaRGB_doublesize_p2.jpg (http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/Sh2-171-HaHaRGB_doublesize_p2.jpg)

(Changed full-size img tags to url tags - Rick)
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Fay on Oct 11, 2008, 18:04:04
Robert, very nice, & a change of subject.

Fay
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: JohnP on Oct 11, 2008, 19:07:37
Hi Robert looks good & like Fay says an unusual subject. I prefer the monochrome. The colour looks too saturated... I like the bit in the middle on the full size image... great..

John
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Oct 11, 2008, 19:28:20
very good
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Daniel on Oct 11, 2008, 19:50:23
Fantastic Image, definitely going to have to haave a go at this myself, the bottom right bit looks like a skull! :cheesy:
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: RobertM on Oct 11, 2008, 21:48:29
John, point taken, it's a bit too red, I'll try and tone it down a bit.

Daniel, either a skull or a bigger Pacman - they certainly have intriguing shapes these nebulae !
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: JohnP on Oct 12, 2008, 11:07:15
I must admit I thought Pacman when I first saw it..... :-) Great shot though... very interesting.. John
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: MarkS on Oct 12, 2008, 16:44:35

Excellent image with an unusual subject.  The monochrome one is great  but the colour one has saturated some of the detail out.  It is well worth some re-processing.

Mark
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: RobertM on Oct 17, 2008, 21:34:52
Ok, I've reprocessed, hopefully getting some more balance with the luminance detail and getting rid of some of the internal reflections around the stars.   It's nowhere near perfect but I've tried this about six times now so have really done it to death.   Ha is luminance, Ha+R is Red + Green + Blue ( 5 hrs Ha + 35 mins each RGB).  I'm really enjoying these nebulae at the moment, I just love the detail.

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10031/normal_Sh2-171-Ha_HaR_G_B_doublesize.jpg)


Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Mac on Oct 17, 2008, 22:00:46
Love the detail,
cant wait to get mine up and running.
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Daniel on Oct 17, 2008, 22:19:49
Oooh, that's lovely, and you've retained the star colours really well
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: JohnP on Oct 18, 2008, 09:20:40
Robert - The reprocess is fanatastic - you've retained all the deail in the Ha & got excellent colour balance - the stars are great.

John
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: MarkS on Oct 18, 2008, 11:49:06
That looks really good Robert.  As everyone says, the detail is excellent.
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Oct 18, 2008, 14:59:23
again very good
Title: Re: Sh2-171 in Cepheus
Post by: Fay on Oct 18, 2008, 18:02:43
Lovely Robert, you did earn it with the five + hours!