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On the morning of Friday 13th May my friend Stuart tipped me off that there was a huge looping prominence visible on the Sun. It was cloudy at the time but I could see a few gaps possibly heading my way so I set up the solar telescope just in case. What followed was a hugely frustrating imaging session, with strong gusts of wind and lots of cloud scudding past the Sun every time I started to capture video. My laptop screen also hadn't been fixed yet so it was incredibly difficult to get focus and exposure right. By the time I got a clear look at the Sun the large prominence in question had lifted off and vanished! However, I manage to get some ok shots out of the imaging session.
Coronado PST and ASI120MC fitted with a 2 x Barlow. I shot either 500 or 1000 frame videos with SharpCap and stacked the best 50% of the frames using Autostakkert! 3. Processing was done in Lightroom, Photoshop CS2 and Fast Stone Image Viewer.
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/9 1370 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=60
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=4
Temperature=-12.9
Cooler Power=69
Target Temperature=-13
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-05-28\FLAT-365-300g-MONO-BIAS\flats\21_58_06_offset=0.139%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\60.0s\gain_300\dark_20_frames_-14.8C_2019-04-23T00_45_41.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.393280169930876
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.617534321189369
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-05-29T08:07:51.1872703Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6028.0
IC 63 est une nébuleuse à diffusion dans la constellation de Cassiopée.
Nébuleuse diffuse très pâle et indistincte. Elle est d'ailleurs surnommée "Le fantôme".
Objet difficile à voir car noyé sous un flot d'étoiles, elle est accompagnée par IC 59, qui est encore moins distincte que celle-ci
ZWO ASI1600MC-C sur lunette FSQ106ED
guidage avec ZWO ASI224MC sur lunette APM 60*240
35 poses de 240s
acquisition via Sharpcap
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/9 1370 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=46
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=60
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=4
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=58
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-08-15\FLAT-365 -MONO-BIAS\flats\22_03_45_offset=0.141%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\60.0s\gain_300\dark_20_frames_-14.8C_2019-04-23T00_45_41.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.154636548913043
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.301581925967095
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-08-16T06:59:45.6266333Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6086.0
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
EQMOSAIC
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=45
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-9.4
Cooler Power=34
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-11-18\FLAT-196-BIAS-MONO\flats\19_11_05_offset=-0.012%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2020-11-17T00_24_37.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-11-21T04:04:31.7995491Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6452.0
TotalExposure(s)=1500
StackedFrames=50
Iris Nebula is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Taken with 8" (Ritchey-Chretien style) telescope and ASI ZWO 294 MC pro astro camera. 3 hours live stacking with SharpCap Pro.
SharpCap Live Stack
Direct Save no edit
Stellarvue 70mm f/4.8 336 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI183MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=5496x3672
Colour Space=RAW16
Hardware Binning=Off
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=4
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=50
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=225
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=None
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI183MC Pro\RAW16@5496x3672\30.0s\gain_300\dark_10_frames_-10.0C_2020-04-10T23_44_19.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-06-20T06:45:51.6060377Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6366.0
TotalExposure(s)=2130
StackedFrames=71
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/9 1370 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=60
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=4
Temperature=-14.8
Cooler Power=74
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-05-16\FLAT-367-300g-MONO-BIAS\flats\22_38_10_offset=0.138%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\60.0s\gain_300\dark_20_frames_-14.8C_2019-04-23T00_45_41.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.516225961538462
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.709660858616728
#White Point
Display White Point=1
TimeStamp=2019-05-17T09:10:50.7991584Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5994.0
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
Stellarvue 70mm f/4.8 336 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=46
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=302
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=9
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=60
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-09-06\FLAT-30-MONO-BIAS\flats\21_36_05_offset=1.779%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2019-08-31T00_47_55.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.245052428713528
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.457830311961044
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-09-07T07:54:48.1730521Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6097.0
LX5 10", f/10, focal image, LPI as Trust 14823 IRcutfilter, bad seeing , capture SharpCap, stack AviStack2
Very mixed weather today in Oulton Broad Suffolk - so this image was taken through light and intermittent cloud. Homemade Baader film white light filter, 66mm Altair Astro ED refractor and a QHY5-111462c camera. I experimented by adding an old Meade 4000 red filter No 23A to the Hydrogen Alpha pass filter. This appears to have accentuated the faculae evident in the image. The image was a 1 minute video capture (SER) using SharpCap 4.1. It was stacked using AS!3, and processed using, Registax 6, Affinity Photo 2, James Ritson's macros and Astroclean.
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=45
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=28
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-11-18\FLAT-196-BIAS-MONO\flats\19_11_05_offset=-0.012%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2020-11-17T00_24_37.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-11-20T02:07:09.7464584Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6452.0
TotalExposure(s)=1860
StackedFrames=62
A stack from of 16% of 5000 video frames
Taken on 2-23-2020 at the Deerlick Astronomy Village.
Scope: Celestron 9.25 SCT 2x Barlow, Atmospheric Distortion corrector, and IR cutoff filter
Camera: ASI290
Capture Software: Sharpcap
Stacked in PIPP and AutoStakkert and post processed in Lightroom, and Photoshop.
