View allAll Photos Tagged Subframing
IC443 is a supernova remnant about 5000 light years distant. For this false colour image I captured light emitting from hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen ions and then combined in a HSO tone map i.e. hydrogen is red, sulphur is green and oxygen is blue. Throughout much of the jellyfish hydrogen and sulphur emissions are equally strong giving yellow, while oxygen is relatively weak and is only visible around the edges.
The image is an integration of 12 hours of H, 13 of O and 14 of S captured in 10 minute subframes on a QHY163M camera with Optolong filters, The telescope was a WO FLT110 with Flat4 and this was mounted on a Skywatcher AZ-EQ6. Imaging was managed by Sequence Generator Pro with PHD2 for guiding and all post-processing was carried out in PixInsight.
Observed from Prachinburi, Thailand
Moon: Southwestern Quadrant Mosaic
May 8, 2017
This was an experiment to determine a way to create image files large enough for making large, high quality prints. It was also my first use of AutoStakkert!2 (which I LIKE!).
Mosaic of seven subframes, each frame a stack of the best 1666 of 2222 video frames.
Raw video processed in PIPP and converted to .ser files, stacked in AutoStakkert!2, wavelets applied in Registax 6.
Subframes merged with Microsoft ICE. Final processing in Photoshop CC2017.
ASI ZWO290MM Camera
Optolong IR Pass (685nm) Filter - 1.25"
Explore Scientific 3x Barlow lens
Explore Scientific ED80 APO Triplet f/6 Refractor, 480mm focal length
Celestron Advanced VX EQ Mount
Comet C252/P, captured today (2016-04-30) between 0:45h and 2:45h UT in Tenerife, 1180 m altitude. After stacking the subframes I was very surprised by these faint HII regions (unknown to me; perhaps someone can give me some information) at top of the coma and also under the near coma part of the tail (giving false red color to it).
Coma diameter is 37 ' and tail length about 1 degree.
Parallel exposure resulting in a LRGB image.
RGB: 120 x 45 sec, Sony A7s (CentralDS modded), Hyperstar 14"/F1.9, ISO3200, IR block filter
Monochrome: 40 x 180 sec, Starlight Xpress SX-36, RASA 11"/F2.2, L-pro filter
Both mounted at a ASA DDM 85 (unguided)
This is an open cluster in Orion that, when rotated and flipped, resembles the number 37 written in the stars.
Subframes were shot on 2022-01-20 and 01-21. Taken with Optolong RGB filters and an Atik 414-EX mono camera on a Celestron Edge HD 925 with an 0.63x focal reducer. This gives a focal length of 1525 mm.
R channel: 70 frames of 30 s exposures
G channel: 77 frames of 30 s exposures
B channel: 51 frames of 30 s exposures
After preprocessing and compositing the stacks in PixInsight, color was calibrated using the Photometric Color Calibration tool. I played with the saturation a bit and knocked down the background in Photoshop.
In order to advance beyond a somewhat colorless result arising from using a combination of an OSC camera and a broad band LPF, the integrated image was first separated into starless and stars only components, followed by splitting the starless image into its RGB components which were individually weighted and then recombined using LRGB Combination followed by further processing.
Scope: WO Zenith Star 81mm f/6.9 with WO 6AIII Flattener/Focal Reducer x0.8
OSC Camera: ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro at 100 Gain and 50 Offset
Mount: iOptron GEM28-EC
Guider: ZWO Off-Axis Guider
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 174mm mini
Light Pollution Filter: Chroma LoGlow Broadband LPF
Date: 30-31 March 2023 and 2-5 April 2023
Location: Washington D.C.
Exposure: 244x300s subs (= 20.3 hours)
Software: Pixinsight
Processing Steps:
Preprocessing: FITS data > Image Calibration > Cosmetic Correction > Subframe Selector > Debayer > Select Reference Star and Star Align > Image Integration.
Linear Postprocessing: Integrated image > Rotation > Dynamic Crop > Dynamic Background Extractor (subtraction to remove light pollution gradients and division for flat field corrections) > Background Neutralization > Color Calibration > Blur Xterminator > Noise Xterminator.
