SH2 64 and Dust in the Serpens Molecular Cloud

SH2-64 is an emission nebula located in the Serpens Molecular Cloud. Located about 1400 light years away, it is a massive star forming region. Due to the high density of the dust clouds, X-Ray, IR, and Radio observations are needed to see through the dust and observe the star forming processes happening within.

 

- Location: Remote Observatory (Bortle 1, SQM 21.99) near Fort Davis, TX

- Total Exposure Time: 16.65 Hours

 

Equipment:

- Scope: Esprit 100ED w/ 1x Flattener

- Imaging Camera: QHY 268M

- Filters: Chroma LRGB (36mm)

- Mount: Astro Physics Mach1GTO

- Guidescope: SVBony 50mm Guidescope

- Guide camera: ASI 120mm mini

- Focuser: Moonlite Nitecrawler WR35

- Accessories: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox v2, QHY Polemaster, Optec Alnitak Flip Flat

 

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Software:

- N.I.N.A for image acquisition, platesolving, and framing

- PHD2 for guiding

- PixInsight for processing

 

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Acquisition:

- L: 196 x 3m

- R: 49 x 3m

- G: 44 x 3m

- B: 44 x 3m

- All images at Gain 56, Offset 25 (Readout mode 1) and -5C sensor temperature

- 20 flats per filter

- Master Dark & Bias from Library

- Nights: 5/30, 5/31, 6/1, 6/6, 6/7/22

 

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Processing:

 

- BatchPreprocessing for calibration

- StarAlignment and ImageIntegration of all masters

 

RGB Processing (apply to each master):

- DynamicCrop

- DynamicBackgroundExtraction

- NoiseXterminator for linear NR

- StarAlign G and B masters to R

- ChannelCombination to combine into linear RGB image

- STF stretch to bring RGB to nonlinear

- ColorSaturation to selectively bump yellow and blue saturation

 

Lum Processing:

- DynamicCrop

- DynamicBackgroundExtraction

- NoiseXTerminator for linear NR

- GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch for initial stretch

- HistogramTransformation x3 for further stretch

- CurvesTransformation for contrast

 

Combine RGB and Luminance:

- StarAlign RGB to Luminance

- LRGBCombination with chrominance NR enabled

- NoiseXTerminator for slight luminance noise reduction

- ColorSaturation to boost the red in SH2 64

- Slight UnsharpMask via inverted luminance mask for sharpening

- CurvesTransformation with inverted luminance mask for contrast increase

- Final CurvesTransformation for 'c' curve bump

- SCNR green @ 0.3

- DynamicCrop to crop edges

- Save and Export

Done