Camera Labs

Hi folks,

This is a first attempt at processing some subs captured last week of the Heart Nebula (clickable for a full sized 4096 x 4096 pixel version):

The Heart Nebula - IC1805

For the technically minded this was produced from 8 x 1500 second Hα subs and 5 x 200 second subs in each of red, green and blue, all taken through my TEC 140 'scope with an ML16803 camera.

This image is causing me grief. When I process the Hα data there is a lot of detail at widely different intensity levels and trying to blend the various intermediate images to produce a pleasing result which conveys as much detail as possible is proving difficult.

Sometimes stars just get in the way...

Bob.

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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.

I sincerely don't understand much about astrophotography, but I really liked your pictures Bob, good job!

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Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Visit me and leave me a comment in My Flickr

As much as I love the first one, the one without the stars is equally as impressive! I like the unique approach.

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Flickr

Hi folks,

It pains me to look back on my efforts of only about six months ago as shown above. Here's a reworking, using exactly the same original data, but now with full-fat star colour and my preferred homegrown recipe for dealing with the hydrogen-alpha emission:

The Heart Nebula - IC1805

I've also taken the opportunity to orient the image "north up" this time around. A 2048x2048 pixel version is available here. Processing followed almost exactly the same recipe I used with my "Astronomy Picture of the Day" Soul Nebula image so I was able to replace the nebulosity and star image components in the "Soul Nebula" Photoshop stack and perform only the most minor tweaks, a great time saver and something that finally allows me to say I've found my "house-style".

Update: If you are using the Firefox browser then try right-clicking on the image and selecting "View Image", the first option. That gets rid of the astro-unfriendly light background of the forum. When you are done then click the "Back" button to get back to the forum. If you are using IE then shame on you.

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.