COPYRIGHT, PLEASE NOTE

All the material on this website is copyrighted to J-P Metsavainio, if not otherwise stated. Any content on this website may not be reproduced without the author’s permission.

BUY A MUSEUM QUALITY POSTER

Thursday, November 20, 2025

New book with Sir Brian May is out!




 ISLANDS IN INFINITY, GALAXIES 3D



Buy a copy (UK store)
https://shop.londonstereo.com/islands-in-infinity-galaxies-3-d.html

You will be able to purchase the book directly from me as soon as the copies arrive here — in about two weeks or so. I’ll announce the opening of my online book shop both on social media and here.


From left to right: Prof. Ward-Thompson, Sir Brian May and yours truly

Our new book was published at the Museum of Brands in London on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
What a hectic and wonderful experience with the whole book team and a large, enthusiastic audience.

This is the first book in the world that lets readers see the real shapes of galaxies and galaxy groups in true 3D — a completely new way to understand cosmic structures.

VIDEO
Sir Brian May talks about how our collaboration began
Please, click the image to see the video

Video was taken at 2020, when out first book, Cosmic Clouds 3D was published


Photos and videos from the publication event in London, 13 November 2025


Location: Museum of Brands in London (Photo, J-P Peltoniemi)

Sir Brian May and J-P at front of media  (Photo, J-P Peltoniemi)



A photoshoot just before opening of the event


J-P and Sir Brian May



You can’t experience the photos in true 3D in this video the way the audience did during the live presentation.
Sorry about the image and audio quality — the lighting improves towards the end, during the audience questions.


ISLANDS IN INFINITY: GALAXIES 3-D 
by Brian May, Professor Derek Ward-Thompson, J-P Metsävainio,
published by The London Stereoscopic Company, 13 November 2025 https://shop.londonstereo.com
  

Islands in Infinity is the first book to explore galaxies in stereoscopic 3-D. Created by Brian May (PhD in Astronomy), Professor Derek Ward-Thompson (galaxy expert), and astro-photography master J-P Metsävainio, it offers a groundbreaking visual journey through the cosmos, accompanied by compelling narrative. 

Featuring more than 200 colour images from the world’s leading land- and space-based telescopes, along with over 80 original artworks, Islands in Infinity delivers a breathtaking 3-D introduction to the formation, nature, evolution, and classification of some of the 200 billion galaxies that fill the observable Universe. The use of stereoscopic technology allows us to see deeper into galaxies and gain insights never before possible.

Readers are taken on an extraordinary voyage through the weird and wonderful shapes of colliding and merging galaxies, witnessing their chaotic transformations. Moving toward the edge of the visible Universe, the book explores how galaxies gather in clusters and superclusters, looking outward—and back in time—toward the dawn of the cosmos and the Big Bang itself.

Each copy comes complete with a Lite OWL Stereoscopic Viewer, designed by Brian May which will bring the images to life in the magic of 3-D. 

Sir Brian May says - For the very first time, readers will be able to enjoy stereoscopic renderings of galaxies previously only seen as flat ‘mono’ images.  And this, coupled with a text from one of the world’s experts on the evolution of galaxies, will give a uniquely new insight into the Universe as it is now perceived.   Moreover, it’s an account understandable and enjoyable by anyone interested in the biggest subject in the Universe - not just astro experts. It will be a gripping read !! 

Professor Ward-Thompson says - In this book you will, I hope, find everything you need to understand what galaxies are, how they originated, how they have evolved into many different types of galaxy, and how they interact and give birth to everything we experience on our tiny blue planet inside our Solar System, itself inside our very own Galaxy, the Milky Way.

J-P Metsävainio says - I undertook a major but deeply rewarding task: converting a vast number of galaxies into 3D stereo while ensuring that every detail remained as scientifically accurate as possible. It was truly thrilling to watch these complex structures come to life before my eyes as I saw them in three dimensions for the first time. Galaxy clusters revealed their true nature, with accurate relative distances, and delicate dust lanes appearing to float in front of the galactic discs. I felt as if I were holding the universe in my hands — and I hope readers will share that same eye-opening experience through the pages of this book.













Monday, November 3, 2025

Something new. astronomical 3d-sculpures

I have been an astrophotographer for about thirty years, and for almost as long, I have been converting my photographs into various three-dimensional formats. My 3D images and animations are always based on real astronomical data. The result is an approximation of reality — never a guesswork creation.

