nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

For the last several nights I have been imaging IC2177 - the Seagull Nebula. There is a total of 180 narrow band exposures each 5 minutes long plus 120 exposures (LRGB) each 30 seconds (for the stars). They were taken with a mono ASI1600MM-C camera using LRGB filters for the stars and Ha, OIII, and SII for the nebula. The images were combined, stacked, and registered using both PixInsight and Photoshop CC. Overall the image is ok...the skies were clear but the seeing was rated as poor and I guess this was the reason I was unable to get a lot of nebulosity that is in the wings. I thought about continuing getting more data for this image - as in adding 20, 10 minute exposure for each NB emission but for now I am ready to move on to another target. Going after the Cone Nebula now! I am tickled to be able to image targets that were never available at our former home.

Heretofore I have been using this combination of LRGB and NB exposure times on anything that is a 10 mag or brighter. It had been working really well until I imaged the Seagull. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

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SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Beautiful, Ed!

Sounds like a lot of work.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Very nice, I like the color. I assume it takes some practice to get the stars right. Are you liking the NB, seemed before you were a little discouraged? I final got my filters, but no chance to play around yet.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Thanks SonnyE - ...and Eruopa I am still fussing with NB as the learning curve (processing) is a touch more temperamental than LRGB ....and when compared to using a DSLR or any OSC, a time consuming method for getting an "up" picture. Honestly, I am knee deep in using NB imaging because I know intellectually, that the results are going to have more "signal to noise"....but as I look back on some of my DSLR images - crap I have some decent ones and ones taken when I first started that I think are every bit as good as any I am taking now. The attached pic has been my all time best, IMHO and thanks to my Nikon modded DSLR D800e and Nikon 200x400 lens for that one.

My friend, Ken Toney - owns a seafood restaurant in Spartanburg - he and I have been taking pics (mostly landscapes) over the years and he hangs some of his prints in his restaurant and sells them. When he saw my Andromeda pic - he suggested I print out a limited edition and hang at his restaurant. Over the years I have sold other landscapes pics at his restaurant. I sold all 300 Andromeda pictures over a 3 month period for 60 each.....11/14 on metallic paper - BTW, that is the paper you need to use for sky pics.

Also, that pic got Ken interested in "up imaging" ....this past fall he bought a mount and scope - he is recovering from back surgery but will be "up at night" like the rest of us soon.

BUT --- BUT this is the big difference - you can image anytime there are clear skies - anywhere. The skies can be light polluted and it makes little difference - and the contrast (colors) that you can get are unique to NB when imaging nebula. Galaxies are a different animal. I would prefer a DSLR or OSC anytime over LRGB mono cameras for Galaxies.

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bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Only one word... WOW!!

bwa

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

I don't know when you find the time to image and process all of these shots.
Very nicely done none the less.
Jim

karno Loc: Chico ,California

Wonderful!