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Crop
Stellarvue 70mm f/6 420 FL
[ZWO ASI224MC]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=SER file (*.ser)
Binning=1
Capture Area=1304x976
Colour Space=RAW16
Temperature=21.6
Hardware Binning=Off
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=200
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=50
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=None
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI224MC\RAW16@1304x976\30.0s\gain_200\dark_20_frames_34.5C_2019-04-06T15_43_25.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.173730772975078
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.369101237899833
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-04-10T06:59:21.2353132Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5973.0
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
Stellarvue 70mm f/6 420 FL ZWO ASI183MC
[ZWO ASI183MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=5496x3672
Colour Space=RAW16
Hardware Binning=Off
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=200
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=5
Temperature=-15
Cooler Power=72
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=225
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2019-05-08\FLAT87-200g-MONO-BIAS\flats\22_12_47_offset=1.350%.fits
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI183MC Pro\RAW16@5496x3672\30.0s\gain_200\dark_20_frames_-15.0C_2019-04-05T22_49_44.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.272686298076923
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.640369806747019
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-05-09T02:43:57.3339269Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5990.0
23 September 2023, 01:00 UT; Stuart, Florida USA (Bortle 6).
Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD at f/10. QHY294M Pro camera, bin 2x2, exposure 10s, Mono8, gain 3000, quickcapture in Sharpcap, stacked best 169 of 200 frames (selected via DSS score), no filter, no guiding, no calibration frames, sensor 0°C. Processed in DSS and PS.
Appearance: large dim planetary nebula, unevenly lit mottled disc with central star, low contrast
from Stellarium:
Azimuth: 129°
Altitude: 79°
Magnitude: 11
Apparent size: 21 arcsec
Moon illuminated: 53%
Clouds: partly cloudy
Transparency: 2
Seeing: G
from Wikipedia
NGC 6905, also known as the Blue Flash Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Delphinus. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. The central star is 14.0 mag. The distance of the nebula, as with most planetary nebulae, is not well determined and estimates range between 1.7 and 2.6 kpc.
The shape of NGC 6905 is characterised by an internal shell with angular dimensions 47" ×34" and roughly conical extensions, with ansae-type formations along the major axis. The nucleus of the nebula possesses one of the most broad emission of OVI emission lines among planetary nebulae. Moreover, OVIII emission has been detected in NGC 6905. The ansae were particularly intense in NII. The total mass of gas in NGC 6905 falls between 0.31 M☉ and 0.47 M☉.
The central star has a spectral type of [WO2], meaning it has a spectrum similar to those of Wolf–Rayet stars and is rich in oxygen; it is estimated to have a surface temperature of 150,000 K. The spectrum also shows signs of neon emission lines. Currently about 60% the mass of the Sun, before becoming a planetary nebula it had a mass of about 1.07 M☉. An analysis of Gaia data suggests that the central star may be a binary system.
NGC 6905 can be detected under dark skies with a 4-inch telescope, but it better observed with larger instruments.
29-07-2016: IC5146 "Cocoon Nebula", Canon 17-102mm zoom lens @ f/2, ASI290MM, Omega Optics 30nm Halpha, 10 x 30 sec, 50% gain, SharpCap v2.8. (distorted stars due to optics in lense)
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=60
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-14.1
Cooler Power=37
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=110
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=5
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2019-01-05\FLAT-209ms-300g-0offs-5050WB-COL-BIAS\flats\19_48_45_offset=0.289%.fits
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-14.8C_2018-12-23T01_02_14.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.1328125
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.480287746256178
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-01-06T11:04:28.2492326Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5906.0
SharpCap
AutoStakkert 3
RegiStax 6
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.3 959 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=45
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=51
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-10-01\FLAT-203-BIAS-MONO\flats\20_57_25_offset=-0.017%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_50_frames_-10.0C_2020-06-10T07_15_26.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-10-02T02:18:57.3153401Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6383.0
TotalExposure(s)=1380
StackedFrames=46
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
Stellarvue 70mm f/4.8 336 FL IDAS D2
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=50
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=66
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-07-02\FLAT-47-300-MONO-BIAS0-B0\flats\01_04_54_offset=-0.044%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_50_frames_-10.0C_2020-06-10T07_15_26.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-07-02T07:38:08.2315052Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6377.0
TotalExposure(s)=3780
StackedFrames=126
12 September 2023, 02:47 UT; Stuart, Florida USA (Bortle 6).
Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100 HD at f/10. QHY294M Pro camera, bin 2x2, exposure 12s, Mono8, gain 3000, quickcapture in Sharpcap, stacked best 88 of 100 subframes (selected in DSS via FWMH and visual sorting), IR cut filter, no guiding, no calibration frames, sensor 0°C. Processed in DSS and PS.
Appearance: very small and dim face-on galaxy, bright starlike center, bright bar across the dimmer fat oval bulge, dimmer disc is poorly resilved but suggests presence of spiral arms
from Stellarium:
Azimuth: 129°
Altitude: 33°
Magnitude: 14.6
Apparent size: 1 arcmin
Moon illuminated: x%
Clouds: partly cloudy
Transparency: 3
Seeing: VG
from Wikipedia
NGC 7723 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Aquarius. It is located at a distance of circa 90 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 7723 is about 95,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on November 27, 1785. The galaxy is included in the Herschel 400 Catalogue. It lies 1.5 degrees north-northwest from Omega1 Aquarii. It can be seen with a 4-inch telescope under dark skies.
NGC 7723 is a barred spiral galaxy. It has a bright nucleus and a boxy bulge. In the centre of the galaxy lies a supermassive black hole whose mass is estimated to be (10.6±4.9)×106 M☉ based on the spiral arm pitch angle. The bar emerges from the opposite sides of the bulge. Straight dust lanes are observed along the bar, the one smooth and the other appearing broken. The bar has a maximum apparent length of 64 arcseconds. At the end of the bar the spiral arms form a pseudoring with diameter of 71 arcseconds. Based on observations in far ultraviolet (FUV) and Hα there is active star formation at the pseudo-ring. Based on the B-I color profile of the galaxy the bar finishes at 23 arcseconds, at the same distance where there is a population of older stars, and thus is suggested to be the corotation radius of NGC 7723.
