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M13 Reprocessed - 03/06/2022

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Ed D, Mar 6, 2022.

M13 Reprocessed - 03/06/2022

Started by Ed D on Mar 6, 2022 at 3:04 PM

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  1. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 6, 2022
    #1
    Around 5 years ago I imaged M13, the Hercules Cluster, when I had just started getting into imaging. My ASI290MC was then new, and I used it in the AT72ED that I no longer own, and CG-4 with motor drive. I didn't know as much back then as I know now. I processed the few light frames I took in RegiStax 6.

    Today I took that image and 'tweaked' it using GIMP. This is what I came up with:

    M13 Hercules Cluster 2017 07-14 redone 2022 03-06.jpg
    Hercules Cluster Redo 03/06/2022

    This is the image I came up with in 2017:

    M13 Hercules Cluster 2017 07-14.jpg
    Hercules Cluster as Imaged in 2017

    Same Image, but reprocessed knowing what I now know. I have refined my skills in the past five years, not to mention that programs (apps?) have come a long way, too. My next victim I plan on imaging is the Little Beehive in Canis Major. Stay tuned.

    Ed D
     
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  2. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 7, 2022
    #2
    Here are a few more of my early images that I reprocessed last night:

    Omega Centauri 2018 02-16 reprocessed 2022 03-06.jpg
    Omega Centauri - reprocessed 03/06/2022

    Double Cluster in Perseus 2018 12-29 reprocessed 2022 03-06 sized.jpg
    Double cluster in Perseus - Reprocessed 03/06/2022

    M57 Ring Nebula 2017 07-25 reprocessed 2022 03-06.jpg
    Ring Nebula - Reprocessed 03/06/2022

    The clusters now appear fuller with more background stars, as well as a contrast improvement making the subject better defined and stand out better. The Ring Nebula colors are brighter and stand out much better, and a background that was kind of greenish is now black.

    Ed D
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2022
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  3. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Mar 8, 2022
    #3
    I can see the progression in your images of M13. All nice shots. I want to get some shots this summer. Love the colors in the Ring!
     
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  4. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 9, 2022
    #4
    Thank you, Reggie. My imaging and processing skills have improved over the years, as have the programs that I use. I still use some programs that are well on in years, but they serve specific purposes.

    At this moment I'm photographing the Rosette Nebula using my new ZWO Duo-Band filter in the imaging train. I'm finishing up dinner and on-line while the camera tracks and clicks away. If I get good data, and I say 'if' because I haven't used the new filter yet, I will be posting what I hope will be a nice image.

    Ed D
     
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  5. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Mar 10, 2022
    #5
    Looking forward to it, Ed :)
     
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  6. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 11, 2022
    #6
    M57 is very nice Ed. I discovered late last year that I can use a broadband OIII on it at a 1.5mm exit pupil with my 72mm ED doublet. It makes it a bit green though lol.
     
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  7. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 12, 2022
    #7
    Years ago, when my area was a Red Zone, I remember observing M57 through the 6" f/8 Dob I had, as well as with the AT72ED. What a sight that was. I also remember using my O-III filter, which I still have, on nebulae, such as Orion and Lagoon.

    Unfortunately, I rarely do visual any more. Not because I lost interest, but because I can't see anything in the night sky any more. Last night I set up my 'Little Friend', the AT60ED, on my Alt-Az mount to do some observing. What a sad joke that was. It wasn't even 10 minutes and I brought the equipment back in the house. Can't wait for the bright planets to reappear in the night sky.

    Ed
     
  8. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 12, 2022
    #8
    How about something like a fast 4" achromat like the ST102? It's not ridiculously expensive and quite portable.

    st102stock.jpg

    It might help with the LP for some rich field and/or deep sky.

    moon.jpg

    Mine ended up with a MoonLite! One year it got out more than the 72ED.
     
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  9. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 12, 2022
    #9
    I used to have an AT72ED that I purchased years ago when they first came out. I used the daylights out of that scope, both visually and imaging, and it went with me to Everglades National Park many times. If there was one piece of astro gear I regretted selling it was that scope.

    I kept three scopes: a Tele Vue TV-85 used for visual and imaging, an iOptron 150mm Mak that I love for planetary and lunar imaging, and a 10" SkyWatcher Dob that I have used for observing and planetary imaging. The TV-85 gets used the most, by far, because it has good aperture, but not so much that the bright sky washes out the image.

    I bought the little 60mm because I wanted something for imaging with a shorter focal length than the TV-85, but longer than the camera lenses I have. I'm very happy with it. I had to try it visually, but it just doesn't have enough ooomph for the backyard.

    Ed
     
  10. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 12, 2022
    #10
    72.jpg

    My SW 72ED DS Pro gets out the most as it's the easiest and most balanced on the AZ5 alt-az. I'm not sure about the flint element, probably some FPL- 51 equivalent although the crown is Schott.

    72b.jpg

    As I live on the Worcs/Staffs border in the greenbelt, LP isn't such an issue for me. I have bigger refractors but portability appeals to me as I'm physically disabled.
     
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  11. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 12, 2022
    #11
    I understand the appeal of smaller equipment and portability. I had a disagreement with a pit bull 2 1/2 years ago that left me with injuries I have since learned how to deal with.

    Ed
     
  12. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 13, 2022
    #12
    And there is the benefit of being able to take advantage of breaks in the weather with a smaller scope. Although smaller catadioptrics can take time to reach thermal equilibrium.

    102.jpg

    My 102mm SkyMax is a very portable lunar/planetary scope but can take up to 40 minutes to cool down.
     
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