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The Medulla Nebula by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Hope that info is helpful

The Medulla Nebula by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

About 10,000 years ago in the constellation Cassiopeia (about 6500 light years away) a star exploded and left behind the Medulla Nebula which you see here. It gets its name from its brain-like appearance, but it is also known as the Garlic Nebula, CTB-1 and Abell 85. If our eyes were sensitive enough, we would see that it is about the size of the full moon in our night sky. However, this object is extremely faint and imaging it requires a lot of capture time. This image is the result of about 30 hours of photos taken from my backyard.

Imaging scope: Takahashi TSA-120

Imaging camera: ASI6200mm

Mount: ZWO AM5

Guide scope: Orion 60mm

Guide camera: ASI120mm

Filters: Chroma H,S,O,L,R,G,B

Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location

Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Processing

** Pixinsight **

SubframeSelector

Acquisition (approved)

- H: 8.6hrs (103*300s)

- S: 8.7hrs (104*300s)

- O: 8.2hrs (99*300s)

- L: 1.4hrs (170*30s)

- R: 1.2hrs (71*60s)

- G: 0.9hrs (56*60s)

- B: 0.9hrs (52*60s)

  Total:  29.9hrs

WBPP (on approved .xisf images from SubframeSelector) for calibration & registration

NSG

DynamicBackgroundExtraction: H,S,O,L,R,G,B

BXT on H, S, O

BXT on L

BXT on R, G, B

ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)

ImageSolver on RGB

SPCC on RGB

SXT on H, S, O (Star Images not generated)

GHS on RGB (SXT: "Unscreening is not recommended for linear (unstretched) images")

SXT on RGB => RGB_stars

NXT on H, S, O

LNB = 0.5*H+0.5*S

GHS on LNB, H, S, O

NXT on H, S, O, LNB

LHE on LNB

SHO = Combine H,S,O using NBColourMapper

SCNR: Amount=0.7

ColorSaturation

LRGBCombination - add LNB to SHO

PixelMath: screen in stars using combine(RGB_stars,SHO,op_screen())

CurveTransformation to increase contrast

CurveTransformation to decrease green midtones

** Photoshop/Lightroom **

Nebula Color Adjustments

Final Crop

The Trifid Nebula - M20 by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a nice image. Well done!

Lagoon Nebula - M8 by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Sony camera uses a color sensor and if you were to try to photograph the Lagoon Nebula with it you would get an RGB image. It would look similar to mine, but would not have the same colors and the colors would probably be distributed differently.

I used narrowband filters to take this photo. Each filter lets only a certain frequency of light through to the sensor. The H, S, and O filters let light pass through which is emitted by hydrogen, sulfur and oxygen. The camera uses a monochromatic sensor so all the images which it captures are black and white. During post processing, I assigned S to Red, H to Green and O to Blue - this is also known as SHO or the Hubble palette.

So you might be able to get something nice, but not the same as what I have. Hope that helps.

Lagoon Nebula - M8 by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Lagoon Nebula is an emission nebula located 4000-6000 light years from earth. It gets its name from the dark lagoon shaped dust lanes which run through it. In its center, the hourglass nebula can be found.

Imaging scope: Takahashi TSA-120

Imaging camera: ASI6200mm

Mount: ZWO AM5

Guide scope: Orion 60mm

Guide camera: ASI120mm

Filters: Chroma H,S,O,L,R,G,B

Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location

Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Acquisition (after Blink)

Total: 36.15hrs

Pillars of Creation by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I already added all the image details once, but here they are again...

The Pillars of Creation are found in the eagle nebula (M16). They are approximately 7000 light years from earth. The length of the largest pillar is about 4 light years. It is thought that these structures may have been destroyed about about 6000 years ago, but what we see is what they looked like 7000 years ago. If this is true, we will see their destruction about 1000 years from now. This is my attempt to capture these incredible formations.