Nonlinear Postprocessing: Linear postprocessed image > Histogram Transformation > Star Xterminator to separate into Starless and Stars Only images.
Starless image > Histogram Transformation > Noise Xterminator > Local Histogram Equalization > Split RGB Channels > Weight the original channels and use Pixel Math to generate new modified RGB channels.
Apply HDR Multiscale Transform to the L channel (= R channel for broad band image) and the new modified RGB channels.
LRGB combination > LRGB image.
LRGB image > Curves Transformation using color masks > Histogram Transformation (multiple steps as needed) > Local Histogram Equalization (multiple steps as needed) > Final Starless image.
Pixel Math to combine the Final Starless Image and the new Stars Only image > Rejoined image.
Rejoined image > Dark Structure Enhancement > New rejoined image.
New rejoined image > Topaz AI > AI image.
Pixel Math to combine New rejoined image and AI image > Final result.
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Photographed at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
between 02.24 and 02.44 EDT
(285 km by road north of Toronto)
* Altitude of centre of frame at time of exposures: ~12°
* Temperature 14° C.
* Total exposure time: 10 minutes
* 660 mm focal length telescope
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Description:
North is to the upper right in this image, which contains several objects of note.
M8, the Lagoon Nebula, with embedded star cluster NGC 6530 (right side of the frame)
One of the most prominent, large, bright and well known nebulae in the sky is the Lagoon Nebula (M8), which is a favourite target of amateur astronomers with modest telescopes.
From Wikipedia: "The Lagoon Nebula ... is a giant interstellar cloud ... classified as an emission nebula and as an H II region. [It] was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654 and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the eye from mid-northern latitudes. Seen with binoculars, it appears as a distinct oval cloudlike patch with a definite core. Within the nebula is the open cluster NGC 6530.
The Lagoon Nebula is estimated to be between 4,000-6,000 light-years away from the Earth. In the sky of Earth, it spans 90' by 40', which translates to an actual dimension of 110 by 50 light years. ... The nebula contains a number of Bok globules (dark, collapsing clouds of protostellar material), the most prominent of which have been catalogued by E. E. Barnard as B88, B89 and B296."
IC 4678 (directly above M8)
This is a tiny nebula composed of emission (pink) and reflection (blue) components.
NGC 6544 (near centre of frame)
This is a small globular star cluster of magnitude ~7.3, lying at a distance of 9,000-10,00 light years from us..
NGC 6553 (left edge of frame, just below centre)
This is a globular star cluster of magnitude ~8.@, with an unusually low star concentration even at its centre, and lying about 19,600 LY from our solar system. Studies show that it underwent two distinct periods of star formation, resulting in two populations of stars with differing compositions, especially in sodium and aluminum.
For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on the RIGHT side of your screen, or click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/52229322166
To see a wider angle view this and other adjacent nebulae, photographed in Australia in Sept. 2019, click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/49183970671
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Technical information:
Nikon D810a camera body on Tele Vue 127is (127 mm - 5" - diameter) apochromatic telescope, mounted on Astrophysics 1100GTO equatorial mount
Ten stacked frames; each frame:
660 mm focal length
ISO 2500; 1 minute exposure at f/5.2; unguided
With long exposure noise reduction
Subframes stacked in RegiStar;
Processed in Photoshop CS6 (levels, brightness / contrast, colour balance)
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A widefield shot of the ρ Ophiuchi - Antares region showing red emission nebulae, blue and yellow reflection nebulae and dark clouds and tendrils of gas and dust. At the right, above the bright star Antares, is globula cluster M4 which is the nearest to us.
This image is an integration of 105 x 2 minute subframes taken with a QHY268C OSC camera and a WO Redcat51, Image sequencing was managed via SGP and PHD2, all post-processing was carried out in PixInsight.
Observed from Prachinburi, Thailand
SH2-119 is an often overlooked nebula just east of the North American and Pelican nebula. It is quite a bit fainter, but also covered with masses of stars, which overwhelms the nebula itself. The large star at it’s centre is 68 A Cyg which resembles a pearl within the Clamshell.
