California Nebula and Sh2-240

[twade]

To all,

All images were taken with the FLI ProLine 16803 through an Astrodon H-alpha filter.

The California Nebula is a composite of four 30-minute exposures taken through a Pentax 67 300mm lens at F/4.0.

2400x2400:
   http://tinyurl.com/2vnrux

1600x1600:
   http://tinyurl.com/3aef25

Sh2-240 or Simeis 147 is a composite of three 30-minute exposures taken with the same lens mentioned above.  I planned four images, but the last image wigged out and was unuseable.

2400x2400:
   http://tinyurl.com/2lt7sq

1600x1600:
   http://tinyurl.com/2v5k3k

I'm hoping I'll get a few more clear skies this Fall to add more data to each.  Most of the processing was done in PixInsight Standard (i.e. exponential stretching and noise reduction).

Wade

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Wade,

You are terrific with that CCD camera. Both images show extremely dim objects, even some that I haven't seen before. Simeis 147 definitely asks for more signal, though.

The resolution and dynamics that you are achieving are awesome. I recommend you to perform the entire processing in a 32-bit format.

Are you thinking on adding color soon? Anyway, I don't see a real need to do so, from an aesthetic point of view. These Ha images are outstanding as they are, and I think you have a vast path to explore with your current hardware.

A points that you have to work on is applying some detail improvement. In particular, the Simeis 147 image is a perfect candidate for deconvolution and/or wavelets processing. Not an easy target, indeed, but it needs improvement at small and medium scales, in my opinion.

Congratulations on two fantastic images.

[GABRI 9555]

hi Thomas,
good job , congratulations on two beautiful images.

gabri

[twade]

Juan and Gabri,

Thanks!

You are terrific with that CCD camera. Both images show extremely dim objects, even some that I haven't seen before.

I'm still in the learning process so things can only get better.     It definitely helps to have an extremely dark sky too.

Simeis 147 definitely asks for more signal, though.

It's too bad the fourth shot was unuseable.  I definitely plan on imaging this thing for at least six hours.  I just hope Mother Nature cooperates.  She usually doesn't this time of year.  :cry:

The resolution and dynamics that you are achieving are awesome. I recommend you to perform the entire processing in a 32-bit format.

As you can see, I'm doing more and more processing in PixInsight Standard so I will definitely be exploring the 32-bit format realm in the near future.

Are you thinking on adding color soon?

I'll probably do a little color next year; however, I'm having so much fun with H-alpha, it's going to be hard to drive me away from it.  

A points that you have to work on is applying some detail improvement. In particular, the Simeis 147 image is a perfect candidate for deconvolution and/or wavelets processing. Not an easy target, indeed, but it needs improvement at small and medium scales, in my opinion.

Yes, as you've noticed, I haven't done any "sharpening" processes on the images.  I definitely plan on doing some deconvolution or wavelet processing in the future.

Wade

[Jordi Gallego]

Wonderful images wade, I like specially  Simeis 147. You and your camera are doing a really a nice job :wink:

Regards
Jordi

[Jack Harvey]

Very nicely done on all accounts.  Now for color<G>

[Maxi]

They are a wonderful photographs and especially this Simeis 147.

Yo, the SH-2, which are nebulae soil draw in a large field of my shots and when possible, I want to begin conducting intakes has primary focus and make some of these.

Sincerely, Maxi