M51 colliding with NGC 5195 in Ha-LRGB (Uwe Deutermann)

M51 colliding with NGC 5195 in Ha-LRGB

Revision title: using the extra Lum data and merged them with the previous image

Another (yearly) trial on M51, and this time I believe I got much closer to a result that I am really happy with. This and M101 always look so easy, but everybody who tried to process these targets finds out that it is indeed not the case. This time I went for 5 minute exposures in all channels (LRGB and Hα), which I believe made a big difference. Next year I will try the same target again but with less gain and offset to see what difference these settings make.

The Hα addition was done by mixing the red channel with the Hα channel 50% each, which emphasized the structures better.

This is also the first image that I used (partially) with my new auto focuser SESTO SENSO 2. After some (typical) fight to get things going (needed extra power supply, now using the internal line from the MyT mount, which works now flawlessly) I am of course happy, refractors like the WO FLT need focus adjustments around every hour. And with the focus routine of SGP this is now done in 2 minutes without moving away from the target.

Also interesting was the choice of the Hydrogen filter, the standard 7nm really did not reveal a lot of data, while the Hyperspeed filter was a great addition! So for everybody who owns the Hyperspeed filters from Baader: the Hα one is definitely a plus even at slower speeds!

One other fact: this was done with a 5" refractor, and I am amazed how much detail it shows!

Multi star PHD result: 0.415

B

Description: The new setup, with SESTO SENSO 2 auto focuser and the Pegasus Power Box now all on the scope, no dragging cables anymore!

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C

Description: Slight Huw adjustments.

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D

Description: Cropped version to get the glory of M51

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E

Description: Following Rodd's and Scott's advice to lower the lightness of M51, they are correct! Might be not even enough!!

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F

Description: I thought it might be nice for me to see any improvements to previous years. Here the sequence of 3 years ... not aligned, but good enough to judge.

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G

Description: Followed Johny;'s advice to add the Super Lum (as I call it) to the image, definitely improved the noise level!!

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H

Description: Added star colors from pure RGB image.

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I

Title: 2 minute exposures with new Televue 2" Powermate 2x, FL at 1850mm

Description: Hat to try my newest toy out, hence before the big rain starts here in Florida a final session with just Lum. Had to adjust several parameters in Sequence Generator Pro to get everything running fine (much narrower focus search, otherwise it cannot find the lowest point). I adjusted the back focus twice, still not enough as I now see, but it is getting closer.
Main objective was to see if f/14 (YES) is working at least for the brighter targets, and so far I am not disappointed.

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J

Title: using the extra Lum data and merged them with the previous image

Description: Merged the previous final image with the newest Lum data, and I might actually see a slight improvement. The Lum data actually boosted the colors very well, I am a bit surprised about that.

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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	5466099
PixInsight job	RT234G2FQ0XJLZTZL92H2HMY4RZONXRT
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	13h29m49s.550
RA (top/left)	13h30m45s.539
RA (top/right)	13h30m33s.960
RA (bottom/right)	13h28m52s.187
RA (bottom/left)	13h29m05s.300

Dec (center)	+47°13′43″.17
Dec (top/left)	+47°03′04″.50
Dec (top/right)	+47°25′57″.99
Dec (bottom/right)	+47°24′20″.22
Dec (bottom/left)	+47°01′27″.28

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