Taken over four nights in August, comprising Sii, Ha and Oiii narrowband filters of 5 minute and 10 minute subframes totalling 10h hours, plus 30 minutes 30 second subs of RGB for the stars. A challenge to process, particularly with the mass of stars. I think this could really benefit with at least 12 to 15hrs total exposure but not much chance with the current run of cloudy weather. This particular SHO palette is from a quite complicated Pixelmath expression in Pixinsight that produces a reddy orange instead of yellow. Star reduction to reveal the nebula.
30 x Darks, Flats and Bias
Astromiks 50mm SHO 6nm Filters and RGB Filters
ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
ZWO 7x2" EFW
ZWO EAF
Williams Optics GT81 IV
Williams Optics 6A III Field Flattener 0.8
Williams Optics 50mm Uniguide guide scope
ZWO ASI 120MM-S
HEQ5 Pro Rowan
ASIAIR Pro
Astro Pixel Processor
Pixinsight
Photoshop 2021
Topaz DeNoise
This is a colour image of this fascinating region around Orion's belt captured through an 80mm triplet APO refractor using a colour Atik Horizon CMOS camera with a Baader-S filter. I had to wait for both the sky to clear and fireworks displays around me to stop before I could take this image. The image consists of eleven seven-minute subframes stacked. Dark frames have been subtracted but no flats or bias frames used.
Peter
The spread wings of the Crested Caracara provide a subframe for the second Caracara at the top of a cell tower they have frequented over the past week or so. Before they move on, I will take as many pictures as possible. By the way, I’m not really sure if this counts as “subframing.”
Quick stack of 12 subframes , 30 sec each and processing in PI .
Taken on Oct 27 ,2025 from my backyard in Tiny Twp. Canada
Taken in Hydrogen Alpha just before 4pm as the sky was beginning to darken.
This is a stack of 29 subframes taken through my 130mm refractor using an Atik 460 EX mono camera and 0.75 reducer.
Peter
In the news today, AR2941 launched a CME that knocked out 40 Starlink satellites.
Canon EOS 60Da (1/640s, ISO 100)
TeleVue NP101is/2x Power Mate (4", f/10.4)
Losmandy G11
100 subframes captured with Backyard EOS (BYE). CR2 files converted to AVI by PPIP. Best 75% of frames stacked in AutoStakkert! Sharpened in Registax and finished in Photoshop.
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Photographed at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
(285 km by road north of Toronto)
* Temperature 12° C.
* Total exposure time: 8 minutes
* 1200 mm focal length telescope
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Description:
From Wikipedia:
"The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Apple Core Nebula, Messier 27, M 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1,360 light years.
This object was the first planetary nebula to be discovered; by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a popular observing target in amateur telescopes."
What we are seeing is the visible remains of a low-mass star's expelled gaseous outer-envelope, leaving an X-ray hot white dwarf at the centre.
Stars to about 17th magnitude are visible in this image. The central star in the nebula is magnitude 14.0.
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Technical information:
Nikon D810a camera body on Explore Scientific 152 mm (6") apochromatic refracting telescope, mounted on Astrophysics 1100GTO equatorial mount with a Kirk Enterprises ball head
Eight stacked subframes; each subframe:
1200 mm focal length
ISO 4000; 1 minute exposure at f/8; unguided
(with LENR - long exposure noise reduction)
Subframes registered in RegiStar;
Stacked and processed in Photoshop CS6 (levels, brightness, contrast, sharpening)
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or the 1966 season, Ferrari built a new series of 12 lightweight 275 GTB/C racing cars. Even though they outwardly resembled the road-going 275 GTB, the 275 GTB/C was thoroughly revised by Mauro Forghieri and his Scuderia Ferrari engineering team and differed from both the 275 GTB production car and earlier 275 GTB competition cars. Every panel of the body was altered and substantial mechanical changes were made. All 12 were constructed in 1966 between the end of the 275 GTB (two cam) production run and the start of the 275 GTB/4 (four cam) production run.[14]
Forghieri designed a special super-lightweight steel and aluminium version of the 275 GTB chassis, designated Tipo 590 A. The 4-wheel independent suspension was the same design as on the production 275 GTB, but used different shock absorber valving and stiffer springs. The disc brakes were also the same as those used on the production 275 GTB, but with quick-change racing brake pads.[14]
