Sh2-171 in Cepheus

[RobertM]

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



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

Ha + HaRGB



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

(Changed full-size img tags to url tags - Rick)

[Fay]

Robert, very nice, & a change of subject.

Fay

[JohnP]

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

[Rocket Pooch]

very good

[Daniel]

Fantastic Image, definitely going to have to haave a go at this myself, the bottom right bit looks like a skull!

[RobertM]

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 !

[JohnP]

I must admit I thought Pacman when I first saw it..... Great shot though... very interesting.. John

[MarkS]

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

[RobertM]

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.

[Mac]

Love the detail,
cant wait to get mine up and running.

[Daniel]

Oooh, that's lovely, and you've retained the star colours really well

[JohnP]

Robert - The reprocess is fanatastic - you've retained all the deail in the Ha & got excellent colour balance - the stars are great.

John

[MarkS]

That looks really good Robert.  As everyone says, the detail is excellent.

[Rocket Pooch]

again very good

[Fay]

Lovely Robert, you did earn it with the five + hours!