Andromeda

[madperk]

Here is my latest andromeda shot. I was pretty pleased with the results. it was shot on 9-11 under an almost full moon in a Bortle 5-6 location without an LP filter. Under darker skies, I think the colors would have been better. I took 120 1 minute subs and had to throw out 57 of them. I have started using the Orion SkyGuider Pro instead of my old CGEM. The CGEM is much more stable but you can't beat the 5 minute setup time on the SkyGuider. Even with all of the calibration frames, I am getting a little more vignetting than I like so I used a square crop.

6dM2 and Es-ED80 with FF/FR. Processed With Astro Pixel Processor. Finishing touches in Photoshop.

[fatboy1271]

Looks great! I can see the vignetting but it's still a nice image

[Ozypic]

Its a great image , looks like nice steady tracking. Thanks for sharing it . Phill

[Baskevo]

Great image! Thanks for sharing!

[madperk]

Thanks to the steve333 post, I found a new step in my processes. I used the StarNet star subtractor to enhance and adjust the background layers' color and details. I should have used this earlier in my processing workflow. I plan on reprocessing the image, using the tool in an earlier step, and expect more favorable results.

The first image is the extraction layer. I removed the background gradient and processed it for color. I then applied it as a color layer to the original image in this post. I adjust the core to favor red, the outer rings to blue, deepened the dark dust lanes and punched the sharpen up.

The second layer is the modified image. The jpg exports don't do it justice. I ran a test print, the minor adjustments to red and blue are nice. It did end up a little on the dark side, but I plan on making that adjustment on the next process.

If you are not using PI or using PI and want to try something new check out the Steve333 post.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1204&p=26324#p26324

[BABOafrica]

I like the first one best. The star foreground is more subtle and allows the galaxy to stand out.

BABO