I haven’t often published my 3D studies in my blog or on social media, since they usually require a special viewing method, such as Red/Cyan glasses, special viewing methods or stereoscopic displays, to be properly experienced.

Now I have begun working on a new series of physical artworks, where I transform my photographs into tangible 3D forms. In these pieces, viewers can perceive cosmic structures at a glance — the relative distances between stars and galaxies are represented as accurately as possible. It’s like sculpting on a cosmic scale.

Here are a few examples of my first prototypes. I’m using new and intriguing materials to manipulate light — to both reveal and conceal. I am especially fascinated by the idea of large, room-sized cosmic landscapes where the viewer can literally walk into space.

Videos offer some sense of my work, but in real life, even my smallest sculptures contain a sense of infinity. That’s difficult to capture in video, yet it’s there — quietly unfolding before the eyes.


Messier 13, a Globular Cluster
Every star in this 3D-sculpture is from my original photo of M13



Messier 81 galaxy




Cat's Eye Nebula





Jones 1 Planetary Nebula







Sunday, October 26, 2025

ICARUS, a two frame vertical panorama

In this image, I have combined my new shot of the Witch’s Broom Nebula with my recent photo ICARUS, the Final Flight to form a two-frame mosaic. I love discovering fresh compositions from well-known targets — in this case, the beautiful Veil Nebula supernova remnant.


A dramatic view to the Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant
Click for a large image, 1500 x 3600 pixels

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. The resolution of the photo is reduced for the web usage. 
Original photo has dimensions of 5500x12000 pixels.

Orientation in the Veil Nebula
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels

The Veil Nebula supernova remnant in constellation Cygnus.
The area of interest is marked as a white rectangle

Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 43h
H-alpha, 9 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 16 h 
O-III, 9x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 16h
S-II, 9x 1200 s. binned 1x1 = 11h 


 

Friday, October 24, 2025

ICARUS, the final flight

My latest photo shows a small portion of the Veil Nebula supernova remnant in Cygnus. I have wanted to photograph this tiny, knot-like object for a long time, making it the main character of the composition. I couldn’t find any catalog number for this object — if someone knows it, please drop a comment and I’ll add it here.

After I stacked all the data and saw the full-resolution image for the first time, I had the strange feeling that I had seen this composition before. A moment later I realised what it reminded me of — an old painting of Icarus from Greek mythology.



ICARUS
Click for a large image, 1600 x 2000 pixels

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. The resolution of the photo is reduced for the web usage.


This is how I saw it in my head



ICARUS, a full scale closeup
Click for a large image, 1600 x 2000 pixels




ICARUS, orientation in the Veil Nebula
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels

The Veil Nebula supernova remnant in constellation Cygnus.
The area of interest is marked as a white rectangle

Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 9h
H-alpha, 9 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 3 h 
O-III, 9x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 3h
S-II, 9x 1200 s. binned 1x1 = 3h 






Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Western Veil nebula, the Witch's Broom

This is my first-light image for the autumn season 2025.
I collected a total of 34 hours of exposure time over a period of about two months for this two-frame mosaic. The seeing conditions were relatively good for my location, with FWHM values ranging between 1.6 and 2.5 throughout the sessions.

Witch's Broom Nebula
Click for a large image, 3500 x 1800 pixels

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. The resolution of the photo is reduced for the web usage.


A full resolution closeup
Click for a large image, 3500 x 1800 pixels


Witch's Broom Nebula, O-III emission alone
Click for a large image, 3500 x 1800 pixels




Witch's Broom Nebula, visual palette
Click for a large image, 3500 x 1800 pixels

The emission from H-alpha and S-II are seen as red, blueish tones are from an emission of ionized oxygen, O-III. This combination is very close to a visual colors of the nebula.

Orientation

The Veil Nebula supernova remnant in constellation Cygnus.
The area of interest is marked as a white rectangle

 
Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 34h
H-alpha, 72 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 13 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 13 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 1x1 = 8h 






Tuesday, August 12, 2025

An artwork for the Art Museum of Oulu

While waiting to get back to imaging, I completed an artwork commissioned by the Art Museum of Oulu.
This is part of the Art Cabinet project, and I was given complete freedom to fill the cabinet with my art.

