SH2-159 Lobster Claw 08-Oct-24

Target: SH2-159 Lobster Claw Nebula

This nebula lies between the constellations of Cassiopeia and Cepheus. In the upper right is the beginnings of the Bubble Nebula that I recently imaged. I used a dual narrowband filter (Ha and Oiii) and processed this as a HOO pallet with the reds indicating Hydrogen and blues Oxygen.

 

 

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/ 0.8x reducer/flattener - 420mm f/4

Filter: Antlia ALP-T Dual Narrowband 5nm Ha and Oiii

 

Acquisition:

Light frames: 91 5min subs for 7hr 35Min integration

Sessions: 09-Oct-2024

Moon: 8 days old 35% 111deg from target

Location: Houston Backyard ~ Bortle 8/9

 

Processing

• Pixinsight Auto DBE, BTX, STX

• Pixinsight split starless channels, NXT

• Pixinsight Create HOO channels

• Ha = R • Oiii = .5*B+.5*G

• Pixinsight Statistical stretch

• Pixinsight Create HOO image

• R = Ha

• G = ((Oiii*Ha)^~(Oiii*Ha))*Ha + ~((Oiii*Ha)^~(Oiii*Ha))*Oiii

• B = Oiii

• Pixinsight Narrowband Normalization HOO, Lightness Ha, Blend Mode 1 Amount 0

• Pixinsight HT black point and balance channels, Curves for saturation

• Pixinsight Stretch Stars using - Star Stretch

• Pixinsight HT black point color balance, Saturation Curves

• Photoshop ACR contrast, black point, clarity, de haze

• Photoshop Selective Colors, ACR, channel D&B to balance colors

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

• Photoshop Final curves, watermark

Done