The body appeared superficially very similar to that of the production 275 GTB series II "long nose", but in fact was a completely new lightweight version constructed by Scaglietti. All body panels were changed, including wider front and rear fenders and a slightly shorter nose. The body was constructed from .028 in (0.71 mm) thick aluminium panels joined with rivets. This method of construction allowed easy replacement of body panels after an accident. The body panels were approximately half as thick as the ones used on the 250 GTO and the Shelby Cobra. This made the body lightweight but extremely fragile—even leaning on a 275 GTB/C would dent it. The entire rear section was reinforced by fiberglass to prevent it from flexing at the slightest impact. The 275 GTB/C was equipped with bumpers visually similar to those on the road version, but they were made of much thinner material. The rear bumper lacked an internal supporting subframe and was simply fastened to the bodywork sheetmetal. Other weight-saving measures included removal of cooling fans, holes drilled in many internal panels and frames, plexiglass side and rear windows, thin fiberglass floor panels, and magnesium-framed seats. A 275 GTB/C fully equipped with fluids, spare tyre and tool kit weighs 2,452 lb (1,112 kg). In race trim without spare and tool kit, it can weigh less than 2,350 lb (1,070 kg), a savings of over 150 kg (331 lb) compared to the alloy bodied road cars.[14][23]
Similar to the four 'Competizione Speciales', the 275 GTB/C was powered by a Tipo 213 V12 tuned to 250 LM specification with a special crankshaft, piston, camshaft connecting rods and sodium-filled Nimonic valves. Many engine castings were made from the lightweight magnesium alloy Elektron. Due to an apparent clerical error, Ferrari did not report to the FIA that the production 275 GTB had a six carburetor option, so only a three carburetor engine could be homologated. In order to make up the loss of power from using only three carburetors, Weber constructed the 40 DF13 carburetor. These replaced the six Weber 38 DCN carburetors used on the 250 LM and were unique to the 275 GTB/C. A dry sump lubrication system was also added, allowing the engine to sit lower in the chassis. The Tipo 213 engine in this competition specification produced 275-282 hp (210 kW) at 7500 rpm.[14][23]
The 275 GTB/C did not use the torque tube driveshaft configuration introduced with the 275 GTB series II, instead using a series I-style open driveshaft which made clutch changes easier during endurance races.The clutch itself was strengthened for the added stresses of racing. The transaxle was a similar design to the road version, but used a lightweight magnesium case, close ratio gears, a strengthened ZF limited slip differential and needle bearings (instead of plain bearings) between the gears and the main shaft.[14]
The 275 GTB/C was fitted with specially-made Borrani wire wheels, sized 7" x 15" in front and 7.5" x 15" in the rear. These wheels were fitted with Dunlop's latest "M series" racing tyres. It was this combination that would prove to be the weak spot of the 275 GTB/C; the tyres had so much grip that they could overstress and break the spokes on the wheels. This resulted in several crashes during competition. After the 275 GTB/C, no competition Ferrari would be fitted with wire wheels again. Two of the twelve 275 GTB/Cs built were sold for street use. Unlike the race cars, these street cars were fitted with standard 275 GTB-style alloy wheels with Pirelli tyre Ferrari
(c) Alwyn Greer 2025
09 August 2025
Vienna street photography. 09 August 2025
Café Schwarzenberg is a cool place to hang out and watch people passing by. On this day it was hot so we came inside and the window provided a good frame to use.
Narrowband (Ha Sii Oiii) combination using SHO palette. Processed in Pixinsight and Photoshop, and enhanced in Lightroom.
The weather has still remained bad, so I have been limited in what I can capture (it doesn't help that it's low in the sky and goes behind houses by midnight). I processed what I managed to capture this week.
Doing 5 min exposures, 100 gain. 12xOiii, 6xHa, and only a couple Sii. Given the results from that amount of subframes, I'm looking forward to what I can do when the weather improves.
Equipment: Skywatcher Esprit 100ED, HEQ5-Pro mount, ASI 2600MM Camera, and I had to temporarily switch to .67x flattener because my SkyWatcher one has issues.
