IC443_BiColour_18-01-2023

IC443, Jellyfish Nebula. This is my 1st of 2 images taken between the 16th and 21st January, very unusual to get 3 out of 4 clear nights, it was actually clear on the 22nd as well but decided not to go out.

I also image this about a year ago using my Meade 115mm APO with the Same Explore 0.7 focal reducer but decided I wanted to retake this in a wide field, longer exposures and more of them. This was easily the most subs over the longest time I’ve ever undertaken, 8h 20min over 2 nights. I wasn’t planning to but I got a bonus night on the 21st and it was either start on a new subject or double the amount of subs on the jellyfish, I went with the latter.

 

Note:

I removed all the stars after the initial processing using StarNet++ and then added the combined Ha Oiii stars back in at the end.

 

IC443 also known as the “Jellyfish Nebula” is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini. It’s is approximately 5000 Light Years from earth with apparent size of 50’x40’ arcmin. This nebula contains the collapsed remnants of a stellar core and is one of the most studied supernova remnants. The age of this supernova is uncertain but is believed to have happened some 3,000 - 30,000 years ago.

 

EQUIPMENT:-

Telescope: Explore Scientific 102mm F7 APO Carbon

Focal Reducer: Explore Scientific 0.7

Mount: AZ-EQ6 GT

Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600mm-Cool cmos

Guide Camera: Orion Mini Auto Guide

Filter: Astronomik 6nm Ha

Filter: Astronomik 6nm Oiii

 

IMAGING DETAILS:-

IC443 Jellyfish Nebula (Gemini)

Gain 139 (Unit Gain)

Chip Temp Cooled to -20 degC

Dithering

50 Ha subs@300sec (4h 10min)

50 Oiii subs@300sec (4h 10min

Total imaging Time 8h 20min

20 Darks

25 Flats

 

PROCESSING/GUIDING SOFTWARE:-

APT "Astro Photograph Tools"

StarNet++

DSS

PS CS2

Done