The structure of the arms is complex. The arm that emanates from the southwest part of the bar is well defined for a quarter of a revolution and after that it becomes more diffuse and fades after reaching half a revolution. The other arm emanates from a feature about 60 degrees northwest of the bar and brightens after passing the end of the bar, and then it splits in two. The inner part forms the southwest part of the pseudo-ring and bifurcates after winding for about 120 degrees after the bar end, with the inner part being the brightest. The other arm becomes diffuse and of low surface brightness.
One supernova has been observed in NGC 7723, SN 1975N, a type Ia supernova with peak magnitude of 13.8.
NGC 7723 belongs to a small groups of galaxies known as the NGC 7727 group. Other members of the group include NGC 7727 and NGC 7724. NGC 7727 lies about 40' northwest of NGC 7723.
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/9 1370 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=70
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=60
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=4
Temperature=-14.8
Cooler Power=68
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-04-29\FLAT-356-300g-MONO-BIAS\flats\21_34_56_offset=0.140%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\60.0s\gain_300\dark_20_frames_-14.8C_2019-04-23T00_45_41.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.290817612327189
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.583878562598648
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-04-30T04:27:59.5206423Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5986.0
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=45
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=25
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-11-18\FLAT-196-BIAS-MONO\flats\19_11_05_offset=-0.012%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2020-11-17T00_24_37.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-11-20T04:02:42.1631792Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6452.0
TotalExposure(s)=1890
StackedFrames=63
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=45
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=30
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-11-18\FLAT-196-BIAS-MONO\flats\19_11_05_offset=-0.012%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2020-11-17T00_24_37.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-11-20T00:31:10.9690965Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6452.0
TotalExposure(s)=1950
StackedFrames=65
Best 4000 of 6000 frames captured with a ZWO ASI120MC camera in a 200P Scope on an NEQ6 Pro. Captured in Sharpcap 2, stacked in AS!2 then wavelets in Registax 5.1 and further processing in Photoshop CS2
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=46
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=290
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=9
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=20
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2019-11-12\FLAT-244-MONO-BIAS\flats\20_01_35_offset=0.230%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_25_frames_-10.0C_2019-08-31T00_47_55.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.125
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.212577778678725
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-11-13T03:06:52.2669277Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6128.0
Celestron C8 SCT
Celestron CG-5 mount
IR filter
Lunar filter
Microsoft Lifecam HD5001
Captured in SharpCap, processed in Registax6
Jupiter imaged on July 13, 2020. This was the first photo taken on my Orion 8" newtonian. The image quality will improve by adding a coma corrector.
The camera used was a ZWO ASI120MC. Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Orion 203 mm f/4.3 newtonian scope. No guiding. Software at rig: SharpCap. Stacked in Autostackert and color correction, stretching done in Photoshop
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=SER file (*.ser)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=60
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=0
Exposure=0.0056
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=89
White Bal (R)=54
Brightness=0
Temperature=-14.8
Cooler Power=34
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=110
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=5
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2019-01-20\FLAT-BIAS-MONO\flats\20_48_23_offset=0.286%.fits
Subtract Dark=None
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
TimeStamp=2019-01-21T02:33:40.9909513Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5921.0
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=SER file (*.ser)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=60
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=0
Exposure=0.004477
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=89
White Bal (R)=54
Brightness=0
Temperature=-14.1
Cooler Power=33
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=110
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=5
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2019-01-20\FLAT-BIAS-MONO\flats\20_48_23_offset=0.286%.fits
Subtract Dark=None
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
TimeStamp=2019-01-21T03:14:57.0799015Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5921.0
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=60
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=60
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=3
Temperature=-14.8
Cooler Power=30
Target Temperature=-15
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=110
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=12.0178041543027
Banding Suppression=30
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2019-01-26\FLAT-BIAS-COL\flats\20_37_27_offset=0.166%.fits