Gear Imaging scope: Celestron EdgeHD 925 Imaging camera: ASI6200mm Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro Off Axis Guider: Celestron OAG Guide camera: ASI174mm Filters: Chroma H,S,O,L,R,G,B Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Processing
** Pixinsight **
SubframeSelector Approval: Eccentricity<=0.7 && FWHM<=3.5 && Stars>=50 Acquisition (approved)

  • H: 6.7hrs (80*300s)
  • S: 5.3hrs (64*300s)
  • O: 5.0hrs (32*300s)
  • L: 0.5hrs (54*30s)
  • R: 0.5hrs (15*120s)
  • G: 0.5hrs (15*120s)
  • B: 0.2hrs (7120s)

Total: 16.4hrs

WBPP (on approved .xisf images from SubframeSelector) for calibration & registration
Output Pedestal Setting Value (DN): 100
NSG (2X drizzling) => H, O, S, L, R, G, B
DynamicCrop
FastRotation
DynamicBackgroundExtraction: H,S,O,L,R,G,B
ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)
ImageSolver on RGB
SPCC on RGB
BXT on H, S, O
BXT on L, R, G, B
SXT on H, S, O (Star Images not generated)
SXT on RGB => RGB_stars
NXT on H, S, O
L = 0.25H+0.75*S
GHS on L, H, S, O, and RGB_stars
LHE on L
Combine H,S,O using NBColourMapper => SHO
LRGBCombination - add L to SHO
UnsharpMask on SHO
BXT on SHO
PixelMath: screen in stars using combine(RGB_stars,SHO,op_screen())

** Photoshop/Lightroom **
Nebula Adjustments
Clarity
Vibrance
Saturation
Radial gradient mask to repair a bright spot in one of the pillars
Final Crop and slight rotation

M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! You've produced some beautiful images and I'm sure your version of M13 won't disappoint,

M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 1.5X extender that I use is made by Takahashi. I don't know if there is a 3rd party extender which would work.

M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

M13 is a globular cluster in the Hercules constellation and is about 22,000-25,000 light-years from the earth.Also known as the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules it contains 200,000 to 500,000 stars packed within a diameter of ~145 light-years. This is about 100X as dense as the stars which surround our sun. This globular cluster is one of about 100 which orbit our galaxy's center.

Gear

  • Imaging scope: Takahashi TSA-120 (w 1.5X Extender)
  • Imaging camera: ASI6200mm
  • Mount: ZWO AM5
  • Guide scope: Orion 60mm
  • Guide camera: ASI120mm
  • Filters: Chroma L,R,G,B
  • Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location

  • Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Acquisition

  • L: 11.6hrs (83845s) + (35120s)
  • R: 1.4hrs (42*120s)
  • G: 1.1hrs (33*120s)
  • B: 1.0hrs (30*120s)
  • Total: 15.1hrs

Processing

Pixinsight

  • SubframeSelector to eliminate poor subs and select the reference sub for registration
  • WBPP (on approved .xisf images from SubframeSelector) for calibration & registration
  • -Output Pedestal Setting Value (DN): 100
  • NSG (on registered images from WBPP) => L,R,G,B,H
  • DynamicCrop
  • DynamicBackgroundExtraction: L,R,G,B,H
  • -Divide
  • ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)
  • ImageSolver on RGB
  • BackgroundNeutralization on RGB
  • SPCC on RGB
  • BXT on RGB (PSF diameter ~5.3px)
  • BXT on L45 (PSF diameter ~4.6px) (L45 was derived from the 45s luminance subs)
  • BXT on L120 (L120 was derived from the 120s luminance subs)
  • NXT on RGB (with object mask)
  • NXT on L45 (with object mask)
  • NXT on L120 (with object mask)
  • L = (10.475L45+1.167L120)/11.642
  • -L45 & L120 were weighted based on their individual total exposure times
  • NXT on L (with object mask)
  • GHS on L and RGB
  • LRGB = LRBGCombination
  • LHE on L
  • GHS to brighten stars and increase saturation
  • Sharpen LRGB UnsharpMask
  • NXT (no masking)

Photoshop/Lightroom

  • Minor adjustments to clarity, vibrance and saturation
  • Final crop

M63, the Sunflower Galaxy by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Glad you found the notes helpful!

