Lion Nebula Sh-2-132 reprocessing

[carastro]

Hi Guys,

Not been around much lately as not done much imaging since the beginning of April. First I went down with Covid, but mainly because it was galaxy season (apart from in the South where I can't see from home because of trees) and also because I live in Bortle 8 and the few remaining NB targets I haven't done were behind the houses aty this time of year.

So have spent some time trying to improve previous images. An astro chum introduced me to Images Plus as Photoshop doesn;t have a satisfactory way of star reduction, and I must confess I am pretty impressed with it. I will still use Photoshop for the majority of processing though (I don;t and will not use Pixinsight after seeing several demonstrations it is not for me).

Was never really happy with this image that I took in 2018 in HOO.

Have done several reprocesses but was still not happy with it. Then recently an astro chum introduced me to Images Plus which certainly seem better than Photoshop in star reduction, and so I have had one final "go" at this image. (I don't use Pixinsight and have no intention of doing so).

These are the original specs:

Taken over two nights at an Astro camp in East Sussex

Dual Rig used but the FOV was a lot smaller so at this stage not added

William Optics ZS71 & Atik460EX - Baader filter HOO HEQ5

Ha 2 x 900 secs + 14 x 600 secs (2h 50 mins) Oiii 1 x 600 secs (2h 30 mins)

Grand Total 5h 20m

This is one of the earlier processes (The original has long since disappeared)



This is my latest result using images Plus to "tart up" the original processing, still not brilliant but I am happier with this than previous attempts.

I still would like to image this target again but this time in SHO but won;t be getting to dark skies again until the Autumn.

[messier 111]

nice redoo, thx .

[carastro]

Found to reprocess had rather oversmoothed the dark nebulae, so here is a further reprocess.

[Johnny Carter]

Stunning image, very well done.

[STEVE333]

Nice repro Carole. Reducing the stars helps make the nebula stand out better.

Steve

[KathyNS]

I especially like the third image. Beautiful!

[STEVE333]

Hi Carole - I just noticed that you only had 5 hr 20 min total exposure for this tough target. Very nice data and image for the relatively short total exposure. Thank goodness for dark sites!

Steve

[carastro]

I just noticed that you only had 5 hr 20 min total exposure for this tough target. Very nice data and image for the relatively short total exposure. Thank goodness for dark sites!

Hi Steve, yes, I keep meaning to go back to this and add to it, but not had a chance yet to be at a dark site when it is in a good enough position.

Carole

[STEVE333]

I just noticed that you only had 5 hr 20 min total exposure for this tough target. Very nice data and image for the relatively short total exposure. Thank goodness for dark sites!

Hi Steve, yes, I keep meaning to go back to this and add to it, but not had a chance yet to be at a dark site when it is in a good enough position.

Carole

Who ever talked us into getting into this hobby? Late nights, unexpected clouds and/or fog, technical issues.... I guess overcoming all of those obstacles is what makes finally creating one of our wonderful images so satisfying!!!

Good luck with your weather!

Cheers