DWB 111, Propeller Nebula


Click for higher resolution: medium resolution (1440 x 1091 pixels)
  • Exposure time: 3 hours, 40 minutes (20 min. sub-exposures)
  • Lens/telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106ED (4.2") quadruplet ED refractor at f/5
  • Image scale: 2.10 arcseconds per pixel, FOV 116.3' x 87.6' (F = 530 mm at 5.4 micron pixels)
  • Camera: SBIG ST-8300M (T: -20 degrees Celsius) with Baader H-alpha 7 nm narrowband filter
  • Mount: Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO (guide rate: 1x, PEM activated)
  • Guiding: TS OAG + SX Lodestar + PHD
  • SQM: - (not measured)
  • Location: Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
  • Date: June 3 - 2, 2011
Workflow

Image acquisition:
  • Capturing 11 light frames of 1200s
Pre-processing in Nebulosity (v2.3.5), RegiStar (1.0.7) and Sigma Beta 10:
  • Pre-processing the light frames with a master bias frame (from library) in Nebulosity
  • Aligning (registering) the pre-processed light frames in RegiStar
  • Stacking the individually saved registered files with "Standard Deviation Masking" algorithm in Sigma Beta 10
  • Trimming the dark edges by making a crop in Nebulosity
  • Applying the "Digital Development Processing (DDP)" tool
Post-processing in Photoshop (CS4):
  • Adjusting levels and curves in order to get a smooth and proper histogram and as much dynamic range as possible without clipping
  • Applying "GradientXTerminator" filter
  • Applying Astronomy Tools v1.6 "Local Contrast Enhancement" action
Finishing touches in Nebulosity (v2.3.5):
  • Sharpening image with "Tighten Star Edges"

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE THUMBNAIL PAGE