NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula

webtreatz.com/component/option,com_zoom/...geNo,4/key,33/hit,1/

This is a HA(L)HA(R)GB shot taken last Friday.

Celestron 80ED @ 600mm Canon 300D (Modified) 10 x 4mins H-Alpha, 5 x 3 mins RGB. (HA replaces Red channel and also used as a luminance channel) Processed with Images Plus v2.75

My own opinion is that it needs a little more green/blue data. Next time I'll make the green/blue about 75% of the HA. I do like this nebula.

Nice shot Dave! Is it you calling it the Pacman Nebula, or is it really called that?

I think you're right about needing more blue and green data. A lot of the background stars (those too small to appear bright), are red. What about simply reprocessing it minus some of the HA frames and see how that works? I know it may not appear as bright that way, but you might get more natural background colours in those stars perhaps?

Seanie.

Dave - that's a really nice image. The nebula comes out really well. Nice framing too.

Is there a gradient there? If you look at the top left, its a nice black bacground and well defined stars but the quality seems to drop off heading towards the lower right.

Have you done any flats yet? Naughty....

Keep them coming!

Dave

That looks very good to me Dave. Hard to find fault with it to be honest.
In terms of colour images, each person will perceive colour slightly differently hence getting an image thaty looks "right" to everyone is virtually impossible. Personally, I'd keep to monochrome. Howevewr, in terms of colour images, that's a fab shot.

Dave, That shot reminds me of old film images ! Film is still better at bringing out colour of nebulae than digital, but that's a fine job!

Keith..

Thanks for the comments guys, as always appreciated.

Seanie: I didnt make up "The Pacman Nebula". I think its more a nickname than any recognised term.

I dont think removing HA frames will help. I that might just make it more noisy. I do see where your coming from though. Nah this is all part of the learning curve. Once I can establish the correct ratio of HA to colour then the stars should appear more natural.

Dave Mc Now that my observatory is almost complete, I'll be able to take flats much easier, It wont be long before my images will comprise of lights darks bias and FLATS! Woohoo!

Michael: You got me thinking. I do like monochrome images too. Maybe I should publish both.

Again thanks everyone.