C/2019 Y4 Atlas

[ic_1101]

This is my first try at imaging and processing a comet. Not as easy as I thought. I'm pretty happy with the comet itself but the background is a mess. I used the comet option in DSS and it just didn't go as advertised.
This was taken April 5 (best seeing I had in ages) with the Mallincam VRC8 and a .72x reducer at 1170mm and the asi294mc pro.
180 x 60 sec lights, 40 flats, 40 darks, 100 bias. Processed in DSS and PI.
C&C welcomed. Thx for looking.

[BABOafrica]

I'd be happy with that even if were the tenth time I had done a comet.

BABO

[Graeme1858]

That's pretty good. Nice shape coma.

Did you use the second comet stacking option?

Regards

Graeme

[Juno16]

Hi Alex,

The comet turned out very well!

Great image!

[TheButcher]

Nice image of the comet Alex! As far as the backround and how DSS says it will be sharp along with the comet was disappointing to me as well. What option did you choose as Graeme mentioned?

For me I tried the 3rd option hoping it would be a clear backround and it was not. So I used the first two options and cleaned the Isolated comet backround up in Photoshop using mostly Dust and Scratches. Here is a tutorial I made. It doesn't have sound in it, I have not got around to that but maybe it will help you with the backround if you use Photoshop. https://astronebula.com/how-to-stack-co ... e-part-1/

[Bigzmey]

Nice capture, well done!

[ic_1101]

That's pretty good. Nice shape coma.

Did you use the second comet stacking option?

Regards

Graeme

Thx Graeme, yes I used the second option for the comet, it was brutal having to select it in 180 images. Turned out that the selection on the comet doesn't have to be that accurate as long as the head is in the circle.
Used the first option for the stars.

[ic_1101]

Nice image of the comet Alex! As far as the backround and how DSS says it will be sharp along with the comet was disappointing to me as well. What option did you choose as Graeme mentioned?

For me I tried the 3rd option hoping it would be a clear backround and it was not. So I used the first two options and cleaned the Isolated comet backround up in Photoshop using mostly Dust and Scratches. Here is a tutorial I made. It doesn't have sound in it, I have not got around to that but maybe it will help you with the backround if you use Photoshop. https://astronebula.com/how-to-stack-co ... e-part-1/

I used the second option for the comet and was happy with the result but using the first option for the stars was disappointing. Ended up with streaking where the comet passed. I ended up just grabbing a star mask for the background.
Thx for your Photoshop link, i'm going to give it a try.

[TheButcher]

Hi Alex,

I just made a quick demonstration on my method of getting rid of the smear made by the comet when using option 1 with the stars. Now using option 1 with the stars and isolating the comet in option 2 and getting rid of the star trails, You then stack the Isolated comet layer over the Star backround. Just select it to screen mode for the layer. It also covers some of the smear up if you don't get rid of it completely. Also you will see in the quick video link below after you somewhat get rid of the smear, you can Close Stamp a few stars to cover it even more. Plus it is natural, because the smear from the comet erased those stars anyway.

https://youtu.be/F4D-qi-jH7E

[ic_1101]

Nice detailed video...thx!