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\60.0s\gain_300\dark_20_frames_-14.8C_2019-01-26T05_02_54.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0.145824414954338
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.267160815376729
#White Point
Display White Point=0.998046875
TimeStamp=2019-01-27T03:42:50.5778290Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.5936.0
California Nebula
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
Stellarvue SV70-IS f/4.8 336mm
IDAS D2 Filter
[ZWO ASI183MC Pro]
FrameType=Light
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=5496x3672
Colour Space=RAW16
Hardware Binning=Off
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=50
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=200
Exposure=60.000s
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=30
Cooler Power=28
Temperature=-10
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=225
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Trail Width=3
Minimum Trail Length=100
Trail Detection Sensitivity=9
Remove Satellite Trails=Off
Background Subtraction=Off
Planet/Disk Stabilization=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2023-03-13\FLAT-204-200G-MONO-BIAS\flats\MasterFlat_21_23_33_offset=0.158%.fits
Hot Pixel Sensitivity=5
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI183MC Pro\RAW16@5496x3672\60.0s\gain_200\MasterDark_25_frames_-10.0C_2023-03-10T21_19_53.fits
NegativeDisplay=0
Display Black Point=0
Display MidTone Point=0.5
Display White Point=1
Notes=
iOptron CEM60,iEQ45Pro/30Pro,CEM25,SmartEQ Pro+,AZ Mount Pro,Cube II Mount=RA=04:01:52,Dec=+36:33:07 (JNOW)
TimeStamp=2023-03-15T02:10:26.8274884Z
SharpCapVersion=4.0.9538.0
TotalExposure(s)=2700
StackedFrames=45
LiveStack.SaveRawFrames=None
LiveStack.AlignFrames=True
LiveStack.Derotate=True
LiveStack.StarsForAlignment=10
LiveStack.StarDetection.Sensitivity=80
LiveStack.StarDetection.SuppressHotPixels=True
LiveStack.AlignAutoDisabled=False
LiveStack.ReduceNoiseAmount=1
LiveStack.BrightnessLimit=70
LiveStack.FilterBrightness=False
LiveStack.AutoBrightnessLimit=False
LiveStack.FWHMLimit=4
LiveStack.FilterFWHM=False
LiveStack.WarningThreshold=5
LiveStack.StackingMode=1
LiveStack.SigmaClipInitialCount=5
LiveSack.SigmaClipThreshold=3
LiveStack.SigmaClipLowLimit=0
LiveStack.AutoSaveReset=False
LiveStack.AutoSaveResetMinutes=5
LiveStack.LogarithmicHistogramHorizontalAxis=True
LiveStack.AutoSave=False
LiveStack.BlackLevel=6.654959
LiveStack.WhiteLevel=99.55
LiveStack.MidLevel=8.395004
LiveStack.WBB.db=3.145185
LiveStack.WBG.db=-0.1
LiveStack.WBR.db=6.670991
LiveStack.Saturation=1.204368
AutoStretch.Strength=1
LiveStack.StarDetection.FaintStarsOptimization=True
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 AP CCDT67 f/6.9 1049mm FL
IDAS D1 Filter
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro (310A84041F070900, via USB3)]
FrameType=
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
Exposure/Gain Shift=0
High Speed Mode=On
Turbo USB=65
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30.000s
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Cooler Power=31
Temperature=-10
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=285
Auto Exp Max Exp MS=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=110
Mono Bin=Off
CA Reduction/Synthetic Blue=Off
Mask over exposed pixels=Off
Flip (after dark/flat)=None
Trail Width=3
Minimum Trail Length=100
Trail Detection Sensitivity=9
Remove Satellite Trails=Off
Background Subtraction=Off
Planet/Disk Stabilization=Off
Banding Threshold=10
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=E:\SharpCap Captures\2024-02-06\FLAT-212-300-MONO-BIAS\flats\MasterFlat_19_35_27_offset=0.886%.fits
Hot Pixel Sensitivity=5
Subtract Dark=E:\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\MasterDark_25_frames_-10.0C_2024-02-01T21_30_15.fits
DisplayStretchEnable=1
NegativeDisplay=0
Display Black Point=0
Display MidTone Point=0.5
Display White Point=1
Notes=
Moonlite DRO Focuser Driver=342
Focuser Temperature=12
iOptron CEM60,iEQ45Pro/30Pro,CEM25,SmartEQ Pro+,AZ Mount Pro,Cube II Mount=RA=06:42:25.8,Dec=+09:47:35 (JNOW)
TimeStamp=2024-02-07T04:55:37.0320203Z
SharpCapVersion=4.1.11786.0
TotalExposure(s)=3090
StackedFrames=103
LiveStack.SaveRawFrames=None
LiveStack.AlignFrames=True
LiveStack.Derotate=True
LiveStack.StarsForAlignment=10
LiveStack.StarDetection.Sensitivity=90
LiveStack.StarDetection.SuppressHotPixels=True
LiveStack.AlignAutoDisabled=False
LiveStack.ReduceNoiseAmount=0.5
LiveStack.BrightnessLimit=81.8919
LiveStack.FilterBrightness=False
LiveStack.AutoBrightnessLimit=False
LiveStack.FWHMLimit=7.891892
LiveStack.FilterFWHM=False
LiveStack.WarningThreshold=5
LiveStack.StackingMode=1
LiveStack.SigmaClipInitialCount=10
LiveSack.SigmaClipThreshold=3
LiveStack.SigmaClipLowLimit=0.2645503
LiveStack.AutoSaveReset=False
LiveStack.AutoSaveResetMinutes=5
LiveStack.LogarithmicHistogramHorizontalAxis=True
LiveStack.AutoSave=False
LiveStack.BlackLevel=1.575
LiveStack.WhiteLevel=99.975
LiveStack.MidLevel=2.095477
LiveStack.WBB.db=1.9485589
LiveStack.WBG.db=0
LiveStack.WBR.db=11.172667
LiveStack.Saturation=0.9
AutoStretch.Strength=1
LiveStack.StarDetection.FaintStarsOptimization=False
LiveStack.StretchMode=2
LiveStack.CometStarRemovalSize=50
LiveStack.AlignOnComet=False
LiveStack.CometThreshold=0.1
LiveStack.StartOnClear=True
LiveStack.AutoDisableDisplayStretch=False
LiveStack.SaveStackLog=True
LiveStacking.MaxStarSize=50
LiveStacking.NewStackOnReopenAfter60s=True
LiveStacking.Guiding.RequireGuiding=False
LiveStacking.Guiding.AutoDither=True
LiveStacking.Guiding.ShortExposuresWhileAdjusting=True
LiveStacking.Guiding.CountSecondsOrFrames=0
LiveStacking.Guiding.AdjustmentInterval=4
LiveStacking.Guiding.Enabled=True
LiveStacking.Guiding.RecenterEnabled=False
LiveStacking.Guiding.RecenterMovementThreshold=20
I am obsessed with Hadley Rille so pretty chuffed with how much detail I captured of it in this one.
