Nature The Eagle Nebula and the Pillars of Creation (M16)

The Eagle Nebula and the Pillars of Creation (M16) · **5 Likes**

The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a large emission nebula in the constellation Serpens. It contains the famous star forming region known as "The Pillars of Creation". The object is about 7000 lightyears away from Earth.
55 x 180s at Iso 400

Full version here:

**Tonytee** · 07-20-2018, 01:13 AM

Just too indescribable for words. Too brilliant and awesome. Thank you.

TT

robiles · 07-20-2018, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by Pete_XL

The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a large emission nebula in the constellation Serpens. It contains the famous star forming region known as "The Pillars of Creation". The object is about 7000 lightyears away from Earth.
55 x 180s at Iso 400

Full version here:

Wow, that is really nice!
Would it be possible to describe your technique in a few rows, cause i am really curious (i like space and the stars and would like to shoot them sometimes), and other equipment used (astrotraces or orbital mount, etc).

Thanks for sharing.

**Pete_XL** · 07-20-2018, 03:02 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by robiles

Wow, that is really nice!
Would it be possible to describe your technique in a few rows, cause i am really curious (i like space and the stars and would like to shoot them sometimes), and other equipment used (astrotraces or orbital mount, etc).

Thanks for sharing.

Deep Sky astro images are principally derived from a series of long exposures that are stacked in special software (freeware or payware). The stacked image is then processed in an adequate Program like Photoshop, Pixinsight etc. I shot 55 images of 180 s exposure at ISO 400 for the Eagle Nebula in that night.

I started with fine old analog Pentax lenses from the 80s. Nowadays I use a 480 mm and a 910 mm telescope and my K3ii. Meanwhile I have a lot of other stuff that you can see below. But don't be terrified - not all of this is necessary but for my convenience and to remote control the setup.

You could start to explore the deep space with the astrotracer from a tripod like i did 4 years ago. This is good for a 10 x prolongation of the exposure time to avoid trailing stars. Astrotracer makes sense with lenses up to 200 mm fl in my opinion and excellent for wide angle starscapes with the Milky Way. If you stay in the game you might want to upgrade the equipment after a year or so. The next step would be to acquire a (german equatorial) mount to be able to use longer lenses/telescopes and maybe add some autoguiding equipment.

If you are interested in astroimaging things you might visit our astrophotograpy group here in PentaxForums. We would be pleased to help you into the saddle.

Cheers
Pete

**Pete_XL** · 07-20-2018, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by Tonytee

Just too indescribable for words. Too brilliant and awesome. Thank you.

TT

Thank you for your kind words, Tony!

Cheers
Pete

**DW58** · 07-20-2018, 08:46 AM

Amazing. Both the image and your gear. Congratulations.

Staubach · 07-20-2018, 09:03 AM

Nice! Did the image need any type of deconvolution application?

Eddie75 · 07-20-2018, 09:08 AM

Good work!!!

**TedH42** · 07-20-2018, 10:10 AM

Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs?

Thanks.

**Pete_XL** · 07-20-2018, 12:37 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for your friendly comments, guys

Originally posted by Eddie75

Good work!!!

Originally posted by DW58

Amazing. Both the image and your gear. Congratulations.

Originally posted by TedH42

Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs?
Thanks.

Yes, Ted, it is a normal K3ii. I do not want to use a modified cam. I would prefer photograph with a dedicated astrocam instead if I wanted more Ha signal. But then I would have to leave our nice PentaxForums astrophotography group

.

Originally posted by Staubach

Nice! Did the image need any type of deconvolution application?

I processed the image in Photoshop. I did nor use a dedicated deconvolution algorythm or special software. I like to do some highpass sharpening in the end of the process. Sometimes (very seldom) I use Focus Magic. And sometimes (not here but in e. g. in the Veil Nebula image) it is necessary to reduce the dominance of the stars .

**Kevin B123** · 07-20-2018, 01:50 PM - **1 Like**

I've seen a magnified version of this on the Nasa site for the Hubble telescope before, but the ideal that this can be achieved with a K-3ii and some admittedly dedicated kit (and obviously) user skill really blows me away. TFS.

SSGGeezer · 07-20-2018, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I've seen a magnified version of this on the Nasa site for the Hubble telescope before, but the ideal that this can be achieved with a K-3ii and some admittedly dedicated kit (and obviously) user skill really blows me away. TFS.

Pretty amazing what another benefit of digital imaging for the masses has brought hobbyists of Astronomy as well as photography buffs. Amazing image!

**Pete_XL** · 07-20-2018, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by TedH42

Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs?

Thanks.

......no filters, Ted.

