Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Very good sunny day today and I recorded a lot of videos. But not much time to process them.
So this if a "first taste" of what I've done in H-Alpha with the Vixen PST mod.
A mosaic (colour and negative), a very intriguing piece of the surface and a huge set of prominences (more later as I process them).
I hope you'll like them.
Andrea
So this if a "first taste" of what I've done in H-Alpha with the Vixen PST mod.
A mosaic (colour and negative), a very intriguing piece of the surface and a huge set of prominences (more later as I process them).
I hope you'll like them.
Andrea
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Thanks a lot everyone! :
I'm very happy with the prominences but I want to get better with the surface processing. Can anyone help me with that?
Alexandra... can you please describe me how do you process your great surface images... they look so soft and "natural" I'll give you more details on how I do proms
I'd really like to do a time lapse of a prominence. As soon as I got a "stable" setup and time to do it I'll surely start doing some.
I'm very happy with the prominences but I want to get better with the surface processing. Can anyone help me with that?
Alexandra... can you please describe me how do you process your great surface images... they look so soft and "natural" I'll give you more details on how I do proms
I'd really like to do a time lapse of a prominence. As soon as I got a "stable" setup and time to do it I'll surely start doing some.
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea,
Nothing special really, for prime focus I process in Avistack 2, then use iterative Unsharp mask at 0.5 pixels, 25% and 0 threshold for around 14 times. For the 2x Barlow it is the same but with a pixel of 1.
For my prominences, absolutely nothing happens! sometimes I wonder if anything is working in the program. Only Registax wavelets work (vaguely). I get absolutely nothing like the detail you get. So what is different between the surface and the prom? I may add that if I have surface detail in the shot that sharpens lovely but the prom stays exactly the same - unmovable!
Regards
Alexandra
Nothing special really, for prime focus I process in Avistack 2, then use iterative Unsharp mask at 0.5 pixels, 25% and 0 threshold for around 14 times. For the 2x Barlow it is the same but with a pixel of 1.
For my prominences, absolutely nothing happens! sometimes I wonder if anything is working in the program. Only Registax wavelets work (vaguely). I get absolutely nothing like the detail you get. So what is different between the surface and the prom? I may add that if I have surface detail in the shot that sharpens lovely but the prom stays exactly the same - unmovable!
Regards
Alexandra
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
For my prominences, absolutely nothing happens! sometimes I wonder if anything is working in the program. Only Registax wavelets work (vaguely). I get absolutely nothing like the detail you get. So what is different between the surface and the prom? I may add that if I have surface detail in the shot that sharpens lovely but the prom stays exactly the same - unmovable!
Thanks for the description. I'll test it with my images. I take different steps that are more or less the same for prominences.
There are a few things that are important for prominences. The first is etalon tuning. I use the same tuning for both surface and prominences. But I redo the tuning everyday as the PST etalon is quite sensitive. To tune it I look for the position where I have no gradient. To help me in that process I usually set a slightly longer than normal exposition so that the gradient (if any) burns the disk.
Once done that I don't touch the etalon for the whole session.
Then there are two ways to catch prominences: burning the disk (so you can focus on the prominences only and "eclipse" the disk) or keeping the disk portion but a little over exposed (just a setting before the disk shows burnings). The prominence are usually well visible in the recording.
The stacking. It is fundamental that the image aligning is perfect. This is a crucial step. I now use AutoStakkert2! And works very well. For proms I use AP 25 (lowest value). I don't do any wavelet with any software.
The AS2! output is the taken into Photoshop. I record with a 2.25 Barlow and use iterative Smart Sharpen 10%, 3.3 range for about 10/15 times. Then I do some Unsharp Mask (10%, 1 range) and then I blur it a little to remove artifacts. This is more or less what I uses for surfaces as well. So it seems that we take different post-processing steps. Sincerely I don't think that post-processing is the real difference. Something before must be the reason for your lack of details.
Coloring is also important but that would take another page
I hope I've given some idea to try and improve your proms like I'm sure I'll improve with your info for surface details
Thanks!
Andrea
Thanks for the description. I'll test it with my images. I take different steps that are more or less the same for prominences.
