M57 Ha LRGB

I went for a for a deeper look M57 this time. In addition, I took some H-Alpha exposures binned 2x2 for greater signal. I did compress the dynamic range significantly to show the features, so some may find the image a bit unusual. A full size image and exposure / processing details are at:

http://jthommes.com/Astro/RingM57.htm
(be sure to click on the image for a full size view)

C8 at f/7.5
Artemis285 H-Alpha, IR Block, and RGB filters
G11/Gemini
Guiding - Megrez II at 1350 mm FL, DSI Pro, PHD Guiding

An earlier image is here:

http://jthommes.com/MiscAstro/Archives/RingM57.htm

Wow! I don't think I've seen the outer nebulosity before.

- Jared Willson

Great stuff Jim, as usual!
Love the nebulosity around The Ring... we don't get to see it often.

Thanks for sharing! 8)

Looks good Jim,
You picked up the outer ring well,I am guessing binning the Ha made a big improvement here.

Good work as usual!

Jason

Hello Jim,

Very nice! I need to explore this approach of using 2x2 binning to get fainter components. I'm beginning to see this approach being used on galaxies as well.

Eric

That's an excellent result, Jim.
It's deftly processed.
Did you also add a small percentage of the Ha into the blue channel?
As a further challenge for this year or some future year, there is an even fainter outer layer:
http://www.stanmooreastro.com/NGC6720.html
but that takes a big chunk of imaging time. It does beg the question: Who knows how long that central star has been puffing out layers? There's a good chance there's an even fainter, older layer out there. It just might require an entire season of imaging to catch it, though.

dan

Excellent as usual, Jim!

Tom

DEEEEEP!! Well done, Jim.

Nice. I like all the extra plumage and the background galaxy shows up well.

very nice image Jim.

Kevin