These are two images of Neptune taken in the early evening of 19 November. On the left a LRGB video sequence of the best 40% of frames at 15fps for luminance and 12fps for Red, Green and Blue and on the right a stack of 400 luminance subframes at 5 seconds per frame converted from video to still images and stacked to enable the much fainter Triton to be picked up in the imaging. It has also blown out the size of Neptune in consequence although both images were taken at the same magnification.
Neptune is a tricky target at the best of times for close-up imaging. For a variety of reasons from technical equipment issues to weather conditions this is the first time I've successfully managed to pin down a reasonable image of Neptune and Triton in 2017.
Peter
Equipment:
Cooled ZWO ASI174MM mono CMOS camera, LRGB filters, 300mm f/10 LX200 SCT, EQ8 mount.
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Photographed at Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve, Ontario, Canada (200 km by road north of Toronto)
* Temperature 0° C.
* Total exposure time: 6 minutes.
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Description:
I didn't have enough time before I had to pack up my gear and drive two hours back to my home in the city to make more than six subframes for this photo. I would have liked at least ten. So the resolution is not as good as I'd like it to be, but I think that it's not a bad image.
The Rosette Nebula, which lies about 5,000 light years from Earth, is located just to the east of the constellation Orion, and is in the centre of the (northern hemisphere) winter Milky Way. It can just barely be glimpsed in binoculars from a dark-sky location far away from city lights.
From Wikipedia:
"The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is a large, spherical, H II region located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy."
For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on your screen to the RIGHT of the photo, or click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/32743250460
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Nikon D810a camera body on Teleview 101is apochromatic refracting telescope, mounted on Astrophysics 1100GTO equatorial mount.
Six stacked frames; each frame:
* 540 mm focal length
* ISO 3200; 60-second exposure at f/5.4; unguided
(with LENR - long exposure noise reduction)
Stacked in RegiStar;
Processed in Photoshop CS6 (brightness, contrast, levels, colour balance)
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This is a two-panel mosaic of the large California nebula using my 80mm refractor and an Atik Horizon colour camera. This is two stacks of eight-minute subframes, fifteen in total.
Peter
The Lagoon Nebula (M8) and The Trifid Nebula (M20) in the constellation Sagittarius, just north west of the center of the Milky Way. The Lagoon Nebula is a giant star-forming region while The Trifid Nebula is a combination of an emission nebula (red), a reflection nebula (blue) and dark nebula (brown-black regions dividing the emission nebula into three parts). I was only able to capture 11 x 10' subframes before the field of view got too low in the sky and the sun started to rise. Captured using an AT65 refractor, an SBIG ST4000 XCM camera at -5 C and a Losmandy G 11 mount on July 7, 2016.
1965 Jaguar S-type 3.8.
Last taxed in July 2021.
Anglia Car Auctions, King's Lynn -
"V5 Present
MoT Exempt
Chassis number: 1B54494DN
"Finished in Old English white with red leather interior. This desirable 3.8 litre example, with working overdrive, has benefitted from works including the front brakes, master cylinder and handbrake overhaul, engine service, re‑sealing of the steering box and carburettor overhaul. In addition, the rear subframe has been out when new bushes were fitted, both fuel tanks have been removed and overhauled, painted and weather proofed. The interior has previously been subject to a re‑trim and the walnut veneer dash and door cappings remain in very good condition. Comes with a current V5 and Jaguar Heritage certificate. The mileage is recorded at 49,931 and the car registers six owners."
Sold for £11,880 (including premium) on an estimate of £12,000 to £14,000.
Technically Messier 16 is the star cluster in the centre of this image and was one of the early night sky targets distracting Charles Messier in his hunt for comets. It is now better known as the Eagle nebula for the dark bird-like shape in the nebulosity surrounding the cluster. The Eagle shape itself is thanks to the famous Hubble telescope image now more commonly known as the central part of the pillars of creation.
This is a stack of eleven five-minute subframes taken through my 300mm f/10 SCT using an Atik Horizon colour CMOS camera.
Peter
This is a look in Hydrogen Alpha at the intriguing 'Bubble' nebula, NGC 7635. This image is a stack of eleven eight-minute subframes.
Peter
Equipment:
Atik 460EX CCD, Ha filter, 14inch f/10 LX200 SCT, EQ8 mount autoguided with a Lodestar Mk2 off-axis guider.