There are a few things that are important for prominences. The first is etalon tuning. I use the same tuning for both surface and prominences. But I redo the tuning everyday as the PST etalon is quite sensitive. To tune it I look for the position where I have no gradient. To help me in that process I usually set a slightly longer than normal exposition so that the gradient (if any) burns the disk.
Once done that I don't touch the etalon for the whole session.
Then there are two ways to catch prominences: burning the disk (so you can focus on the prominences only and "eclipse" the disk) or keeping the disk portion but a little over exposed (just a setting before the disk shows burnings). The prominence are usually well visible in the recording.
The stacking. It is fundamental that the image aligning is perfect. This is a crucial step. I now use AutoStakkert2! And works very well. For proms I use AP 25 (lowest value). I don't do any wavelet with any software.
The AS2! output is the taken into Photoshop. I record with a 2.25 Barlow and use iterative Smart Sharpen 10%, 3.3 range for about 10/15 times. Then I do some Unsharp Mask (10%, 1 range) and then I blur it a little to remove artifacts. This is more or less what I uses for surfaces as well. So it seems that we take different post-processing steps. Sincerely I don't think that post-processing is the real difference. Something before must be the reason for your lack of details.
Coloring is also important but that would take another page
I hope I've given some idea to try and improve your proms like I'm sure I'll improve with your info for surface details
Thanks!
Andrea
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Wonderful prominance image, we have seasonal grass fires in these parts that look just like that at night.
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea
Really impressive images - as mentioned the prom is a great pic of an epic scene!
A joy to look at - thanks!
Really impressive images - as mentioned the prom is a great pic of an epic scene!
A joy to look at - thanks!
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea, great shots!
To get more surface wise you could use masks and process the limb and disk detail seperately - then combine as an overlay using opacity. The High Pass filter in PS is also another option you need to explore...
Mark
To get more surface wise you could use masks and process the limb and disk detail seperately - then combine as an overlay using opacity. The High Pass filter in PS is also another option you need to explore...
Mark
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Andrea, they came out excellent, That first one is stunning. B) Karma to ya
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea,
Nothing special really, for prime focus I process in Avistack 2, then use iterative Unsharp mask at 0.5 pixels, 25% and 0 threshold for around 14 times. For the 2x Barlow it is the same but with a pixel of 1.
For my prominences, absolutely nothing happens! sometimes I wonder if anything is working in the program. Only Registax wavelets work (vaguely). I get absolutely nothing like the detail you get. So what is different between the surface and the prom? I may add that if I have surface detail in the shot that sharpens lovely but the prom stays exactly the same - unmovable!
Regards
Alexandra
Alexandra with Proms the greater Magnification I use the greater I apply wavelets to get some effect. Up to the middle and beyond in some instances
Derek
Nothing special really, for prime focus I process in Avistack 2, then use iterative Unsharp mask at 0.5 pixels, 25% and 0 threshold for around 14 times. For the 2x Barlow it is the same but with a pixel of 1.
For my prominences, absolutely nothing happens! sometimes I wonder if anything is working in the program. Only Registax wavelets work (vaguely). I get absolutely nothing like the detail you get. So what is different between the surface and the prom? I may add that if I have surface detail in the shot that sharpens lovely but the prom stays exactly the same - unmovable!
Regards
Alexandra
Alexandra with Proms the greater Magnification I use the greater I apply wavelets to get some effect. Up to the middle and beyond in some instances
Derek
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Wonderful shots--I probably missed it but what camera and how many frames do you normally use?
Jim
Jim
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Jim,
Thanks. I use a DMK41 monocrome camera.
The recordings are Made of 1000 frames and I usually stack between 10% and 30% of the frames.
Andrea
Thanks. I use a DMK41 monocrome camera.
The recordings are Made of 1000 frames and I usually stack between 10% and 30% of the frames.
Andrea
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
I think that we are missing some important point about surface and prominences quality.
I use a PST Etalon that has a bandpass < 1.0 A while Alexandra is using something with probably half the bandpass.
Having a larger bandpass is good for priminences and bad for surface details. That's why people double stack.