C11 XLT, Altair 385c & 2x Barlow. 18k frames captured in SharpCap and stacked 11% using Autostakkert. Edits in Registax & Lightroom.
I took three videos using Sharpcap, combined them through PIPP-AutoStakkert. 10K frames stacked and final image processed in Pixinsight
Telescope: Skywatcher Quattro 150P with coma corrector (F3.45)
Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro
Filter: Svbony UV/IR cut filter
Date 14.04.2024
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
Stellarvue 70mm f/4.4 312 FL IDAS D2
[ZWO ASI294MC Pro]
Debayer Preview=On
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=4144x2822
Colour Space=RAW16
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=50
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=300
Exposure=30
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=10
Temperature=-10
Cooler Power=66
Target Temperature=-10
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=300
Auto Exp Max Exp M S=30000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=100
Mono Bin=Off
Banding Threshold=35
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\2020-07-13\Capture\flats\23_08_10_offset=-0.021%.fits
Subtract Dark=C:\Users\Chris\Desktop\SharpCap Captures\darks\ZWO ASI294MC Pro\RAW16@4144x2822\30.0s\gain_300\dark_50_frames_-10.0C_2020-06-10T07_15_26.fits
#Black Point
Display Black Point=0
#MidTone Point
Display MidTone Point=0.5
#White Point
Display White Point=1
Notes=
TimeStamp=2020-07-14T07:06:24.3647508Z
SharpCapVersion=3.2.6383.0
TotalExposure(s)=3720
StackedFrames=124
NGC4169, 4173, 4174 and 4175 are a small group of four galaxies in Coma Berenices. 4169 is the elliptical galaxy the edge-on spiral is 4173. Also in this shot though hard to identify are NGC4170 and NGC4171 which look starlike in this image.
80x180s shot with the H183c and RC8 using Sharpcap, guided, stacked in DSS and processed in Pixinsight. Seeing was dodgy with high cloud.
5 Jan 2025, 03:33 UT; Spotsylvania, Virginia USA. Bortle 4.5 zone.
Celestron C8 SCT at f/10.1. Orion Atlas AZ/EQ-G mount. Mallincam DS26cTEC camera, bin 1x1, exposure 16s, single frame, Optolong L'eNhance filter, no guiding, no calibration frames, sensor -5°C. Captured in Sharpcap Pro. Processed in PixInsight and Photoshop.
IDENTIFICATION OF Rigel BC
In the absence of a plate-solved location for Rigel BC the following information was considered:
1. Positive -- Published position angle (202° East of North) is consistent with labelled BC. Per ASTAP this image does not have standard orientation, e.g. it does not show North in the standard position -- up (0°). A corrected image would be rotated 7° and flipped on the horizontal axis for standard alignment with North, which puts the labelled star near the correct position.
2. Negative -- The brightest star in the field (besides Rigel A) is magnitude 6.35 and the nearby dimmer stars are approx. magnitude 10. The image of the labelled star BC (magnitude 7.5) is between them in size (brightness) but appears closer to magnitude 10 than 6.
3. Negative -- The separation of A from labelled BC in the image is roughly estimated from the image at 1 arcmin, not the expected 0.16 arcmin (9.5 arcsec).
4. Positive -- It is consistent with other posted amateur images of Rigel A & B.
BOTTOM LINE
I have 80% confidence that Rigel BC is correctly identified in this image, but another star could be obscured in the asymmetrical flare. An occulting bar may be used to verify dim Rigel BC against its brilliant companion in a subsequent image.
Appearance: Bright light blue star (Rigel A) and dim companions (Rigel B, C, and D), with adjacent variable star λ Eri (magnitude 6.35) at 3:00 position. The severe halo/flare around Rigel may be due to the filter, and may be asymmetrical due to moderate sensor tilt in the system.
Clouds: clear
Transparency: average
Seeing: below average
Apparent Magnitude (USNO): A 0.5-0.18, BC 7.5-7.6
Separation A-BC: 9.5 arcsec
Image scale:
Moon age, illuminated: xx, xx
Azimuth: xx°
Altitude: xx°
from Wikipedia
Rigel is a blue supergiant star in the constellation of Orion. It has the Bayer designation β Orionis, which is Latinized to Beta Orionis and abbreviated Beta Ori or β Ori. Rigel is the brightest and most massive component – and the eponym – of a star system of at least four stars that appear as a single blue-white point of light to the naked eye. This system is located at a distance of approximately 860 light-years (260 pc) from the Sun.
A star of spectral type B8Ia, Rigel is 120,000 times as luminous as the Sun, and is 18 to 24 times as massive, depending on the method and assumptions used. Its radius is more than seventy times that of the Sun, and its surface temperature is 12,100 K. Due to its stellar wind, Rigel's mass-loss is estimated to be ten million times that of the Sun. With an estimated age of seven to nine million years, Rigel has exhausted its core hydrogen fuel, expanded, and cooled to become a supergiant. It is expected to end its life as a type II supernova, leaving a neutron star or a black hole as a final remnant, depending on the initial mass of the star.
Rigel varies slightly in brightness, its apparent magnitude ranging from 0.05 to 0.18. It is classified as an Alpha Cygni variable due to the amplitude and periodicity of its brightness variation, as well as its spectral type. Its intrinsic variability is caused by pulsations in its unstable atmosphere. Rigel is generally the seventh-brightest star in the night sky and the brightest star in Orion, though it is occasionally outshone by Betelgeuse, which varies over a larger range.
