M5 and the 5 Serpentis Double

[Mike in Rancho]

I showed this in another thread, but per request for the log and after finding this Gallery forum, I figured it would go here best so as to not derail the other topic.

This is my third ever globular cluster. First was a rather flawed M13 earlier in the year, and a few weeks ago I got a decent shot of Omega Centauri after plucking it right off the horizon. For M5, I stacked the best 75 two minute subs taken over two nights, with 100 total flats and my bias master. Scope was an Evostar 100ED at 900mm, stock Nikon D5300, on an HEQ5 Pro.

Processing was entirely the current 1.7, then Gimp just for scaling down and jpg export. As the log shows, after mostly typical processing, I kept going back at it for little touchups, though without masks you can't really tell what I was up to lol.

M5 2pt5hr wide ST1G.jpg (448.81 KiB) Viewed 2419 times

Now, to see if I can post this log right as instructed...

Code: Select all

-----------------------------------------------------------
StarTools 1.7.461
Wed Jun 16 11:28:05 2021
-----------------------------------------------------------
File loaded [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes.fts].
Image size is 5921 x 3940
--- 
Type of Data: Linear and was Bayered, but not whitebalanced
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [15 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [5921 pixels (-0)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [3940 pixels (-0)]
Parameter [Detector Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Shadow Linearity] set to [50 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [1353 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [809 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [4594 pixels (-1327)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [2902 pixels (-1038)]
Image size is 3241 x 2093
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [scale 70.71% / +1.00 bits / +0.41x SNR improvement]
Image size is 2291 x 1479
--- Wipe
Parameter [Synthetic Dark/Bias] set to [Off]
Parameter [Gradient Edge Behavior] set to [Absorb 50%]
Parameter [Synthetic Flats] set to [Off]
Parameter [Sampling Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [10 pixels]
Parameter [Gradient Falloff] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Synth. Bias Edge Area] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Gradient Aggressiveness] set to [95 %]
Redoing stretch of linear data
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [6.5 pixels]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [15 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [1012 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [581 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [1269 pixels (-1022)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [885 pixels (-594)]
Parameter [Detector Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Shadow Linearity] set to [50 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Reveal All]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [1000 pixels]
Parameter [Strength] set to [1.4]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Reveal DSO Core]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [Full]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [1000 pixels]
Parameter [Strength] set to [1.4]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Structure Size] set to [Large]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- SNR-aware Wavelet Sharpening
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [4 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [397 %]
Parameter [High SNR Size Bias] set to [85 %]
Parameter [Low SNR Size Bias] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Dark/Light Enhance] set to [100% / 0%]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Deconvolution
Parameter [Image Type] set to [Deep Space]
Parameter [Secondary PSF] set to [Off (Primary Only)]
Parameter [Primary PSF] set to [Moffat Beta=4.765 (Trujillo)]
Parameter [Primary Radius] set to [2.0 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [11]
Parameter [Error Diffusion] set to [Off]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Deringing] set to [50 %]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Deconvolution
Parameter [Image Type] set to [Deep Space]
Parameter [Secondary PSF] set to [Off (Primary Only)]
Parameter [Primary PSF] set to [Moffat Beta=4.765 (Trujillo)]
Parameter [Primary Radius] set to [1.2 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [11]
Parameter [Error Diffusion] set to [Off]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [6.0 pixels]
Parameter [Deringing] set to [50 %]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Color
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Matrix] set to [Identity (OFF)]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [3.3]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [228 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.57]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [2.14]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.21]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Highlight Repair] set to [10 pixels]
--- Unified De-Noise
Parameter [Grain Size] set to [11.0 pixels]
Parameter [Walking Noise Size] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Walking Noise Angle] set to [0]
--- Unified De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [95 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [95 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [95 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [95 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Grain Equalization] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Grain Dispersion] set to [11.0 pixels]
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1A.tiff].
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [2.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Shrink
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Halo Extend] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [0]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [0.85]
Parameter [Color Taming] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [De-ringing] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Un-glow Strength] set to [Off]
Parameter [Un-glow Kernel] set to [Off]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.6 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.7 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [3.4 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [3.1 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1B.tiff].
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Shrink
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Halo Extend] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [5]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [0.85]
Parameter [Color Taming] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [De-ringing] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Un-glow Strength] set to [Off]
Parameter [Un-glow Kernel] set to [Off]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Shrink
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Halo Extend] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [10]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [0.85]
Parameter [Color Taming] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [De-ringing] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Un-glow Strength] set to [Off]
Parameter [Un-glow Kernel] set to [Off]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1C.tiff].
--- Color
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Increase Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Matrix] set to [Identity (OFF)]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [9.9]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [9.9]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Increase] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Increase] set to [1.10]
Parameter [Red Bias Increase] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Highlight Repair] set to [Off]
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1D.tiff].
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.4 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1E.tiff].
File loaded [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1E.tiff].
Image size is 2291 x 1479
--- 
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [2.4 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [2.6 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Blend]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [3.8 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [6.4 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.0]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1F.tiff].
File loaded [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1F.tiff].
Image size is 2291 x 1479
--- 
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
--- Shrink
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Halo Extend] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [30]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [0.85]
Parameter [Color Taming] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [De-ringing] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Un-glow Strength] set to [Off]
Parameter [Un-glow Kernel] set to [Off]
Mask used (BASE64 PNG encoded)
File saved [F:\ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY\DSO M5\M5 June 2021 processing\M5 2pt5hr rgb yes new crop ST1G.tiff].

Ah, I see. So it all goes in a little scrolling box. Nifty.

[deanST]

very nice!!! I really like the detail and colors you retained in the core. Scrolly box is cool too. Thanks for sharing the workflow.

[Mike in Rancho]

Thanks.

I'm actually getting closer to having a decent 1.8 version of it now also, and hopefully will soon surpass the 1.7 and I can post it up.

In the one I made last night, using SVD, I was able to get colors even deeper into the core than above - which is too white in there for my taste. Just took the right sample stars, setting of spatial error, and dynamic extension. Only thing is I lost 5 Serpentis in doing so. It actually resolved the double much better than 1.7, but in increasing the dynamic range I ended up with the grayed out core.

Overall though, I did a lot less cleanup work than 1.7 - just that one bright star core and then a slight layer blur on most other stars to lessen some harsh transitions. That was it, done in a (relative) jiffy!

I'll try it again tonight, possibly with a stronger stretch as I think I went a little too weak after trying out that new parameter in Wipe.

D'oh! I totally forgot to save my apod mask. (we can do that right? probably). Guess I'll be making blue squares again.