Pete_XL
	View full profile
	Contact via private message
	Find other posts by Pete_XL
	Find threads started by Pete_XL
	Find threads in which Pete_XL has posted

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Night Orion Nebula M42 and Running Man Nebula with Pentax K3 II	Pete_XL	Post Your Photos!	19	10-29-2019 03:08 PM
Black & White The Crypt of the Large Pillars	Zav	Post Your Photos!	7	07-24-2018 03:04 PM
Forest of Pillars	corsan	Monthly Photo Contests	5	04-10-2017 03:57 AM
Nature The Rosette Nebula and the star cluster NGC2244	Pete_XL	Post Your Photos!	11	03-07-2017 06:46 AM
Night Orion's Sword and the Orion Nebula	bobtheicicle	Post Your Photos!	4	12-08-2016 09:23 AM

07-20-2018, 01:13 AM	#2
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,446	Just too indescribable for words. Too brilliant and awesome. Thank you. TT

07-20-2018, 01:53 AM	#3
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	Originally posted by Pete_XL The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a large emission nebula in the constellation Serpens. It contains the famous star forming region known as "The Pillars of Creation". The object is about 7000 lightyears away from Earth. 55 x 180s at Iso 400 Full version here: Wow, that is really nice! Would it be possible to describe your technique in a few rows, cause i am really curious (i like space and the stars and would like to shoot them sometimes), and other equipment used (astrotraces or orbital mount, etc). Thanks for sharing.

07-20-2018, 03:02 AM - 1 Like	#4
Pete_XL Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 335 Original Poster	Originally posted by robiles Wow, that is really nice! Would it be possible to describe your technique in a few rows, cause i am really curious (i like space and the stars and would like to shoot them sometimes), and other equipment used (astrotraces or orbital mount, etc). Thanks for sharing. Deep Sky astro images are principally derived from a series of long exposures that are stacked in special software (freeware or payware). The stacked image is then processed in an adequate Program like Photoshop, Pixinsight etc. I shot 55 images of 180 s exposure at ISO 400 for the Eagle Nebula in that night. I started with fine old analog Pentax lenses from the 80s. Nowadays I use a 480 mm and a 910 mm telescope and my K3ii. Meanwhile I have a lot of other stuff that you can see below. But don't be terrified - not all of this is necessary but for my convenience and to remote control the setup. You could start to explore the deep space with the astrotracer from a tripod like i did 4 years ago. This is good for a 10 x prolongation of the exposure time to avoid trailing stars. Astrotracer makes sense with lenses up to 200 mm fl in my opinion and excellent for wide angle starscapes with the Milky Way. If you stay in the game you might want to upgrade the equipment after a year or so. The next step would be to acquire a (german equatorial) mount to be able to use longer lenses/telescopes and maybe add some autoguiding equipment. If you are interested in astroimaging things you might visit our astrophotograpy group here in PentaxForums. We would be pleased to help you into the saddle. Cheers Pete

07-20-2018, 03:04 AM	#5
Pete_XL Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 335 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tonytee Just too indescribable for words. Too brilliant and awesome. Thank you. TT Thank you for your kind words, Tony! Cheers Pete

07-20-2018, 08:46 AM	#6
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,062	Amazing. Both the image and your gear. Congratulations.

07-20-2018, 09:03 AM	#7
Staubach Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 401	Nice! Did the image need any type of deconvolution application?

07-20-2018, 09:08 AM	#8
Eddie75 Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 86	Good work!!!

07-20-2018, 10:10 AM	#9
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs? Thanks.

07-20-2018, 12:37 PM - 1 Like	#10
Pete_XL Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 335 Original Poster	Thanks for your friendly comments, guys Originally posted by Eddie75 Good work!!! Originally posted by DW58 Amazing. Both the image and your gear. Congratulations. Originally posted by TedH42 Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs? Thanks. Yes, Ted, it is a normal K3ii. I do not want to use a modified cam. I would prefer photograph with a dedicated astrocam instead if I wanted more Ha signal. But then I would have to leave our nice PentaxForums astrophotography group . Originally posted by Staubach Nice! Did the image need any type of deconvolution application? I processed the image in Photoshop. I did nor use a dedicated deconvolution algorythm or special software. I like to do some highpass sharpening in the end of the process. Sometimes (very seldom) I use Focus Magic. And sometimes (not here but in e. g. in the Veil Nebula image) it is necessary to reduce the dominance of the stars .

07-20-2018, 01:50 PM - 1 Like	#11
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	I've seen a magnified version of this on the Nasa site for the Hubble telescope before, but the ideal that this can be achieved with a K-3ii and some admittedly dedicated kit (and obviously) user skill really blows me away. TFS.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-20-2018, 05:32 PM	#12
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I've seen a magnified version of this on the Nasa site for the Hubble telescope before, but the ideal that this can be achieved with a K-3ii and some admittedly dedicated kit (and obviously) user skill really blows me away. TFS. Pretty amazing what another benefit of digital imaging for the masses has brought hobbyists of Astronomy as well as photography buffs. Amazing image!

07-20-2018, 07:34 PM	#13
Pete_XL Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 335 Original Poster	Originally posted by TedH42 Excellent image. You certainly got all the H-alpha on this one. This is with your unmodded K-3ii? Are you adding a filter for some of your subs? Thanks. ......no filters, Ted.