A triple-star system is separated from Rigel by an angle of 9.5 arc seconds. It has an apparent magnitude of 6.7, making it 1/400th as bright as Rigel. Two stars in the system can be seen by large telescopes, and the brighter of the two is a spectroscopic binary. These three stars are all blue-white main-sequence stars, each three to four times as massive as the Sun. Rigel and the triple system orbit a common center of gravity with a period estimated to be 24,000 years. The inner stars of the triple system orbit each other every 10 days, and the outer star orbits the inner pair every 63 years. A much fainter star, separated from Rigel and the others by nearly an arc minute, may be part of the same star system.
In 2016, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) included the name "Rigel" in the IAU Catalog of Star Names. According to the IAU, this proper name applies only to the primary component A of the Rigel system. The system is listed variously in historical astronomical catalogs as H II 33, Σ 668, β 555, or ADS 3823. For simplicity, Rigel's companions are referred to as Rigel B, C, and D; the IAU describes such names as "useful nicknames" that are "unofficial". In modern comprehensive catalogs, the whole multiple star system is known as WDS 05145-0812 or CCDM 05145–0812.
The designation of Rigel as β Orionis (Latinized to beta Orionis) was made by Johann Bayer in 1603. The "beta" designation is usually given to the second-brightest star in each constellation, but Rigel is almost always brighter than α Orionis (Betelgeuse). Astronomer J.B. Kaler speculated that Bayer assigned letters during a rare period when variable star Betelgeuse temporarily outshone Rigel, resulting in Betelgeuse being designated "alpha" and Rigel designated "beta". However, closer examination of Bayer's method shows that he did not strictly order the stars by brightness, but instead grouped them first by magnitude, then by declination. Rigel and Betelgeuse were both classed as first magnitude, and in Orion the stars of each class appear to have been ordered north to south.
Rigel has many other stellar designations taken from various catalogs, including the Flamsteed 19 Orionis (19 Ori), the Bright Star Catalogue entry HR 1713, and the Henry Draper Catalogue number HD 34085. These designations frequently appear in the scientific literature,[ but rarely in popular writing. Rigel is listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, but since its familiar Bayer designation is used instead of creating a separate variable star designation.
Rigel is an intrinsic variable star with an apparent magnitude ranging from 0.05 to 0.18. It is typically the seventh-brightest star in the celestial sphere, excluding the Sun, although occasionally fainter than Betelgeuse. Rigel appears slightly blue-white and has a B-V color index of −0.06. It contrasts strongly with reddish Betelgeuse.
Culminating every year at midnight on 12 December, and at 9:00 pm on 24 January, Rigel is visible on winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere and on summer evenings in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, Rigel is the first bright star of Orion visible as the constellation rises. Correspondingly, it is also the first star of Orion to set in most of the Northern Hemisphere. The star is a vertex of the "Winter Hexagon", an asterism that includes Aldebaran, Capella, Pollux, Procyon, and Sirius. Rigel is a prominent equatorial navigation star, being easily located and readily visible in all the world's oceans (the exception is the area north of the 82nd parallel north).
Rigel's spectral type is a defining point of the classification sequence for supergiants.[36][37] The overall spectrum is typical for a late B class star, with strong absorption lines of the hydrogen Balmer series as well as neutral helium lines and some of heavier elements such as oxygen, calcium, and magnesium.[38] The luminosity class for B8 stars is estimated from the strength and narrowness of the hydrogen spectral lines, and Rigel is assigned to the bright supergiant class Ia.[39] Variations in the spectrum have resulted in the assignment of different classes to Rigel, such as B8 Ia, B8 Iab, and B8 Iae.
As early as 1888, the heliocentric radial velocity of Rigel, as estimated from the Doppler shifts of its spectral lines, was seen to vary. This was confirmed and interpreted at the time as being due to a spectroscopic companion with a period of about 22 days. The radial velocity has since been measured to vary by about 10 km/s around a mean of 21.5 km/s.
In 1933, the Hα line in Rigel's spectrum was seen to be unusually weak and shifted 0.1 nm towards shorter wavelengths, while there was a narrow emission spike about 1.5 nm to the long wavelength side of the main absorption line. This is now known as a P Cygni profile after a star that shows this feature strongly in its spectrum. It is associated with mass loss where there is simultaneously emission from a dense wind close to the star and absorption from circumstellar material expanding away from the star.
The unusual Hα line profile is observed to vary unpredictably. It is a normal absorption line around a third of the time. About a quarter of the time, it is a double-peaked line, that is, an absorption line with an emission core or an emission line with an absorption core. About a quarter of the time it has a P Cygni profile; most of the rest of the time, the line has an inverse P Cygni profile, where the emission component is on the short wavelength side of the line. Rarely, there is a pure emission Hα line. The line profile changes are interpreted as variations in the quantity and velocity of material being expelled from the star. Occasional very high-velocity outflows have been inferred, and, more rarely, infalling material. The overall picture is one of large looping structures arising from the photosphere and driven by magnetic fields.
Rigel has been known to vary in brightness since at least 1930. The small amplitude of Rigel's brightness variation requires photoelectric or CCD photometry to be reliably detected. This brightness variation has no obvious period. Observations over 18 nights in 1984 showed variations at red, blue, and yellow wavelengths of up to 0.13 magnitudes on timescales of a few hours to several days, but again no clear period. Rigel's color index varies slightly, but this is not significantly correlated with its brightness variations.
