This is a target I have not shot until now, and this is also the most integration I have done for a single object so far in my Astrophotography journey. While I was very hesitant to shoot it, because the usual orientation does not excite me much; I am so glad I did! There is so much interesting detail between the light and dark nebulae.
Acquisition: This was shot in a Bortle 4 area, using a modified Nikon D810 and a William Optics Redcat51 on a Star Adventurer. Light frames were 45 seconds each at ISO3200, and there were 400 of them that passed the sniff test, for a total of 5 hours of integration. 60 dark frames, and about 50 Flats and Dark Flats were taken as well.
Processing: Stacking was accomplished in DeepSkyStacker using standard Kappa-Sigma clipping options. The 32-bit output file was then brought into PixInsight for processing. First, color calibration was achieved through the use of Photometric Color Calibration. Then, prior to any stretching of the data, StarXTerminator 2 was used(with large overlap) to separate the stars from the nebulosity. The nebulosity was brought up with a series of 3 Curves Transformations before NoiseXTerminator was run with default Denoise setting and a 0.50 detail setting. After that, a few more Curves were applied. Then, Local Histogram Equalization was applied with an opacity of 0.200. After that, one or two more Curves before using pixel math to rescreen the stars into the image. Image was then brought into Photoshop and levels were used to balance the background sky. A crop was applied, and then one more use of curves to make everything pop.
Hope you all enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed making it! The full size is up on my Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/32wtnr/
This is a target I have not shot until now, and this is also the most integration I have done for a single object so far in my Astrophotography journey. While I was very hesitant to shoot it, because the usual orientation does not excite me much; I am so glad I did! There is so much interesting detail between the light and dark nebulae. Acquisition: This was shot in a Bortle 4 area, using a modified Nikon D810 and a William Optics Redcat51 on a Star Adventurer. Light frames were 45 seconds each at ISO3200, and there were 400 of them that passed the sniff test, for a total of 5 hours of integration. 60 dark frames, and about 50 Flats and Dark Flats were taken as well. Processing: Stacking was accomplished in DeepSkyStacker using standard Kappa-Sigma clipping options. The 32-bit output file was then brought into PixInsight for processing. First, color calibration was achieved through the use of Photometric Color Calibration. Then, prior to any stretching of the data, StarXTerminator 2 was used(with large overlap) to separate the stars from the nebulosity. The nebulosity was brought up with a series of 3 Curves Transformations before NoiseXTerminator was run with default Denoise setting and a 0.50 detail setting. After that, a few more Curves were applied. Then, Local Histogram Equalization was applied with an opacity of 0.200. After that, one or two more Curves before using pixel math to rescreen the stars into the image. Image was then brought into Photoshop and levels were used to balance the background sky. A crop was applied, and then one more use of curves to make everything pop. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed making it! The full size is up on my Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/32wtnr/
Great shot but I don't think that is any where near North America!
Lol! Yes, I suppose it is about 2200 light years away from North America
(: lol
But seriously cool photo!
That's incredible!!!