M78/NGC2068-2067 area

Hi,

I got lucky and had a couple more clear nights so I pointed the scope to M78.

After shooting the luminance for this I was pretty excited because I thought it looked real good. After shooting the RGB and combining it I was not quite as excited more adventures with removing gradients from the RGB keeping this one from being all I had hoped for.I think I will go back to the individual RGB subs and see if I can work on them individually to maybe better deal with the gradient problem.

I am becoming frustrated trying to shoot deep LRGB images of these fainter targets,always problems with gradients in the RGB,by the time I get it somewhat sorted out I just can't stretch as much as I want without it turning ugly! I may just stick to brighter targets for LRGB and stay with narrowband images of the dimmer nebula. Oh how I wish I had darker skies.

Anyway,enough of me whining,here's the result of my efforts and the details.

40x300s Luminance
9x600s each RGB
TMB 115 and ST10xme
1200gto guided with a remote guide and head e-finder

Thanks for having a look your comments always welcomed,

Jason

Attached Image:

Hi Jason.
I thought the image came out well. Quite nice in fact! I can't see any evidence of processing struggles. Admittedly my monitor tends to be a little dark, but I thought it could stand a bit more stretch. Noise looked to be well under control. It would be nice to see a higher rez version.....

That is a sweet image Jason! I know what you mean about gradients in the color data. It is always disappointing for me when I add color. Stretching becomes soooo difficult! Your result here is really nice.

Ah...love M78! nice work Jason.

It turned out very nice albeit a little dark but with the gradient problems I understand you had no choice. Are you using Gradient Xterminator?

There is no substitute for dark skies though. Hard though if you drive a long way only to see clouds!

Greg.

Jason,
Could we take a look at your calibrated RGB master (without luminance) before you have started any gradient removal?
It's easier to diagnose a problem or correct a procedure when you can see the Before rather than the After.
I agree with the others. The color looks good, though the background is a little dark.

dan

You always manage to make that little scope sing.

Rolando

Nice job, Jason! I've never tried this object (at least seriously) from my backyard. You give me hope that it may be feasible for me

Eric

Beautiful shot Jason!
Awesome detail & colors, well done! 8)

I love M78 and plan to shoot it again sometime soon.

I shot this image of M78 at Okie-Tex 2007. After midnight the seeing settled down for a few hours. I wish there had been more time to get more data but it turned out better than I expected. You gotta love DARK skies.

L=90m 5m subs
RGB=30m ea

HX-916 CCD
Meade SN-8 @ f4
CI-700 Mount guided with ED80 and HX-516
Captured and processed with Astro-Art v4

John / CCD-Freak

Attached Image: