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M81 - M82 & IFN
Mar 20, 2022 06:22:17 #
Saturday Night / Sunday morning again clear skies above EG.
As mentioned yesterday we entering Galaxy season of which don't necessarily required lengthy exposures.
The constellation of which hosts M81 & M82 (Ursa Major) is also known to contain vast amounts of Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN).
But, the bright moon may pose a problem capturing IFN, thus I shot two exposure sets.
1. Using the UV/IV filter
2. Using the LPro Max filter
Techy Bits......
Altair 102mm ED
Altair 0.1x flattener
Altair Astro filter holder
UV/IV filter (25 frames)
L Pro Max filter (100 frames)
Altair Astro 269c pro tec
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro
Sharpcap for PA
APT for focus, plate solve & imagining
Lights 125 120s 285g HGC 25os s
Darks 5 120s
Flats & Flat Darks x 30
Stacked, registered, intergrated in APP
Post Processed in PS CC2015 utilizing SMI method
As mentioned yesterday we entering Galaxy season of which don't necessarily required lengthy exposures.
The constellation of which hosts M81 & M82 (Ursa Major) is also known to contain vast amounts of Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN).
But, the bright moon may pose a problem capturing IFN, thus I shot two exposure sets.
1. Using the UV/IV filter
2. Using the LPro Max filter
Techy Bits......
Altair 102mm ED
Altair 0.1x flattener
Altair Astro filter holder
UV/IV filter (25 frames)
L Pro Max filter (100 frames)
Altair Astro 269c pro tec
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro
Sharpcap for PA
APT for focus, plate solve & imagining
Lights 125 120s 285g HGC 25os s
Darks 5 120s
Flats & Flat Darks x 30
Stacked, registered, intergrated in APP
Post Processed in PS CC2015 utilizing SMI method
Mar 20, 2022 07:15:54 #
Mar 20, 2022 07:19:28 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I've done astro with my scope. Did the solar eclipse 2017, shot 1500 images. I know how tough process is. Excellent work
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Mar 20, 2022 07:27:03 #
rv8striker wrote:
What an incredible image. Thank you for sharing.
your welcome & Thank you
Mar 20, 2022 07:33:19 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
I've done astro with my scope. Did the solar eclipse 2017, shot 1500 images. I know how tough process is. Excellent work
Processing is always a challenge mate, but once you get into a routine it does get easier.
Writing down your workflow is key.
Learn from mistakes etc.
Screen Mask Invert (SMI) was a large learning curve for me as well as using masks.
Star masking is paramount for preserving star size, halo's etc
Creating masks is a big step to begin with but well worth the time
many thanks for viewing
Mar 20, 2022 07:56:18 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I notice your tracking is spot on. Stars are nice and round to the edge. True test
Mar 20, 2022 08:14:18 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
I notice your tracking is spot on. Stars are nice and round to the edge. True test
I PA using Sharp Cap (two runs normally)
I have also spent hours tuning my HEQ5 pro, belt driven, new bearings & lithium grease.
The tuning dropped my guiding from 0.8 to 0.4 rms
Tickering with PHD2 settings is must for all mounts (again I write down all my tweeks for reference)
Mar 20, 2022 08:20:12 #
Your attention to detail has certainly paid off. I've always liked th colors of the stars.
Mar 20, 2022 08:26:08 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
Got to write down steps for sure.
My buddy did all 110 messier over a few year period. Waited for each to reach meridian and shoot away. Big project.
My buddy did all 110 messier over a few year period. Waited for each to reach meridian and shoot away. Big project.
Mar 20, 2022 08:33:10 #
alberio wrote:
Your attention to detail has certainly paid off. I've always liked th colors of the stars.
Thanks mate, clear skies are getting rare thus I want everything as perfect as possible when setting up, PA, guiding etc.
Star colours can be made better using masks / colour correction / saturation etc.
When it comes to processing I am fortunate as I have using photoshop for many many years during normal photography days so I am familiar with masks, adjustment layers etc.
But like us all I still watch youtube videos
Mar 20, 2022 08:46:40 #
Marc G wrote:
Thanks mate, clear skies are getting rare thus I want everything as perfect as possible when setting up, PA, guiding etc.
Star colours can be made better using masks / colour correction / saturation etc.
When it comes to processing I am fortunate as I have using photoshop for many many years during normal photography days so I am familiar with masks, adjustment layers etc.
But like us all I still watch youtube videos
Star colours can be made better using masks / colour correction / saturation etc.
When it comes to processing I am fortunate as I have using photoshop for many many years during normal photography days so I am familiar with masks, adjustment layers etc.
But like us all I still watch youtube videos
Creating masks and layers and including darks and flats and PA and guiding have all been my biggest issues to getting these results.
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Mar 20, 2022 09:46:48 #
alberio wrote:
Creating masks and layers and including darks and flats and PA and guiding have all been my biggest issues to getting these results.
All baby steps mate.
I would personally start with PA, balance & getting your guiding nicely calibrated as close to meridian as possible.
Darks & dark flats are simple.
Flats can take some mastering.
I use a lcd flat panel.
Masks for sharpening, blending etc are pretty easy.
Star masks take careful preparation.
My typical routine is select stars via highlight selection tool, expand x2, feather x1, copy to mask, invert, select layer & small stretch.
And repeat, repeat, repeat & repeat.
Small stretchs, lots of always produce better results for me
Mar 21, 2022 12:49:02 #
Mar 22, 2022 03:45:39 #
tony85629 wrote:
Excellent! Very well processed.
Thanks Tony
Mar 23, 2022 14:35:02 #
Ballard
Loc: Grass Valley, California
Marc G wrote:
Saturday Night / Sunday morning again clear skies ... (show quote)
Outstanding image. Along with the IFN you caught a number of the smaller and more distance galaxies. Really nice work.
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