M8 - The Lagoon Nebula

Emission Nebula in Sagittarius

Uploaded 8/23/03

Select an image size for a larger view: 800 x 600 1200 x 800 1600 x 1200

This complex and extended emission nebula is not only one of the brightest objects of its type in the sky, but also one of the most detailed. To take advantage of this, two skyfog limited frames were taken to yield an image with superior signal to noise. This allowed more sophisticated processing of the image using software algorithms normally reserved for CCD images. Note the preponderance of small dark nebula across the nebula. These so called "Bok globules" make excellent tests of a sharp image and processing success.

I would highly encourage you to at least view the 1200 wide image if your bandwidth allows. Its really starting to show the depth of the fine details in this image.

Processing: Two images scanned with a Nikon Super Coolscan LS2000 scanner at 12 bits. The two 56Mb files were each adjusted in Photoshop separately, and combined with a 50 percent blend in Picture Window Pro. The resulting smooth image was changed in Photoshop to an LAB image, and the L channel was processed separately in Maxim DL. The LRGB combine was in Photoshop by pasting the new L channel into the image and converting the image back to RGB. Finally, the color was corrected with the Color Mechanic in PW pro.

Instrument:  12.5 inch f/5 Newtonian
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200
Film:  Kodak Supra 400
CCD Autoguider: ST4
Exposure:  2x45mins
Filters:  NONE
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing 6/10, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  20 C
Processing: Photoshop, PW Pro, Maxim DL.
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