Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: The Thing on Dec 29, 2017, 17:58:08

Title: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: The Thing on Dec 29, 2017, 17:58:08
Wooeee! Even if I say so myself. 162x120s @iso800. Beta 2.9 of GIMP handles 32bit TIF straight from PixInsight and convert to JPG without any effort. Thoroughly recommended. The linked image is full size.

Processing: Batch Pre-Processing with lower sigma settings for Lights stacking, Photometric Colour Calibration, Dynamic Background Extraction, Asinh Stretch, Local Histogram Equalisation, Asinh again, Multiscale Median Transform, and in Gimp Non-linear transform (a sort of noise reduction). 

Image date, time and location:   2017-12-12 23:00 Manche, France
Telescope aperture and focal ratio:   TS1506UNC f4 Newtonian, TS Komakorr corrector
Camera and filters used:   Canon 1100d defiltered, Astronomik UV-IR filter
Processing applied:   Pixinsight, GIMP


(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10050/normal_HorseheadFlame_2017-12-17_162x120_iso800_BPP_DBE_Asinh_LHN_Asinh_MMT_GimpNLnr_Full.jpg) (http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10050/HorseheadFlame_2017-12-17_162x120_iso800_BPP_DBE_Asinh_LHN_Asinh_MMT_GimpNLnr_Full.jpg)
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: MarkH on Dec 29, 2017, 18:33:31
Wow that's even better Duncan, you'll be rivalling Hubble soon.😀
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: MarkS on Dec 30, 2017, 09:28:20
Looking really good now!

Without reading the description I could already tell that some kind of Multiscale processing had been applied.  There is a distinct undulating, wavy look about the dust which is difficult to describe.  It needs to be applied in a more subtle way.

I think a result somewhere between version 1 and version 2 would work really well.  You have really good quality data there.  It gives you a great opportunity to experiment with various processing techniques.

Mark
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: Carole on Dec 30, 2017, 11:25:39
Amazing what you can do with good processing skills and good data.  I am inclined to agree with Mark that something in between this and your first process would be my preference.

Carole
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: NoelC on Dec 30, 2017, 11:30:57
Just amazing Duncan.
Title: *V2* Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: The Thing on Dec 30, 2017, 14:52:27
Last version I swear. Less Multiscale Median Transform in PI, then sharpening, noise reduction and curves with a bit of extra saturation applied in Gimp.

I have looked at other deep images of this subject on the web and this one looks good to me as far as dust and gas goes. There are a few artefacts e.g. ghost spikes, diverging spikes and so on, I think I need to tweak the scope a bit to sort them out. It's a bit annoying that the spider vanes don't line up with the RA/DEC oriented camera i.e. not square to the focuser. New XWO ASI294MC Pro camera will arrive Wednesday (explains the weather) and I'll use that with the spikes oriented nicely. Also I have a thin OAG coming which will remove flexure and improve star shape overall. Shame I can't get a sky clearing attachment to go with it!

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10050/normal_HorseheadFlame_2017-12-17_162x120_iso800_BPP_DBE_Asinh_LHN_Asinh_MMTless_Gimp_UM_NR_Curves_Full.jpg) (http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10050/HorseheadFlame_2017-12-17_162x120_iso800_BPP_DBE_Asinh_LHN_Asinh_MMTless_Gimp_UM_NR_Curves_Full.jpg)
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: Carole on Dec 30, 2017, 16:08:20
QuoteIt's a bit annoying that the spider vanes don't line up with the RA/DEC oriented camera i.e. not square to the focuser.

I prefer them at a slight angle, I think square on will look a bit boring.

Carole
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: NoelC on Dec 31, 2017, 10:07:51
Lovely image Duncan
Really fascinating detail.
You are the Gimp Miester.
Can't wait to see what you do with the 294!
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: Carole on Dec 31, 2017, 12:55:54
You've certainly made a lot of progress this year, I think the faster scope has made a lot of difference.

Carole 
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: Fay on Jan 01, 2018, 10:18:56
Well done Duncan, glad you are pleased with your results, makes it worth the effort|!!

Fay
Title: Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebulae in Orion 17 Nov and 12 Dec 2017
Post by: The Thing on Jan 01, 2018, 12:54:56
Thank you for your kind comments everybody. Happy New Year!