2 Images, One 'Footprint'

[Mike Lewis]

So I ended up with 2 different 'mixes' for the same data - you can chime in on which is preferred.

NGC 1491, also known as the Fossil Footprint Nebula, is a bright emission nebula in the constellation Perseus, located approximately 9,8000 light years distant. It is energized by stars putting out large amounts of UV energy causing the surrounding gas to glow. It is the large region left of center in this image.

The smaller nebulosity region to the right is Sh2-209, another star forming region located farther away at approximately 29,000 light years from Earth.

At the right edge of the frame the open cluster NGC 1528 can also be seen. Both versions can also be seen here, at larger size...

https://app.astrobin.com/u/mlewis?i=188liz#gallery (Foraxx is Revision A, SHO is Revision B)

Here is the originally processed version, using the Foraxx Palette:

Here is another 'mix', this time a more conventional SHO style palette, leaving at least a little green in the image:

Which one is preferred?

Thanks for looking! Collection details follow...

Equipment:
Poseidon-M Camera @ -5C and
Gain:125 Offset:25
Astro-Physics Mach2 Mount
Williams Optics Cat 91 Refractor, 448mm @ f/4.9
Antlia Pro Filters (3nm narrowband plus RGB)
Askar FMA180 Guide scope with ASI290MM

Software:
Pixinsight Commercial Version 1.9
Lightroom CC
Photoshop CC
N.I.N.A. Control Software
BlurXTerminator (Russell Croman)
StarXTerminator (Russell Croman)
NoiseXTerminator (Russell Croman)
Astro-Physics APCC and APPM

Light Frames:
Gain 125 / Offset 25
Hα: 18 x 900 secs 4 hrs 30 mins)
Oiii: 26 x 900 secs (6 hrs 30 mins)
Sii: 25 x 900 secs (6 hrs 15 mins)
Red: 18 x 600 secs (3 hrs)
Green: 15 x 600 secs (2 hrs 30 mins)
Blue: 14 x 600 secs (2 hrs 20 mins)

25 hrs 05 mins total

Dark Frames:
10 x 600 secs (1 hr 40 mins)
10 x 900 secs (2 hrs 30 mins)

ML

 

[AlanLichty]

I readily confess to being a complete astro photography idiot who likes looking at interesting deep space color shows. I lean towards the first version as an image that grabs my attention.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

To my eyes the second one has more detail and the color palette is more varied than the primarily red in the first.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool work Mike! And I like the choice here, it's great to see 2 versions.

The Fossil Footprint to me is a very hard one to get right. When done in the normal processing, I have always thought that the OIII area feels too bright, even though it isn't. But that's the way it looks in the other images I have seen of this from other photographers. So I really like #2, because it shows the various gasses of nebulosity better I think. I think #2 is one of the better images I have seen of this guy.

 

[Mike Lewis]

I readily confess to being a complete astro photography idiot who likes looking at interesting deep space color shows. I lean towards the first version as an image that grabs my attention.

Thanks Alan - appreciate your feedback and opinion on this one.

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

Very cool work Mike! And I like the choice here, it's great to see 2 versions.

The Fossil Footprint to me is a very hard one to get right. When done in the normal processing, I have always thought that the OIII area feels too bright, even though it isn't. But that's the way it looks in the other images I have seen of this from other photographers. So I really like #2, because it shows the various gasses of nebulosity better I think. I think #2 is one of the better images I have seen of this guy.

Thanks Jim, it is a bit strange to process. I did try SHO originally and didn't quite like it, but eventiually went back to it again and after more tinkering got the 2nd result you see here. I think it is the one I prefer too for the same reasons you mention. But the initial one is fun too. Always interesting to see the massively different results one can get with the same data set...

ML

 

[Comet Hunter]

I prefer the sho pallet myself. Nicely done

 

[Mike Lewis]

To my eyes the second one has more detail and the color palette is more varied than the primarily red in the first.

Thanks Jameel, I like the 2nd one too. I originally waws not thinking to re-process it, but just started fooling around and realized I was on to something.

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

I prefer the sho pallet myself. Nicely done

Thanks Ed, appreciate your feedback on your preference...

ML

 

[Andy Elliott]

Ohhh that's a difficult choice. I think that because I shoot mostly in OSC I am drawn to the first one, I like the warm colours (even though space is cold!). I have an SHO version of this target filed away, I need to go take a look.