From analysis of Hipparcos satellite photometry, Rigel is identified as belonging to the Alpha Cygni class of variable stars, defined as "non-radially pulsating supergiants of the Bep–AepIa spectral types". In those spectral types, the 'e' indicates that it displays emission lines in its spectrum, while the 'p' means it has an unspecified spectral peculiarity. Alpha Cygni type variables are generally considered to be irregular or have quasi-periods. Rigel was added to the General Catalogue of Variable Stars in the 74th name-list of variable stars on the basis of the Hipparcos photometry, which showed variations with a photographic amplitude of 0.039 magnitudes and a possible period of 2.075 days. Rigel was observed with the Canadian MOST satellite for nearly 28 days in 2009. Milli-magnitude variations were observed, and gradual changes in flux suggest the presence of long-period pulsation modes.
From observations of the variable Hα spectral line, Rigel's mass-loss rate due to stellar wind is estimated be (1.5±0.4)×10−7 solar masses per year (M☉/yr)—about ten million times more than the mass-loss rate from the Sun.[52] More detailed optical and K band infrared spectroscopic observations, together with VLTI interferometry, were taken from 2006 to 2010. Analysis of the Hα and Hγ line profiles, and measurement of the regions producing the lines, show that Rigel's stellar wind varies greatly in structure and strength. Loop and arm structures were also detected within the wind. Calculations of mass loss from the Hγ line give (9.4±0.9)×10−7 M☉/yr in 2006-7 and (7.6±1.1)×10−7 M☉/yr in 2009–10. Calculations using the Hα line give lower results, around 1.5×10−7 M☉/yr. The terminal wind velocity is 300 km/s. It is estimated that Rigel has lost about three solar masses (M☉) since beginning life as a star of 24±3 M☉ seven to nine million years ago.
Rigel's distance from the Sun is somewhat uncertain, different estimates being obtained by different methods. Old estimates placed it 166 parsecs (or 541 light years) away from the Sun. The 2007 Hipparcos new reduction of Rigel's parallax is 3.78±0.34 mas, giving a distance of 863 light-years (265 parsecs) with a margin of error of about 9%. Rigel B, usually considered to be physically associated with Rigel and at the same distance, has a Gaia Data Release 3 parallax of 3.2352±0.0553 mas, suggesting a distance around 1,000 light-years (310 parsecs). However, the measurements for this object may be unreliable.
Indirect distance estimation methods have also been employed. For example, Rigel is believed to be in a region of nebulosity, its radiation illuminating several nearby clouds. Most notable of these is the 5°-long IC 2118 (Witch Head Nebula), located at an angular separation of 2.5° from the star, or a projected distance of 39 light-years (12 parsecs) away. From measures of other nebula-embedded stars, IC 2118's distance is estimated to be 949 ± 7 light-years (291 ± 2 parsecs).
Rigel is an outlying member of the Orion OB1 association, which is located at a distance of up to 1,600 light-years (500 parsecs) from Earth. It is a member of the loosely defined Taurus-Orion R1 Association, somewhat closer at 1,200 light-years (360 parsecs). Rigel is thought to be considerably closer than most of the members of Orion OB1 and the Orion Nebula. Betelgeuse and Saiph lie at a similar distance to Rigel, although Betelgeuse is a runaway star with a complex history and might have originally formed in the main body of the association.
The star system of which Rigel is a part has at least four components. Rigel (sometimes called Rigel A to distinguish from the other components) has a visual companion, which is likely a close triple-star system. A fainter star at a wider separation might be a fifth component of the Rigel system.
William Herschel discovered Rigel to be a visual double star on 1 October 1781, cataloguing it as star 33 in the "second class of double stars" in his Catalogue of Double Stars, usually abbreviated to H II 33, or as H 2 33 in the Washington Double Star Catalogue.
Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve first measured the relative position of the companion in 1822, cataloguing the visual pair as Σ 668. The secondary star is often referred to as Rigel B or β Orionis B. The angular separation of Rigel B from Rigel A is 9.5 arc seconds to its south along position angle 204°. Although not particularly faint at visual magnitude 6.7, the overall difference in brightness from Rigel A (about 6.6 magnitudes or 440 times fainter) makes it a challenging target for telescope apertures smaller than 15 cm (6 in).
At Rigel's estimated distance, Rigel B's projected separation from Rigel A is over 2,200 astronomical units (AU). Since its discovery, there has been no sign of orbital motion, although both stars share a similar common proper motion. The pair would have an estimated orbital period of 24,000 years. Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) contains a somewhat unreliable parallax for Rigel B, placing it at about 1,100 light-years (340 parsecs), further away than the Hipparcos distance for Rigel, but similar to the Taurus-Orion R1 association. There is no parallax for Rigel in Gaia DR2. The Gaia DR2 proper motions for Rigel B and the Hipparcos proper motions for Rigel are both small, although not quite the same.
In 1871, Sherburne Wesley Burnham suspected Rigel B to be a binary system, and in 1878, he resolved it into two components. This visual companion is designated as component C (Rigel C), with a measured separation from component B that varies from less than 0.1″ to around 0.3″. In 2009, speckle interferometry showed the two almost identical components separated by 0.124″, with visual magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.6, respectively. Their estimated orbital period is 63 years. Burnham listed the Rigel multiple system as β 555 in his double star catalog or BU 555 in modern use.