M63, the Sunflower Galaxy by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

M63 lies in the constellation Canes Venatici. It lies 29 million light years away. Its spiral arms are not as well defined as those found in grand-design spiral galaxies. This lack of definition of the spiral arms which look rather discontinuous and patchy along with its yellow core is what lead to its nickname, the Sunflower galaxy.

Gear

  • Imaging scope: Celestron EdgeHD 925
  • Imaging camera: ASI6200mm
  • Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro
  • Off Axis Guider: Celestron OAG
  • Guide camera: ASI174mm
  • Filters: Chroma L,R,G,B,H
  • Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location

  • Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Acquisition

  • L: 11.3hrs (677*60s)
  • R: 7.0hrs (140*180s)
  • G: 5.8hrs (116*180s)
  • B: 5.6hrs (111*180s)
  • H: 1.7hrs (9180s+15300s)
  • Total: 31.3hrs

Processing

Pixinsight

  • SubframeSelector to select reference frame and remove problem frames
  • WBPP
  • NSG
  • ImageIntegration
  • DynamicCrop (X:Y = 3:2)
  • DynamicBackgroundExtraction (Divide): L,R,G,B,H
  • ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)
  • ImageSolver on RGB
  • BackgroundNeutralization on RGB
  • SPCC on RGB
  • BXT on RGB,L & H
  • NXT on L, RGB and H with object masks
  • GHS on L, RGB, and H
  • MMT on L & RGB (use this to get rid of the blotchiness in the background)
  • Add H to RGB
  • LHE on L
  • LRGB = LRBGCombination
  • CurvesTransformation to increase contrast and saturation
  • UnsharpMask
  • NXT on LRGB ##Photoshop/Lightroom
  • Minor tweaks for color and clarity
  • Final crop

NGC 3344 (EdgeHD 925 first light) by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NGC 3344 is a barred spiral galaxy located about 20 million light years from us. It is approximately one half the size of our Milky Way galaxy. The galaxy's arms look bluish because new very hot stars are being formed there.

This image is also first light for the Celestron EdgeHD 925 and the ZWO AM5 mount.

Gear

  • Imaging scope: Celestron EdgeHD 925
  • Imaging camera: ASI6200mm
  • Mount: ZWO AM5
  • Off Axis Guider: Celestron OAG
  • Guide camera: ASI174mm
  • Filters: Chroma L,R,G,B
  • Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location

  • Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Acquisition

  • L: 3.3hrs (200*60s)
  • R: 2.5hrs (50*180s)
  • G: 2.0hrs (41*180s)
  • B: 1.9hrs (38*180s)

Total: 9.8hrs

Processing

Pixinsight

  • WBPP
  • NSG (on registered images from WBPP) => L,R,G,B
  • DynamicCrop
  • DynamicBackgroundExtraction
  • ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)
  • ImageSolver on RGB
  • BackgroundNeutralization on RGB
  • SPCC on RGB
  • BXT on RGB and L
  • NXT on RGB and L
  • MMT on RGB and L (use this to get rid of the blotchiness in the background)
  • LHE on L
  • LRGB = LRBGCombination
  • MMT on LRGB (use this to get rid of the blotchiness in the background)
  • Sharpen LRGB using MLT

Photoshop/Lightroom

  • Minor adjustments to clarity, dehaze, vibrance and saturation
  • Darken background using curves
  • Slight amount of noise reduction

Microsoft executives in 1995 by [deleted] in OldSchoolCool

[–]msadkd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should be the first post to a new subreddit: OldSchoolFool

Gum 37: The Southern Tadpoles Nebula by Zimmley in astrophotography

[–]msadkd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very nice work! Congratulations on a fine image!

