Ok, I finally got my image cleaned up. I also had the opportunity to crack the binder on a new book focused on image processing… from an astrophotographer’s perspective. It’s called “The New Astro Zone System for Astro Imaging” by Ron Wodaski with Russ Croman. I’ve only gotten a chapter or two into the book and feel like I’m 100% better at image processing. I can’t even say that I’ve taken in all that I’ve read… only a small portion of it… and yet…. as the accompanying image shows, I’ve certainly picked up something If you’re at all serious about astrophotography, this book is a must read. You may already know a large chunk of what’s covered in the book, but if you pick up just a few nuggets, this book could push you to the next level.

Anyway, this image was created from (10) 60 second exposures at ISO400 with Canon Digital Rebel XTi through my Astro Physics Starfire 160 at prime focus f/7.5. The images were stacked using RegiStax (another program that I’ve only scratched the surface with).

Next, I brought this into PhotoShop where I applied some of Wodaski and Croman’s magic. I used Levels (which I’ve used extensively before), and Curves (which I’ve hardly ever used before because I didn’t know what in the world I was supposed to accomplish with it). I used each of these twice and then saved the image.

Finally, I pulled this image into Neat Image. This is a program that bills itself as the best noise reduction program on the market. Not knowing much about this… and being satisfied with the results… I’ll accept their claim at face value. Neat Image took off some of the rough edges in my image. It considerable reduced the noise (pixelation) in the image with a somewhat intuitive interface. I’ll need to go through the docs to see what can be accomplished with this tool, but its interface was not the slightest bit intimidating… and seemed to suggest that I tweak settings to see the effects.

All in all, I think I have already made a qualitative breakthrough in my astrophotography skills. I’ve printed a few of my favorites… and am looking forward to revisiting some of my earlier efforts as I upgrade my skills with the aforementioned tools.

Be sure to checkout my earlier effort on Irregular Galaxy M82. This was created before I began working “in the zone”

Astro Photo Details:

* Designation: M81
* Type: Spiral Galaxy
* Constellation: Ursa Major
* Magnitude: 6.9
* Size: 21′x 10′

* Designation: M82
* Type: Irregular Galaxy
* Constellation: Ursa Major
* Magnitude: 8.4
* Size: 8′x 3′

Astro Photo Processing Details

* 10 x 60s exposures at ISO400
* Stacked using RegiStax 4
* Photo Shop Levels & Curves
* Neat Image