The cabinet measures 120 × 110 × 65 cm and has two doors in the front and one on the top.
My idea was to evoke a sense of infinity when the doors are opened. To achieve this, I used the blackest paint in the world—Vantablack. I have photographed galaxies over the past 30 years, and I decided to use them to create a 3D representation of infinity.

Here are a couple of pictures, but the video will best show how successful I was.





The Video




Tuesday, April 22, 2025

A Planetary Nebula Purgathofer-Weinberger 1 (PuWe1) is the Last Photo for Now

PuWe 1 is one of the largest and faintest planetary nebula known to exist. The nebula was created when a red giant star blew off its outer layers near the end of its life. The gas is energized by the remaining core of the star, which is called a white dwarf. However it is very faint due to its large size. As planetary nebulae expand they become fainter because the gas moves further from the white dwarf that energizes it. (Text credit, NOIRLab)

I spent total 36 hours of collecting 20 min. exposures for this cosmic smoke ring with narrowband filters, H-alpha, S-II and O-III. PuWe1 locates in constellation lynx at distance of about 1300 light years.

This is my last new photo for the imaging season 2024-25,  we ran out of the astronomical darkens at May 7. Deep sky imaging is possible again after the first week of September. up here 65N


PuWe1

Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels


A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 6500 x 6500 pixels

A Closeup

Click for a large image, 1600 x 1600 pixels


Two galaxies are visible at edge of the nebula at middle of the photo


Image in visual colors

Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels


The emission from H-alpha and S-II are seen as red, blueish tones are from an emission of ionized oxygen, O-III. This combination is very close to a visual colors of the nebula.


A size comparison between M27 and PuWe1 

Click for a large image, 2000 x 2300 pixels


Note, a size of the Full Moon is marked as a white circle as a scale.
The apparent size of the Full Moon in the sky is 30 arc minutes (0,5 degrees)

Technical details


Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 36h
H-alpha, 72 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 24 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 6h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 6h 





Saturday, April 19, 2025

Soul Nebula, a Two Frame Panorama

 I published yesterday a detail picture of the Soul nebula, IC 1848.  Earlier this year I shot another long focal length photo of the IC 1848, those two photos are overlapping so I was able to make a two frame mosaic out of them, total exposure time 30h


Soul Nebula, a Two Frame Panoramic Mosaic Image

Click for a large image, 2800 x 1700 pixels

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 8500 x 5000 pixels


The Soul Nebula, a Wider Filed Shot

Click for a large image, 3000 x 1700 pixels




Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 30h
H-alpha, 75 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 25 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 5h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 5h 

Friday, April 18, 2025

Part of the Soul Nebula

 Soul nebula, IC 1848, has been my target many times during the years. This time I have shot some details of the nebula with my current long focal length imaging system.


A Detail of Soul Nebula

Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels


A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 6500 x 6500 pixels



The Soul Nebula

Click for a large image, 3000 x 1700 pixels





Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 9h
H-alpha, 51 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 5 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h 

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Sharpless 155, the Cave Nebula

This is one of the targets I’ve been imaging for decades using various equipment—from camera lenses (150–300mm) to large reflecting telescopes ranging from 11" to 14". (My older photos can be seen at end of this blog post)

This time, I used new imaging setup to capture a high-resolution image of Sh2-155.
The seeing conditions weren’t ideal, but I’m fairly happy with the results.




Sharpless 155 (Sh2-155), the Cave Nebula

Click for a large image, 2000 x 1900 pixels

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 6500 x 5500 pixels




Sharpless 155 in Visual Palette

Click for a large image, 2000 x 1900 pixels

Visual color version of Sh2-155 glows mostly in red from a light emitted by an ionized elements,
sulfur=red, hydrogen=red and oxygen=blue, this combination is very close to a natural color palette.




Info

Sh2-155—also known as Caldwell 9, Sharpless 155, S155, or LBN 529—is a diffuse nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. It lies within a larger nebula complex that includes emission, reflection, and dark nebulosity. It’s widely known as the Cave Nebula. (Note: The reflection component is not visible in my narrowband image.)

The nebula is approximately 2,400 light-years away. This photo covers an area of about 0.7 × 0.7 degrees of the sky—for reference, the full Moon has a diameter of 0.5 degrees, or 30 arcminutes.




Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 21h
H-alpha, 51 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 17 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h 










Tuesday, April 8, 2025

A two Frame Panorama of IC 1805, the Heart Nebula

I just published an image of the unnamed pillar-like formation inside the Heart Nebula.
I've created a two-frame mosaic from the new photo, showing its relation to Melotte 15 at the center of the Heart Nebula.

