Hi folks,
I have a couple of questions about processing nebulae (like the heart nebula). First a bit of data... I took ~3 hrs of Ha (1x1) data with 1 hr each of RGB (2x2) with intent to use Ha as the luminance channel.
My general approach was to take and process the RGB data and ensure that it has the desired color. It is a bit difficult to use tools like color balance because nebulous gas covers the entirety of the frame. This scenario does not allow for the use of a background reference and, as such, the entire frame yields background stars that are a bit too "orange-red".
So... my first question is:
1.) How does one go about balancing colors where there is no "empty" (non-dso) background to reference?
Next, I think I have a fundamental misunderstanding about the Lum channel. When I arrived on an RGB frame that was ok and had the right shade of red (except as described above), I went to register and combine this with my Ha data. Using the LRGB combine module, I select the Ha as "L" and apply this to the registered RGB data. The resultant image has changed the deep red color created in the RGB to a pale salmon color. I know that combining the Ha with the Red channel can sometimes crate this color, but I didn't know that the Lum channel could change color this drastically. I think that Juan may have explained to me how this can happen, but it was probably above my head...
2.) So... is there a better way to use Ha data as the Lum and retain color? Perhaps I am going about this the wrong way entirely.
Thanks for any help,
Ken
