TheSkySearchers

This version includes data from last year as well as this year. Being able to combine data over multiple seasons is a nice feature to continue to improve images. The increased Ha data significantly reduced the noise in the background, a nice plus. Interestingly the images from last year were mirror images of the images from this year. I used the same equipment both times! I have no idea what caused the reversal! I had to flip all of the images from this year to match the orientation of the images from last year before the StarAlignment process would combine all the images. Another one of life's mysteries!

IMAGE DETAILS:
WO Star71 telescope, CEM40 mount, Chroma 3 nm S/H/O filters, ASI1600MM camera, MMAG autoguider
47x600 sec Ha, 24x600 sec O3, 24x600 sec S2 Lights (Total exposure 15 hr 50 min)
Acquired with APT, Guide with PHD2, Processed with PixInsight


Thanks for looking. Comments welcomed.

Steve

the colors and details are exquisite . thx .

Magnificent image Steve!

I mentioned that the added Ha data reduced the background noise. The two pictures below illustrate the improvement.

NEW VERSION (Reduced Noise)
OLD VERSION (Significant Color Noise)
Hopefully the difference in noise is observable. If it isn't you right-click on each image and each time select

Open image in new tab from the drop-down list.

It will put each image into a tab at the top of your screen. You can then click back and forth between the two tabs to easily see the difference.

Steve

Beautiful shot, Steve. The extra data sure paid off. I imagine it would be tough to get 16 hours during a typical Santa Cruz summer. I can definitely see the difference in noise.

I'm looking to try shooting this one again in mono once it gets a little higher. Such a pretty target.

starfield wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 3:07 am Beautiful shot, Steve. The extra data sure paid off. I imagine it would be tough to get 16 hours during a typical Santa Cruz summer. I can definitely see the difference in noise.

I'm looking to try shooting this one again in mono once it gets a little higher. Such a pretty target.

Thanks. I believe this is the most time I've gotten on any target. It was very gratifying to see the reduction in noise.
My setup only allows for capturing data from about 30 degrees above the Eastern horizon up to the zenith. After that my mobile home or the driveway awning block the sky. So 4 hours in one night is about the best that can be done. Being a coastal town the fog is always a potential show stopper. The 16 hours was 12 hours from last year (4 Ha, 4 O3, and 4 S2) and 4 hours of Ha from this year. You may have similar fog problems in San Diego if you live close to the coast.

Good luck with getting your mono data. I agree that this is a really pretty target.

Steve

STEVE333 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 3:35 am
Thanks. I believe this is the most time I've gotten on any target. It was very gratifying to see the reduction in noise.
My setup only allows for capturing data from about 30 degrees above the Eastern horizon up to the zenith. After that my mobile home or the driveway awning block the sky. So 4 hours in one night is about the best that can be done. Being a coastal town the fog is always a potential show stopper. The 16 hours was 12 hours from last year (4 Ha, 4 O3, and 4 S2) and 4 hours of Ha from this year. You may have similar fog problems in San Diego if you live close to the coast.

Yep. Fog on the coast is always a challenge, even when it stays "out" it typically reforms after midnight when the temp hits the dew point. My imaging window is tight too, so 4 hours is typically a great run for me as well. Of course, in spite of the challenges at night I always remind myself I can be walking on the beach in 15 minutes

starfield wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:39 am

STEVE333 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 3:35 am
Thanks. I believe this is the most time I've gotten on any target. It was very gratifying to see the reduction in noise.
My setup only allows for capturing data from about 30 degrees above the Eastern horizon up to the zenith. After that my mobile home or the driveway awning block the sky. So 4 hours in one night is about the best that can be done. Being a coastal town the fog is always a potential show stopper. The 16 hours was 12 hours from last year (4 Ha, 4 O3, and 4 S2) and 4 hours of Ha from this year. You may have similar fog problems in San Diego if you live close to the coast.

Yep. Fog on the coast is always a challenge, even when it stays "out" it typically reforms after midnight when the temp hits the dew point. My imaging window is tight too, so 4 hours is typically a great run for me as well. Of course, in spite of the challenges at night I always remind myself I can be walking on the beach in 15 minutes

Yup! It only takes me about 5 minutes to drive over to East Cliff Dr. (which runs right along the coast) where I usually walk a couple of times each day. The round trip along the coast is 1.4 miles, so, with two round trips I usually get in about 3 miles a day when I count the distance from where I park to get to East Cliff. Can't really complain either! With so much to see (people walking, surfers, sailboats, bikinis, etc.), hear the waves crashing, cool breeze to feel, ocean mist to smell, those walks along the ocean always clear the mind. I look forward to both walks every day.

Steve

Another great shot. Ticking all the boxes, I keep geting impressed by your processing.
Thanks for sharing
Clear Skies
Kenneth

Beautiful Steve!

Steve, the improvement most certainly is noticeable, and your gratification is wholly justified. You've produced an absolutely first-class image with exquisite details and worthy of an APOD in any book.

Gmetric wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 2:10 pm Steve, the improvement most certainly is noticeable, and your gratification is wholly justified. You've produced an absolutely first-class image with exquisite details and worthy of an APOD in any book.

Ken_nneth wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 5:39 am Another great shot. Ticking all the boxes, I keep geting impressed by your processing.
Thanks for sharing
Clear Skies
Kenneth

Thanks Kenneth and Gmetric for the kind comments, much appreciated. I love this hobby and still get excited when new results turn out well, or, some new technique is learned.

Steve

Jeez Steve these look absolutely incredible! I would love to see an updated processing guide, if you have any tips or guides handy

Baskevo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:45 am Jeez Steve these look absolutely incredible! I would love to see an updated processing guide, if you have any tips or guides handy

Thanks for the nice comments James. I've actually been thinking about putting together a short video on my work flow. The workflow isn't that complicated and I've been happy with the results. I'll let you know if anything develops.

Steve

Steve, I hope you have the time to put together a video of your work flow. I think many of us would like to see how you get the results you do.
Clear Skies
Kenneth

STEVE333 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 4:38 pm

Baskevo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:45 am Jeez Steve these look absolutely incredible! I would love to see an updated processing guide, if you have any tips or guides handy

Thanks for the nice comments James. I've actually been thinking about putting together a short video on my work flow. The workflow isn't that complicated and I've been happy with the results. I'll let you know if anything develops.

Steve

That would awesome!!