Cave Nebula - SHO

[STEVE333]

This is a reprocess of data taken last year. I have learned much about NB processing since I first posted this image. The original was over sharpened with excess noise and the bright stars had unsightly halos around them. The reprocessed version is much softer with reduced noise and the unsightly star halos have been greatly reduced or eliminated. This new result is much more pleasing to my eyes. Hope you enjoy it.

IMAGE DETAILS
WO Star71 telescope, ASI1600MM camera, Chroma 3nm SHO filters, iOptron CEM40 mount
22 x 600 sec Sii, 24 x 600 sec Ha, 24 x 600 sec Oiii Lights (Total Exposure 11 hr 40 min)
24 x 600 sec Darks, 30 Flats, 30 Dark Flats
Acquired with APT, Guided with PHD2, Processed with PixInsight


REPROCESS

ORIGINAL

Steve

[messier 111]

wow , really fine work , thx .
as my vote for apod .

[KathyNS]

The effort paid off, Steve. That is beautiful! I second the APOD nomination.

[Ylem]

Beautiful Steve!

Got my vote also

[John Donne]

Definitely paid off !
Bravo...

[Ken_nneth]

Looks really good, your processing is great.
Thanks for sharing
Clear Skies
Kenneth

[Juno16]

Excellent reprocess Steve!

The star halo's have been very nicely reduced!!!

I remember that there was some discussion on the forum about reducing the halos. You don't need to get into details if it was discussed before, but would you mind sharing what process(es) you used in PI to remedy the halo's?

I have an issue with the optical train in my new Sharpstar 61 where the blue stars have significent halo's when imaging in broadband. Not sure if it the scope's optics or the Sharpstar FF/FR, but when I use the L-eNhance, the stars are great. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Nice work!

[BigKahuna]

Beautiful Image, Steve!

[STEVE333]

Excellent reprocess Steve!

The star halo's have been very nicely reduced!!!

I remember that there was some discussion on the forum about reducing the halos. You don't need to get into details if it was discussed before, but would you mind sharing what process(es) you used in PI to remedy the halo's?

I have an issue with the optical train in my new Sharpstar 61 where the blue stars have significent halo's when imaging in broadband. Not sure if it the scope's optics or the Sharpstar FF/FR, but when I use the L-eNhance, the stars are great. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Nice work!

Hi Jim - Thanks. I am very pleased at how well the halos have been reduced.

I'm afraid my halo reducing technique won't help for the normal "star halos" problems. My halos are caused by the fact that the Oiii and Sii images have been stretched much more than the Ha image (because they have weaker emissions). This causes the Oiii and Sii stars to be bloated relative to the Ha stars, so, when the three images are combined, the stars have halos! I use EZ Star Reduction on the Oiii and Sii images to reduce the stars prior to combining the three images. This significantly reduces the halo problem.

You may be able to look at your R/G/B images individually to see if one of them has the bloated stars. If that is the case you could use a star reduction technique to better match the star sizes. Just a thought.

Cheers - Steve

[Juno16]

Hi Jim - Thanks. I am very pleased at how well the halos have been reduced.

I'm afraid my halo reducing technique won't help for the normal "star halos" problems. My halos are caused by the fact that the Oiii and Sii images have been stretched much more than the Ha image (because they have weaker emissions). This causes the Oiii and Sii stars to be bloated relative to the Ha stars, so, when the three images are combined, the stars have halos! I use EZ Star Reduction on the Oiii and Sii images to reduce the stars prior to combining the three images. This significantly reduces the halo problem.

You may be able to look at your R/G/B images individually to see if one of them has the bloated stars. If that is the case you could use a star reduction technique to better match the star sizes. Just a thought.

Cheers - Steve

I understand. Much different situation.

Good idea though. I will try to split the image into its R,G,and B channels after running EZ Soft Stretch. Then run EZ Star Reduction on each channel.

Thanks a bunch Steve!

[STEVE333]

I understand. Much different situation.

Good idea though. I will try to split the image into its R,G,and B channels after running EZ Soft Stretch. Then run EZ Star Reduction on each channel.

Thanks a bunch Steve!

You're welcome Jim.

I would suggest only doing the EZ Star Reduction on the channel that has bloated stars. However, maybe your idea of doing it on all channels would work as well?

Steve

[MariusD69]

Looks amazing! Very well done, Steve!

[Makuser]

Hi Steve. Wow, I really like the reprocessed Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) in SHO light. Much more contrast and color details in this new version. Thanks for sharing this rework with us Steve, and add another vote for the APOD Award.

[Gmetric]

Steve, that is an excellent repro showing that your skills with narrowband imaging have really improved. Very nicely done!

[STEVE333]

Thanks all for the nice comments. They are much appreciated!

I love this hobby and appreciate how so many have shared their processing techniques with all of us. My current processing work flow is a blend of techniques I've learned from forum members, from books and from YouTube tutorials.

Cheers,

Steve

[STEVE333]

I just ordered a metal print of this picture. The size will be 20" x 30" and comes ready to hang on the wall. The cost (including tax and a 20% discount) was $110. Bay Photo is the company who does the printing on aluminum. The colors are just like a glossy photo! I highly recommend this company because their quality is top notch every time! Can't wait to pick it up.

Steve

[TheButcher]

Excellent Steve!!!

[Gmetric]

I just ordered a metal print of this picture. The size will be 20" x 30" and comes ready to hang on the wall. The cost (including tax and a 20% discount) was $110. Bay Photo is the company who does the printing on aluminum. The colors are just like a glossy photo! I highly recommend this company because their quality is top notch every time! Can't wait to pick it up.

Steve

Well, the image is a wall hanger for sure You'll have to post a picture of the metal print. I've had to make some adjustments to a couple of images that I've printed before as they print differently from how they look on my laptop screen. Have you had to make any adjustments for metal printing?

[STEVE333]

Hi "G" - With my previous laptop (HP) what I saw on the laptop was pretty much what I got back on the print. I provided them a jpg version which I saved from PixInsight.

I have a new Dell Inspiron and I'm following the same procedure. . I'm hoping the new metal print will be just what I see on the laptop. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Who did you use to print your pictures?

Steve

[jthommes]

Quite an improvement Steve. Well done on the reprocess.