9 replies to this topic

[Drothgeb]

I just got around to processing some data from over the winter. Just kind of a standard M51.

 

Esprit 150 ED with a 2600MC on an AZ EQ6

442 x 120 sec

Siril, PI, PS

SQM 19.5

 

Edited by Drothgeb, 11 May 2025 - 05:48 AM.

[starhunter50]

great shot, good detail, good color, nice background offset, not overcooked( neon everything)  you kept the integrity of the galaxy.

Well done.

[Astro-Master]

It's simply beautiful!

[Pompey Monkey]

I think you have clipped the black levels way too much. You seem to have a similar SQM to me and there is probably a lot more faint detail, including the tidal streams, to be revealed with nearly 15 hours of integration time.

Have you tried the RC noise exterminator tool?

[danny1976]

One of the better ones I've seen from M51.

[Drothgeb]

I think you have clipped the black levels way too much. You seem to have a similar SQM to me and there is probably a lot more faint detail, including the tidal streams, to be revealed with nearly 15 hours of integration time.

Have you tried the RC noise exterminator tool?

It was hazy with lots of high thin clouds when I shot this. Back then, I stacked it, did a quick stretch, and decided it was too noisy to mess with. But this morning, I was sitting here waiting for the dew to dry so I could mow. So I gave it try.

 

The brighter areas worked out fine. But background was pretty noisy, so I darkened it to help hide it a little. 
 

[Challenger75]

Looks nice. I think the black is too clipped though. You lost dust and detail in the wispy parts of the galaxy.

[Jim Thommes]

Beautiful Don! It may be a 'standard' view  of M51, but you have wonderful color and detail.

[licho52]

I think you have clipped the black levels way too much. You seem to have a similar SQM to me and there is probably a lot more faint detail, including the tidal streams, to be revealed with nearly 15 hours of integration time.

Have you tried the RC noise exterminator tool?

Both blacks and whites are clipped. Nice colors, but not ready for primetime as is.

[Drothgeb]

Looks nice. I think the black is too clipped though. You lost dust and detail in the wispy parts of the galaxy.

 

Both blacks and whites are clipped. Nice colors, but not ready for primetime as is.

As I mentioned…..

 

“It was hazy with lots of high thin clouds when I shot this. Back then, I stacked it, did a quick stretch, and decided it was too noisy to mess with. But this morning, I was sitting here waiting for the dew to dry so I could mow. So I gave it try.

The brighter areas worked out fine. But background was pretty noisy, so I darkened it to help hide it a little.”

 

I agree that the background sucks, but the black is better than the noise that’s under it. Looking at the hi-res Astrobin image, there’s still a ton of noise in the background. Not my best, not my worst either, just somewhere in the middle. That’s why I called it just a “standard” image. 
 

Maybe instead of standard, I’ll call it work in progress. Since the galaxy itself came out decent. At some point I’ll shoot a night or two of luminance that I’ll add to it. That will help some with the noise, and bring out more of the background detail.