Component B is a double-lined spectroscopic binary system, which shows two sets of spectral lines combined within its single stellar spectrum. Periodic changes observed in relative positions of these lines indicate an orbital period of 9.86 days. The two spectroscopic components Rigel Ba and Rigel Bb cannot be resolved in optical telescopes but are known to both be hot stars of spectral type around B9. This spectroscopic binary, together with the close visual component Rigel C, is likely a physical triple-star system, although Rigel C cannot be detected in the spectrum, which is inconsistent with its observed brightness.
In 1878, Burnham found another possibly associated star of approximately 13th magnitude. He listed it as component D of β 555, although it is unclear whether it is physically related or a coincidental alignment. Its 2017 separation from Rigel was 44.5″, almost due north at a position angle of 1°.[8] Gaia DR2 finds it to be a 12th magnitude sunlike star at approximately the same distance as Rigel. Likely a K-type main-sequence star, this star would have an orbital period of around 250,000 years, if it is part of the Rigel system.
A spectroscopic companion to Rigel was reported on the basis of radial velocity variations, and its orbit was even calculated, but subsequent work suggests the star does not exist and that observed pulsations are intrinsic to Rigel itself.
Rigel is a blue supergiant that has exhausted the hydrogen fuel in its core, expanded and cooled as it moved away from the main sequence across the upper part of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. When it was on the main sequence, its effective temperature would have been around 30,000 K. Rigel's complex variability at visual wavelengths is caused by stellar pulsations similar to those of Deneb. Further observations of radial velocity variations indicate that it simultaneously oscillates in at least 19 non-radial modes with periods ranging from about 1.2 to 74 days.
Estimation of many physical characteristics of blue supergiant stars, including Rigel, is challenging due to their rarity and uncertainty about how far they are from the Sun. As such, their characteristics are mainly estimated from theoretical stellar evolution models. Its effective temperature can be estimated from the spectral type and color to be around 12,100 K. A mass of 21±3 M☉ at an age of 8±1 million years has been estimated by comparing evolutionary tracks, while atmospheric modeling from the spectrum gives a mass of 24±8 M☉.
Although Rigel is often considered the most luminous star within 1,000 light-years of the Sun, its energy output is poorly known. Using the Hipparcos distance of 860 light-years (264 parsecs), the estimated relative luminosity for Rigel is about 120,000 times that of the Sun (L☉), but another recently published distance of 1,170 ± 130 light-years (360 ± 40 parsecs) suggests an even higher luminosity of 219,000 L☉. Other calculations based on theoretical stellar evolutionary models of Rigel's atmosphere give luminosities anywhere between 83,000 L☉ and 363,000 L☉, while summing the spectral energy distribution from historical photometry with the Hipparcos distance suggests a luminosity as low as 61,515±11,486 L☉.
A 2018 study using the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer measured the angular diameter as 2.526 mas. After correcting for limb darkening, the angular diameter is found to be 2.606±0.009 mas, yielding a radius of 74.1+6.1−7.3 R☉. An older measurement of the angular diameter gives 2.75±0.01 mas, equivalent to a radius of 78.9 R☉ at 264 pc. These radii are calculated assuming the Hipparcos distance of 264 pc; adopting a distance of 360 pc leads to a significantly larger size. Older distance estimates were mostly far lower than modern estimates, leading to lower radius estimates; a 1922 estimate by John Stanley Plaskett gave Rigel a diameter of 25 million miles, or approximately 28.9 R☉, smaller than its neighbor Aldebaran.
Due to their closeness to each other and ambiguity of the spectrum, little is known about the intrinsic properties of the members of the Rigel BC triple system. All three stars seem to be near equally hot B-type main-sequence stars that are three to four times as massive as the Sun.
Stellar evolution models suggest the pulsations of Rigel are powered by nuclear reactions in a hydrogen-burning shell that is at least partially non-convective. These pulsations are stronger and more numerous in stars that have evolved through a red supergiant phase and then increased in temperature to again become a blue supergiant. This is due to the decreased mass and increased levels of fusion products at the surface of the star.
Rigel is likely to be fusing helium in its core. Due to strong convection of helium produced in the core while Rigel was on the main sequence and in the hydrogen-burning shell since it became a supergiant, the fraction of helium at the surface has increased from 26.6% when the star formed to 32% now. The surface abundances of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen seen in the spectrum are compatible with a post-red supergiant star only if its internal convection zones are modeled using non-homogeneous chemical conditions known as the Ledoux Criteria.
Rigel is expected to eventually end its stellar life as a type II supernova. It is one of the closest known potential supernova progenitors to Earth, and would be expected to have a maximum apparent magnitude of around −11 (about the same brightness as a quarter Moon or around 300 times brighter than Venus ever gets). The supernova would leave behind either a black hole or a neutron star.
23 Apr 2018
2200 CST / 0300 UTC
Azimuth: 226˚
Altitude: 66˚
Distance: 372,361 kilometers
60x .025s Exposure Subs, Gain 139, Offset 21, Sensor Temp -20c (42x stacked)
Calibration Frames:
60x Dark frames
60x Flats and 60x Biases
Equipment:
Mount: Celestron AVX
Telescope: Orion ED80T CF with field flattener
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MC-Cooled Pro
Captured in SharpCap, pre-processed and stacked in Nebulosity, further processed in Photoshop and Lightroom
SharpCap Live Stack
Photoshop Edit
RC6 f/6.8 1032 FL IDAS D1
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M81 and M82 using ASI533MC, Explore Scientific 102ED, SVbony .80 reducer/flattener, 48frames at 128sec. Stacked with SharpCap and used Affinity pro for levels and curves adjustment along with background removal.
SharpCap Live Stack
.Photoshop Edit
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SharpCap Live Stack
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