As is usually the case, these pillar-like formations point toward the source of ionization. When radiation pressure (solar wind) push gas and dust away from a newborn star cluster, denser regions of gas can resist this force and begin to collapse. This process leads to the formation of the pillar-like structures. The tips of these pillars can become the birthplace of a second generation of stars within the nebula.


A Hidden Pillar and Melotte 15 in IC 1805, the Heart Nebula


Click for a large image, 3000 x 1700 pixels.


A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 12.000 x 6500 pixels

Area in Large Content

Click for a large image, 2500 x 3200 pixels.



Photos used for this panorama

Melotte 15


Technical Details and other info can be seen in this blog post


Unnamed Pillar Formation


Technical Details and other info can be seen in this blog post





Strange Pillar like Formation in IC 1805, The Heart Nebula

This is an object in the Heart Nebula that I have captured from time to time. My previous photo was taken in 2012.
This new photo reveals more details, even though the exposure time for H-alpha light was only 5 hours.

The pillar-like formations are typically pointing toward a source of ionization, in this case, the more famous Melotte 15.

I haven't been able to find a name for this beautiful object


A Hidden Pillar in IC 1805, the Heart Nebula


Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels.


A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue. Original resolution 6500 x 6500 pixels


A close up

Click for a full size detail, 1600 x 1600 pixels.




Orientation in IC 1805

Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels.




Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 9h
H-alpha, 15 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 5 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h 





Sunday, March 30, 2025

A Fossil Footprint Nebula, NGC 1491

 I have shot this emission nebula in Perseus several times during the years and every time felt that I got more out of it.

I have wide field and mosaic images including the NGC 1491 as well as longer focal length photos with various reflecting telescopes. Some of them are included in the blog post as an example



NGC 1491, the Fossil Footprint Nebula
Click for a large image, 1800 x 2000 pixels

In Visual Colors

Photo in visual palette from the emission of an ionized elements


In Mapped Colors

A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, 
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue



A Closeup






INFO

NGC 1491, also known as LBN 704, SH2-206 or the Fossil Footprint Nebula, is an emission type bright nebula located about 9,800 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Perseus. The nebula gets its deep red coloration due to many massive stars (such as BD+50 866) embedded within NGC 1491 producing large amounts of ultraviolet radiation ionizing the elements in Nebula and making them glow light that can be seen in this image




Wide Field shots of the Area
Click for a much large image


Area of interest is marked as a white rectangle



Wider view
Click for a much large image

Area of interest is marked as a white rectangle




Older Long Focal Length Photos of NGC 1491

2015
Blog post with technical details HERE


2013
Blog post with technical details HERE




Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 12h
H-alpha, 24 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 8 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h 

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Soul Nebula, IC1848

This is a new photo of this beautiful emission area in Cassiopeia. I'm using a long focal length telescope, Celestron EDGE HD 14" at the moment for a high resolution imaging work. This tool together with a second hand Apogee Alta U 9000M camera with a 12 micron pixels delivers deep images with lots of details.


Detail of my Soul
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels


A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements, 
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue



A Closeup
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2300 pixels






Soul nebula from 2014





A wide field mosaic image of the Milky Way
Click for a large image, 4600 x 2000 pixels

Hearth and Soul Nebulae at upper right corner


INFO

Soul Nebula, (Sh2-199, LBN 667) is an emission nebula in constellation Cassiopeia. IC 1848 is a cluster inside Soul Nebula. Distance is about 7.500 light years. This complex is a Eastern neighbor of IC 1805, the "Heart Nebula" and they are often mentioned together as Heart and Soul.



An alternative framing
Click for a large image, 2000 x 1600 pixels

This alternative framing shows the area more dynamic way





Technical details

Processing workflow

Image acquisition, MaximDL v6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PS
Levels and curves in PS

Imaging optics, 
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer

Mount, 
MesuMount Mark II

Cameras, 
Imaging camera Apogee Alta U9000M and Apogee seven slot filter wheel
Guider camera, Lodestar x 2 and SXV-AO Active Optics @ 5hz

filters, 
Astrodon 5nm H-alpha, 3nm S-II and 3nm O-III

Total exposure time 12h
H-alpha, 24 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 8 h 
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h 
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h