Showing posts with label Narrowband color images. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Narrowband color images. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2025
The last new photo for the year 2025, Sh2-114
This is my final image of the year 2025: The Flying Dragon Nebula, Sharpless 114 (Sh2-114).
Captured with my new 14" Celestron Edge telescope, equipped with a 0.7× reducer and an Apogee ALTA U9000M camera with 12-micron pixels, the system is perfectly matched to my typical seeing conditions. It delivers a resolution of 0.92 arcseconds per pixel.
This image is a good example of how deep I can reach with a relatively modest total exposure time. The target is not an easy one due to its extremely low surface brightness. The total exposure time was 42 hours in H-alpha and 8 hours in O-III.
Seeing conditions were good for most of the time, varying between 1.5 and 2.2 arcseconds FWHM. The data were collected between September and November 2025.
As an interesting bonus, Kn 26, a rare quadrupolar planetary nebula, appears at the far right edge of the image field.
The Flying Dragon, Sharpless 114, and
a Quadrupolar Planetary Nebula
Please, click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
The red emission originates from hydrogen (H-alpha), while the bluish tones are produced by ionised oxygen (O III). This colour combination closely represents the nebula’s natural visual appearance.
Note: Kn 26, a rare quadrupolar planetary nebula, is marked with a white ring at the far right edge of the image.
A Closeup
Please, click for a large image
Kn26, a Quadrupolar Planetary Nebula
This rare type of planetary nebula was a welcome bonus in my image.More information about this object can be found in a paper published in 2013:
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/pdf/2013/03/aa20592-12.pdf
The Flying Dragon in H-alpha emission only
Please, click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
Please, click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
42 hours of H-alpha light
A Closeup
Please, click for a large image
Please, click for a large image
The Flying Dragon with and without stars
Please, click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
Please, click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
INFO
Sh2-114 is a complex and unusual HII emission nebula. Its complex, wispy structure is likely the result of winds from hot, massive stars interacting with the magnetic fields in the interstellar medium. But very little is known about it. (Source, https://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im1112.html)
There is a planetary nebula at the same field of view, Lan 384 (Kn 26)
Using existing digital sky surveys, Jacoby et al. (2010) presented Kn 26, a bipolar PN candidate known for a long time as the emission line source Lan 384. Here we present high spatial-resolution optical and near-IR narrow-band images of this nebula, high-dispersion long-slit echelle spectra, and low-resolution spectroscopy. The new data confirm the PN nature of Kn 26 and reveal features typical of bipolar PNe: butterfly morphology, H2 emission, and nitrogen enrichment. A detailed analysis of the morphology and kinematics, however, suggests the possible presence of two pairs of bipolar lobes that would make Kn 26 a new member of the class of quadrupolar PN.
Orientation in the Sky
Please, click for a large image, 2500x3200 pixels
More information about this extensive mosaic can be found here:
https://astroanarchy.blogspot.com/2022/01/cygnus-mosaic-in-visual-colors.html
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 and 3nm O-III
Total exposure time 50h
H-alpha, 126 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 42 h
O-III, 24x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 8
O-III, 24x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 8
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
Click for a large image, 1500 x 3600 pixels
Original photo has dimensions of 5500x12000 pixels.
Orientation in the Veil Nebula
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels
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
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
This is how I saw it in my head
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
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
Click for a large image, 1600 x 2000 pixels
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2500 pixels
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
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 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
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 13
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 1x1 = 8h
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 pixelsA 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
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Soul Nebula, IC1848
Detail of my Soul
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels
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
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
Click for a large image, 4600 x 2000 pixels
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
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
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h
Monday, March 24, 2025
Melotte 15 in heart nebula, IC 1805
I shot material for this new photo back in February, 10 hours of exposures total for three narrowband color channels. (H-alpha, O-III and S-II)
MELOTTE 15
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 2000 pixels
Click for a large image, 2000 x 2000 pixels
Melotte 15 in the Heart Nebula
Click for a large image, 2500 x 3200 pixels
Click for a large image, 2500 x 3200 pixels
A very large high resolution mosaic photo of IC 1805
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 10h
H-alpha, 18 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 6 h
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h
O-III, 6x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 2h
S-II, 6 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 2h
Monday, March 17, 2025
HFG1, a Planetary Nebula in Cassiopeia
I managed to get 17 hours of H-alpha light for the HFG1 and now I'm able to do color photo out of it.
This is a difficult target, very diffused and large, I tried to keep my processing kind of modest to bring out delectate nature of an old and dim planetary Nebula.
Total exposure time is 37 hours and signal wasn't the best possible but I'm happy with this result.
HFG1 (Heckathorn-Fesen-Gull 1)
Click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
A bicolor image, the light from an ionized oxygen, O-III can be seen as blueish hues, light from an ionized hydrogen, H-alpha, emits deep red light.
Closeup
HFG1 in O-III light only
Click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
HFG1 in the light emitted by an ionized oxygen, O-III
INFO
Planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. The name of planetary nebulae originated in the 18th century due to the visual similarity between some circular planetary nebulae and the planets Uranus and Neptune when viewed through small optical telescopes, the name has remained although they are not planets.
HFG1 was created by the central star V664 Cas. This is not a single star, but a dense binary star system consisting of a white dwarf and a sun-like star, which are only a few million kilometers apart and orbit every 14 hours.
