Camera Labs

Hi folks,

Here's an updated two frame mosaic of the main part of the constellation of Orion.

Clickable for an uncompressed 1024 pixel wide version.
The original is 4096 x 6596 pixels and is available here (Link updated to version 7). (4MB).

My first attempt at combining RGB nebulosity with H-alpha, a process I found more than difficult and needs more practice I fear! Pretty much all of the deep red (Barnard's Loop etc.) is derived solely from the H-alpha data. PixInsight made combining the various RGB exposures to cover the high dynamic range of M42 relatively straightforward. PixInsight was used right up to production of the separate mosaics in both H-alpha and RGB and then PhotoShop was used to get rid of the H-alpha stars and add in RGB stars and the brighter nebulosity to allow some colour into the Sword and Flame nebulae. I really struggled with star bloat for the brighter stars as well as combining the H-alpha and RGB nebulosity data, yet more proof that I am near the bottom of the learning curve still.

Helpful tips on what I might do to improve the image are always welcome.

Bob.

3 x 1000 second exposures in H-alpha for each frame
3 x 200 second exposures in each of R, G and B for both frames
3 x 40 second exposures in each of R, G and B for the bottom frame
3 x 5 second exposures in each of R, G and B for the bottom frame
Pentax 165mm f/2.8 lens plus FLI ML16803 camera

Update: Image now v6 and a link to the full resolution image added.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi folks,

For the horizontally inclined you can find a 1920x1200 pixel version here.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi folks,

I risk talking to myself in this thread but I thought I'd add an annotated image so that those that wish can follow up on some of the features as desired.

You can click the image to see a larger un-annotated version.

The elephant in the room is the whole mass of nebulosity which is known as the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex but drilling down here are more links:

• IC 434 (a.k.a. the Horsehead Nebula)
• M42 (a.k.a. the Orion Nebula)
• M43
• M78
• NGC 1973/1975/1977 (a.k.a. the Running Man Nebula)
• NGC 2024 (a.k.a. the Flame Nebula)
• van den Bergh 62 - 63, and LDN1622
• Barnard's Loop
• Alnilam
• Alnitak
• Bellatrix (not Lestrange!)
• Betelgeuse
• Mintaka
• Rigel
• Saiph

In addition to being one of the most recognisable constellations in the sky Orion is host to some remarkable objects and lots to photograph at all scales...

Orion is still visible in the evening sky (as I write) although the Moon is beginning to spoil the party once more so if you get a chance get out and have a gander and wonder at the beauty that lies just out of sight. Happy hunting! Oh dear, terrible pun but I couldn't resist it (Orion is The Hunter in mythology).

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Stop showing me that! Although I had a go at wide field previously I want to zoom in on the variety of details once I get my kit up to speed.

On that note, a quick check of the forecast for the week ahead suggests we might get some clear skies around mid week. I can't check exactly where the moon will be right now.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

. At about 8:30 tonight the (nearly half) Moon will be in the SW. If we do get a clear night or two over the next couple of weeks I'll be more likely to be eye-balling through the TEC 140 which arrived a few days ago. Photography with it won't be possible for a couple of weeks as it turned out that I do need a new adaptor which is currently on order from Precise Parts in Florida. Once I have it I can retrain the mounting using the camera to get the best possible polar alignment and tracking but by then I fear all those wonderful targets in Orion will have passed me by for another year due to my limited visibility in that direction.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

It's looking clear tonight so far so I'm warming up, erm, cooling down ready for a try later hopefully. Will give an Orion wide field another go in narrowband, especially with the OIII a its now been confirmed I got the wrong type which doesn't block the IR my main camera is sensitive to. So that'll be sent off to be replaced soon.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi folks,

As promised the full resolution image (4096 x 6596 pixels and 4.8MB) is now available here (Link updated to version 7).

I had to reprocess (now at v6) as some of the brighter stars needed cleaning up and "de-bloating" and the Hα nebulosity needed much more intensive noise reduction. Another day in front of PhotoShop but it's cold outside so hey, why not?

It ain't particularly pretty in the corners and you can see all the less than desirable artefacts but I'm not so proud that I'm not prepared to share. Just accept that this sort of extreme pixel peeping isn't for the faint of heart!

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Excellent work Bob!

.
Thanks Gordon. That means a lot to me.

I can't resist playing and I've changed the curve I used to colourise the Hα. The red excess now goes all the way down towards the black levels which gives a more pleasing result (to my eye) but, if PhotoShop's gamut warning is to be believed with Loxley Colour's print profile selected, the result may be far less pleasing if printed. I also took the opportunity to do a little more selective noise reduction of the nebulosity near Betelgeuse and I finally got around to selectively masking the curve I used to reduce the intensity of the nebulosity in preparation for adding in the RGB nebulosity of the Orion nebula and the Flame/Horsehead nebula. By reducing the effect of the above mentioned curve I've been able to give the Flame and Horsehead nebulae a little more punch. I also added a warming filter to the stars - a small effect but worthwhile, I think. This sort of selective tarting about is getting perilously close to fiction rather than fact but I console myself with the thought that the human eye could never see this sort of combination of Hα and RGB imagery in the first place.

Here's the result. How does it look in comparison to the earlier version at the top of the thread?

Click me for a 1024 pixel wide version

The full resolution links given previously have been updated and I've also uploaded a 1920x1200 pixel version here.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob
I’m far from a connoisseur in this field but the image is splendid. I’ve never seen Orion like this.
I must confess that I understand more quantum mechanics (this means I don’t really LOL) than your explanations, but I hope that sometime in the future I will. I’m working on that.

_________________
Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net