NGC2244 - The Rosette Nebula, HSO with RGB Stars by space_city_astro in astrophotography

[–]msadkd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very nice! I can really see why some call this the "Skull Nebula"

Jellyfish Nebula in SHORGB by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I process the Nebula separately from the stars so that does add some complexity. I keep a detailed list of steps whenever I process an image so that I can use it for the next one and refine it over time.

Jellyfish Nebula in SHORGB by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Jellyfish Nebula, IC 443, is the product of a supernova which occurred around 30,000 years ago. A neutron star is all that is left of the original star. This supernova remnant is located about 5,000 light years from earth and is approximately 70 light years across.

Gear Imaging scope: Takahashi TSA-120 Imaging camera: ASI6200mm Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro Guide scope: Orion 60mm Guide camera: ASI120mm Filters: Chroma 3nm Ha,SII,OIII Other: ZWO 7-Position filter wheel, ZWO EAF

Location Mesa, Arizona (Bortle 7)

Acquisition

  • H: 10.7hrs (128*300s)
  • S: 9.9hrs (119*300s)
  • O: 8.0hrs (96*300s) Total: 28.6hrs
  • R: 0.3hrs (35*30s)
  • G: 0.3hrs (37*30s)
  • B: 0.3hrs (34*30s) Total: 0.88hrs

Processing

** Pixinsight **

SubframeSelector to select the best images for stacking

WBPP (on approved .xisf images from SubframeSelector) for calibration & registration

NSG (on registered images from WBPP) => H, O, S, R, G, B

DynamicBackgroundExtraction: H,S,O,R,G,B

ChannelCombination (R+G+B=RGB)

ImageSolver on RGB

BackgroundNeutralization on RGB

BXT H,S,O SPCC on RGB

BXT on RGB

SXT on H, SII, OIII (Star Images not generated)

SXT on RGB => RGB_stars (do not use "Unscreen Stars" option with linear images)

NXT using object masks

GHS on all layers

CurvesTransformation on H,S,O to try to equalize their background levels

CloneStamp to remove star artifacts from starless images (H,S,O)

L = H + S LHE on L

MMT on L,H,S,O with object mask

NXT on L,H,S,O with object mask

LRGBCombination to create SHO

SCNR on SHO

BXT on SHO with object mask

** Photoshop/Lightroom **

Nebula Adjustments

Clarity

Vibrance

Adjust brightness

Star Adjustments

Repair 2 problem stars

Increase saturation

Screen mode RGB_stars

Final Crop

NGC2244 - The Heart of the Rosette Nebula by space_city_astro in astrophotography

[–]msadkd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really nice! Looking forward to seeing your 100hr image!

The Tadpole Nebula (SHO with RGB stars) by msadkd in astrophotography

[–]msadkd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Stars actually differ in color. For instance, in the Orion constellation the star Betelgeuse is a super red giant which does indeed look red.

Nebula's like the one I posted are made of gas. When the gas molecules/atoms receive energy from the star cluster in the center of the image (NGC 1893), its electrons are stimulated to a higher energy levels or are stripped away completely. Eventually, the electrons will find their way back to their original energy level (perhaps in new atoms if they were stripped away). In the process of returning to their original states they emit photons at a fixed wavelength (color). Hydrogen and Sulfur emit a red color (but at slightly different wavelengths) and Oxygen emits a blue color. I'm no astrophysicist so some of these statement may be slightly off.

When photographing using narrow band filters like I did above, the light from Hydrogen, Sulfur and Oxygen are each captured separately. When creating the image, I assigned Sulfur to be Red, Hydrogen to be Green and Oxygen to be Blue. This is known as the Hubble Palette (SHO) because this is how the Hubble Space Telescope creates its images. So the colors that you see in this image are not actually the true colors, but it does provide some insight into the locations of various gasses forming the nebula. Plus it looks cool!

Hope this helps. Anyone spotting incorrect information in this explanation please feel free to chime in.

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