Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#1

Post by Juno16 »


No matter what the process, this pair are truly some of the finest sights in the night sky.

I imaged these targets for the first time last year with my DSLR. This is my second try.

The data was collected over two evenings last week using my ASI 533 mc pro and L-Enhance filter.
Six hours of integration with 120 second exposures at a gain of 104.

The data looks decent, but I am sure that there is much more that can be revealed. I am stopping here for now until I gain more experience with Pixinsight.

I came up with two processes. The first is a 15 minute quick bash through Photoshop just to see what was a there. Actually, I like this process.
B946461D-D9A2-4E63-8193-6E015BE2039C.jpeg
The second is several hours working through some very basic processes in Pixinsight. I produced the base image in PI and added a few final tweaks in Photoshop.
B8306A4F-CFCC-46C5-871B-3D94CB33CB07.jpeg
I like this process too and I do like the way that the Pixinsight hdrmultiscaletransform process somewhat tamed Alnitak enabling a glimpse of its binary.

I appreciate any comments and thanks for looking!
Jim

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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#2

Post by bobharmony »


That is some very nice data, Jim, and a pair of fine processes. To me there are aspects of both that I like. In the first runthrough the reflection nebulae seem to come out better than the PI version. On the other hand the detail of the Flame and the vibrance of the Ha around the Horsehead is fabulous in the PI result. It is always difficult to make these processing choices, now if there was a way to mash them together!

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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#3

Post by messier 111 »


they are both extraordinary, I prefer the second I find the details more vivid, thx.
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#4

Post by Juno16 »


bobharmony wrote: Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:50 am That is some very nice data, Jim, and a pair of fine processes. To me there are aspects of both that I like. In the first runthrough the reflection nebulae seem to come out better than the PI version. On the other hand the detail of the Flame and the vibrance of the Ha around the Horsehead is fabulous in the PI result. It is always difficult to make these processing choices, now if there was a way to mash them together!

Bob

I have a lot to learn about both applications!

Once I get more proficient at using masks, I will be better able to process specific areas of an image more effectively.

Thank you very much for your nice comments Bob!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#5

Post by kt4hx »


Very nice Jim. Since I am not an imager and have no knowledge of the processes involved, I only look at them for the aesthetics that please me. I prefer the first image because of the enhancement to the reflection nebulae, as Bob mentions. Regarding the Flame, there is something about the first one that I prefer as well. It is kind of hard to describe other than to my eye it just seems more natural - if that makes any sense?
Alan

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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#6

Post by Graeme1858 »


They're both good Jim. The taming of Alnitak in the second one gives it an edge I'd say.

I'm looking forward to a clear night or two on these this winter.

Regards

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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Juno16 »


Thanks a bunch M111 @messier 111. Me too.

Thanks for your nice comments and opinion! It does make sense Alan @kt4hx . Processing deep sky is interesting because there are so many different directions to go and even more choices when you get there. That goes for multiple parts of an image. If you look up images of these targets on Google images, you know what I mean.
I’m just glad that I got somewhere with Pixinsight!

Me too Graeme @Graeme1858 . Alnitak can be tough (at least that is what I hear).
Looking forward to your image! They are both beautiful targets.
Thanks for your nice comment.

Jim
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Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Jockinireland »


Hi Jim,

Those are both fantastic and honestly I could not pick one over the other. Glad to see you are getting some clear sky at last, and really getting to grips with your 533.
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by MariusD69 »


Great images! Well done, Jim! I prefer image #1. In PI version, the background is a little too dark and some nebulosity are lost.
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Gordon »


Congratulations Jim on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!!

app.php/article/12-15-2020-tss-astropho ... of-the-day
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Mac »


Great image and congrats on the APOD
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#12

Post by Astrovetteman »


Hey Jim, both are great but I tend to go with #2 also. Congrats on the APOD, well deserved!
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#13

Post by Greenman »


Nice that you can divide options. I like aspects of both, but mostly your skill with a newly acquired camera. Congrats on the APOD Jim!
Cheers,

Tony.

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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by starfield »


Really nice capture, Jim. I guess if I had to pick one I'd go with the first one. I like the color on the flame a bit more. Congrats on the APOD
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Juno16 »


Gordon wrote: Tue Dec 15, 2020 5:44 pm Congratulations Jim on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!!

app.php/article/12-15-2020-tss-astropho ... of-the-day

Thanks a bunch Gordon! @Gordon . Always cool to have a new flair!

Thanks David @Jockinireland , Maruis @MariusD69 , Steve @Mac, Tom @Astrovetteman , and Tony @Greenman !

Seems like a split group as far as which image process is better which I really like. I will probably use both PS and PI together for awhile until I get more comfortable with Pixinsight (years!).

Thanks again all!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#16

Post by helicon »


Really nice Jim. I can't decide whether I like the first one better than the second, or the other way around. Both are excellent.
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

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Post by Jockinireland »


Yay!
Congrats on the APOD Jim. Well deserved.
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#18

Post by John Donne »


Wonderful, Jim!
Merry Christmas!
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#19

Post by Ruud »


Yeah, well done! Congrats on the APOD!
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Re: Horsehead and Flame Nebula - My Version

#20

Post by Ylem »


I am also not an imager, both are nice, I kinda prefer the first one, the blue stands out nicely.
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