Controlling star bloat

Hi Adam

I took 22 hrs of NB data to get this Bubble N.  My skies are a challenge with nights of below average/average seeing & transparency but I cannot fix that.  So, this is about the best I can get as far as the nebulosity on my C11" EdgeHD with the ASI6200MM Pro.  The obvious issue here is that the larger stars are bloated.  My questions is:  What would be the best approach to control the bloating? 

Bruce
image

Comments

  • Personally I do not see a big issue here...but it is a matter of taste.
    If you look at the recent image I created with NGC 6727, I had to handle this kind of thing:


    At some point in processing you have a linear version of your color image. 
    The technique I used is make a copy and make a starless image from it (StarExterminator). Then I stretch the original image *less* then I normally would up to the point the stars are "not bloated." 
    Then I more aggressively stretch the starless version. Finally I blend the two images together.

    -the Blockhead
  • Got it......thanks so much for the feedback and suggestions.
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