M78 Casper Nebula 27-Sep-24

Target: M78 Casper's Nebula

M78, also known as NGC2068, is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion and is about 1,350 light-years from Earth.

 

Gear:

Mount: ZWO AM5

Main Cam: ZWO ASI294MC Pro @ gain 121 and 8F

Guide Cam: ZWO ASI120MM Mini with ZWO 30mm f/4 scope

Telescope: Askar 103APO w/ 1.0x reducer/flattener - 700mm f/6.8

Filter: Baader Moon and Skyglow Broadband light pollution

 

Acquisition:

Light frames: 51 180 second subs for 2hr 33min integration

Sessions: 27-Sept-2024

Moon: 24 days old 26%

Location: Houston Astronomical Society Dark Site ~ Bortle 4

 

Processing

• GraXpert, SPCC ,BTX, STX

• Stretch Starless using script - GHX

• Stretch Stars using - Hist Trans

• Histogram stretch to set better black point, Saturation Curve

• Photoshop ACR contrast, black point, clarity, dehaze

• Photoshop Selective Colors to balance colors

• Photoshop screen stars, duplicate layer/black mask/reveal select stars

Done