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Will DBE Help With This Gradient?

Nick KohrnNick Kohrn
in PixInsight
Recently, I completed the FastTrack course and moved on to the Fundamentals course. I just finished the DynamicBackgroundExtraction section, and it made me wonder if that process is what I should use to correct the gradient in the attached image of M42.

Unfortunately, it was shot when the moon was in its waxing crescent phase and quite close to the target during a short timeframe of clear weather. As you can see, there is a gradient, which seems to be circular but heavier on the trailing edge. I tried using symmetries to work on the circular gradient, but I just couldn't get any results that were acceptable.

Is DBE the correct tool for reducing the gradient?
M42.jpeg
5202 x 3464 - 4M

Comments

  • BlockHeadBlockHead
    Hi Nick,

    Yes, DBE is your best hope- but ultimately getting good initial data is better than any post-processing could hope to do. I am surprised the flat field image didn't do more- if it did, DBE would have less heavy lifting to do...and give you a better result.

    -the Blockhead
  • Nick KohrnNick Kohrn
    Hey Adam,

    Thanks for your response. I had a feeling that the data would be difficult to fix. Unfortunately, I don't yet have the knowledge and skills to make it even a little better. It's my first-ever image of an intended target, so I am still happy with my results, but it proved to be a good lesson regarding the extent to which the moon can affect the data. I will certainly aim for better data acquisitions in the future.
  • BlockHeadBlockHead
    Oh yes... the moon is a trouble maker. Not only does it brighten the sky..but the sky is BLUE! So scattered moonlight creates color issues too!

    -the Blockhead
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