Vice versa having a smaller one gives you more surface details but less prominences one. I don't know if there's a way to increase the bandpass of a telescope
I think that this consideration has to be taken into account as probably we are both experiencing the limits of our setups
I use a PST Etalon that has a bandpass < 1.0 A while Alexandra is using something with probably half the bandpass.
Having a larger bandpass is good for priminences and bad for surface details. That's why people double stack.
Vice versa having a smaller one gives you more surface details but less prominences one. I don't know if there's a way to increase the bandpass of a telescope
I think that this consideration has to be taken into account as probably we are both experiencing the limits of our setups
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea
a very fine prom shot with excellent processing :
a very fine prom shot with excellent processing :
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea, great shots!
To get more surface wise you could use masks and process the limb and disk detail seperately - then combine as an overlay using opacity. The High Pass filter in PS is also another option you need to explore...
Mark
Thanks Mark. Sometimes I do that. But I think that the real problem for surface details is in the PST etalon. It is has a <1.0A bandpass that is good for prominences but I should doulbe stack to have more disk surface details
To get more surface wise you could use masks and process the limb and disk detail seperately - then combine as an overlay using opacity. The High Pass filter in PS is also another option you need to explore...
Mark
Thanks Mark. Sometimes I do that. But I think that the real problem for surface details is in the PST etalon. It is has a <1.0A bandpass that is good for prominences but I should doulbe stack to have more disk surface details
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for all the info! I think the lower in bandpass the prominences get better, especially with my PST vs DSPST as they become more 3D in appearance and easier to capture on camera. With the Solarscope so far I just seem to get flat featureless prominences, however, may be I have just been unlucky with the proms on the days I get it out to look?
Regards
Alexandra
Thanks for all the info! I think the lower in bandpass the prominences get better, especially with my PST vs DSPST as they become more 3D in appearance and easier to capture on camera. With the Solarscope so far I just seem to get flat featureless prominences, however, may be I have just been unlucky with the proms on the days I get it out to look?
Regards
Alexandra
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
You have to sacrifice one of your PSTs and mod it. And you'll have a prominence monster
But you'll still need luck to be in the right place at the right time... can't help with that
But you'll still need luck to be in the right place at the right time... can't help with that
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
It seems that I've finally found a way to improve my disk surface images. Now they have more details and look more "natural". I think
I did by using only one pass of Smart Sharpen initially but with 500% amount. And then some Unsharp Mask and Blur.
But the key seems to be not to have an iterative Smart Sharpen but only one pass of it.
I'll experiment with it more but for now the comparison between the image I did yesterday and today's one tells me that I'm in the right direction
I did by using only one pass of Smart Sharpen initially but with 500% amount. And then some Unsharp Mask and Blur.
But the key seems to be not to have an iterative Smart Sharpen but only one pass of it.
I'll experiment with it more but for now the comparison between the image I did yesterday and today's one tells me that I'm in the right direction
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Oh yes, that's very good! B)
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi André
extremely fine result
extremely fine result
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andrea...
Those are excellent pics form the modded set-up.
Brian
Those are excellent pics form the modded set-up.
Brian
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ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums
10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM
2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
uhhh.....WOW!
todays pic on www.solarastronomy.org nice work!
WOW! I am honored.
P.S. I'm from Italy
todays pic on www.solarastronomy.org nice work!
WOW! I am honored.
P.S. I'm from Italy
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi André
congrats on the pic of the day :
congrats on the pic of the day :
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Yeah! That's great. I'm just back from the seaside (sunny and warm day here, almost spring) and I've found that nice surprise!
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi André
welcome back to the shore
welcome back to the shore
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi André
welcome back to the shore
Most incredible if you think that only 10 days ago we were at -15°C with 2 meters of snow!
welcome back to the shore
Most incredible if you think that only 10 days ago we were at -15°C with 2 meters of snow!
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Hi Andréa
great you are on the spring side again
great you are on the spring side again
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
I'll change it after work tonight...sorry
Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
I missed this post earlier. The proms shot is just fantastic!
Ted
Ted
Lunt LS80THa DSII Quark Prominence ES127mm refractor
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Re: Feb 24th - H-Alpha images
Andrea your images are better and better, thanks for sharing the processing technique.