Because the binary system V664 Cas moves very fast at 29 to 59 kilometers per second and ploughs through the interstellar medium together with the nebula, a bluish arc shock occurs. HFG1 leaves behind a long, red trace of approx. 10,000 year old gas.
Technical details
Processing workflow
Image acquisition, MaximDL 6.5
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PotoShop
Levels and curves in PotoShop.
Imaging optics,
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer
Mount,
Mesu Mount 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
O-III, 60 x 1200 s = 20h
H-alpha, 51 x 1200 s = 17h
H-alpha, 51 x 1200 s = 17h
Saturday, March 8, 2025
NGC 281, a New Revision
I made a new composition out of my new NGC 281 material, the original composition and technical details can be seen here: https://astroanarchy.blogspot.com/2025/01/new-photo-of-ngc-281.html
This new poster format composition brings out the dynamic nature of this target better.
NGC 281
Click for a large image, 2000x2600 pixels
Click for a large image, 2000x2600 pixels
A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements,
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue
A Closeup
Thursday, March 6, 2025
A Very Deep View to my Soul, IC1848
This is a new photo of the Soul Nebula in Cassiopeia.
A total of 20 hours of H-alpha exposure, along with 6 hours of S-II and O-III combined, allows me to capture intricate details of this relatively bright astronomical cloud of gas and dust.
A Detail of IC1848, the Soul Nebula
Click for a large image, 2100x2300 pixels
Click for a large image, 2100x2300 pixels
A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements,
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue
Full Resolution Details
Click for a full size, 2100x2300 pixels
Click for a full size, 2100x2300 pixels
Pillar like formations are pointing to a open cluster IC1848
Older photos of the Soul Nebula
Technical details
Processing workflow
Image acquisition, MaximDL v5.07.
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, 60 x 1200 s, binned 1x1 = 20 h
O-III,21x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 3h
O-III,21x 1200 s, binned 2x2 = 3h
S-II, 15 x 1200 s. binned 2x2 = 3h
A single calibrated 20 min exposure of H-alpha, Bin 1x1
Click for a full size image.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
HFG1, a Challenging Planetary in Cassiopeia
I have planning to shoot this dim, diffused and large planetary nebula for a long time. The imaging season up here 65N is over in few weeks since we'll loose astronomical darkness for six months due to high latitude.
So far I have collected about 20 hours of exposures of light emitted by a triple ionized oxygen, O-III
I think it's very beautiful as it now but I'll add H-alpha light when ever weather allows.
HFG1
Click for a large image, 2000x2000 pixels
HFG1 in O-III light only
Technical details
Processing workflow
Image acquisition, MaximDL 6
Stacked and calibrated in CCDStack2.
Deconvolution with a CCDStack2 Positive Constraint, 27 iterations, added at 50% weight
Color combine in PotoShop
Levels and curves in PotoShop.
Imaging optics,
Celestron EDGE 14" with 0.7 Focal reducer
Mount,
Mesu Mount 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
O-III, 60 x 1200 s = 20h
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Pickering's Triangle, Resurrection
This is not exactly a new image of Pickering's Triangle, but it is a completely new revision of it. I have photographed this complex-looking region of the Veil Nebula supernova remnant in Cygnus multiple times over the decades. In this latest revision, I have gathered all my exposures of the target and combined them into a new, most detailed version yet.
PICKERING'S TRIANGLE RESURRECTION
Click for a full size, 2700x2300 pixels
A mapped color image from a light emitted by an ionized elements,
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue
sulfur=red, hydrogen=green and oxygen=blue
A Full Resolution Detail
Click for a full size, 2000x2000 pixels
Click for a full size, 2000x2000 pixels
Pickering's Triangle in Visual Colors
Click for a full size, 2000x2000 pixels
Visual color version of Sh2-115 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
Pickering's Triangle in a Large Context
Click for a full size, 2500x2500 pixels
Pickering's Triangle even a Large Context in Cygnus
Click for a full size, 4000x5000 pixels (27Mb)
This massive mosaic, composed of over 300 panels and around 700 hours of exposure time, showcases the entire constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. The Veil Nebula supernova remnant, including Pickering's Triangle, is visible in the lower right area, slightly off-center. Additionally, two more supernova remnants appear in the image: G65.2+5.7 SNR in the upper right corner and W63, located slightly left of center, seen as a bluish ring formation.Link to the my blog post about this massive photo:
https://astroanarchy.blogspot.com/2021/12/cygnus-mosaic-gets-large.html
Technical Info
This new revision of Pickering's Triangle has a cumulative exposure time of approximately 70 hours. I have compiled all the long focal length data I captured over the years into this single deep image. Various optical configurations and focal lengths were used during this time.
Some of the data was captured using my old MEADE LX200 GPS with a 0.63 focal reducer, a QHY9 camera, and a Baader narrowband filter set. Data from 2015 to 2023 was acquired with a Celestron EDGE HD 11" telescope, an Apogee Alta U16 camera, and an Astrodon narrowband filter set. The most recent data, captured in 2024, was taken with a Celestron EDGE HD 14" telescope, an Apogee Alta U9000M camera, and an Astrodon narrowband filter set. There is also some dimm background data shot with Tokina AT-x 300mm f2.8 camera optics.
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