The Trifid nebula (M20/NGC 6514) at top with the huge Lagoon nebula (NGC 6523) below with several smaller HII regions over at bottom left.
This picture is a mosaic of two panes, each pane being an integration of multiple subframes shot with a William Optics Zenithstar 103 scope and QHY168C OSC camera; an STC multi-spectra LP filter was used. The upper pane is an integration of 236 x 180s frame, the lower pane is 183 x 180s.
Imagiing was managed via Sequence Generator Pro and PHD2, all post-processing was carried out in PixInsight.
Observed from Prachinburi, Thailand
Manufacturer: Auto Union AG / August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH, Zwickau - Germay
Type: 853A Sport Cabriolet
Engine: 4944cc straight-8
Power: 120 bhp / 3.400 rpm
Speed: 135 km/h
Production time: 1938 - 1939
Production outlet: 342
Curb weight: 2631 kg
Special:
- The basic 853 is designed by Horch chief-designer Günther Mickwausch.
- The 853A differs from the 853 through the shortened frame (5 cm) and a renewed subframe to support the radiator. This was done, so other coachbuilders (like Gläser, Baur, Erdmann & Rossi, etc.) could put on easier a Convertible or Coupe.
- The 853A also had a new engine with 120 bhp (instead of 100bhp), a renewed front, a new front suspension with double wishbones and used a DeDion axle rear suspension.
- The most beautifully styled Sport Cabriolet of their era was although expensive, they were cheaper than their Mercedes-Benz rival, the 540K.
- Auto Union was comprised of Horch, DKW, Audi and Wanderer since 1932.
- It has a four-speed manuel gearbox with overdrive by ZF.
- This automobile could be delivered in the colour "Fischsilber" ("silver fish"), a metallic paint in four colours (contained finely ground fish scales).
- When World War II began, production of the Horch Automobiles ceased.
Added to the gallery www.flickr.com/photos/stevepoe/galleries/72157639107186833
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Photographed at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
(285 km by road north of Toronto)
between 23.55 Aug. 1 and 00.11 EDT Aug. 2
* Altitude of centre of frame at time of exposures: ~70°
* Temperature 17° C.
* Total exposure time: 8 minutes
* 105 mm focal length lens
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Description:
High in the northern hemisphere summer sky, the gossamer band of our Milky Way galaxy passes through the constellations Cepheus (to the left) and Cygnus (to the right). This area of the sky is rich with red-pink clouds of glowing ionized hydrogen gas, as well as numerous star cluster and foreground clouds of dark gas.
The distinctively shaped north America Nebula in Cygnus appears in the lower right. The large gas cloud IC 1396 in Cepheus is in the opposite corner. At the upper left edge of IC 1396 is Herschel's Garnet Star, with its striking ochre-orange colour.
For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on your screen to the RIGHT of the photo, or click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/48527625751
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Technical information:
Nikkor AF-S 70-200 mm f/2.8 G ED VRII lens on Nikon D810a camera body, mounted on Astrophysics 1100GTO mount with a Kirk Enterprises ball head
Eight stacked subframes; each frame:
105 mm focal length
ISO 6400; 1 minute exposure at f/4.5, unguided
(with LENR - long exposure noise reduction)
Subframes stacked in RegiStar;
Processed in Photoshop CS6 (levels, brightness, contrast, colour balance)
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Photographed from mid-town Toronto, Canada, at 18.43 EST (Moon altitude: 57° | Sun 14° below the horizon)
* Temperature 4° C.
The sky was reasonably clear, with some thin cirrus cloud, when I was able to get the ten base subframes that make up this view of the Moon high over Toronto early on this mild January evening before the heavier cloud moved in.
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Nikon D850 camera body on Explore Scientific 152 mm (6") apochromatic refracting telescope, mounted on Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 SynScan mount.
Best ten of fourteen identical stacked frames; each frame:
* ISO 100, 1/120 sec. exposure
Stacked in Registax
Processed in Photoshop CS6
(brightness, contrast, sharpening on right side of Moon)
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Unfortunately this failed its last MOT in January 2024 and seems to have been sat here since, replaced as a daily driver by a FIAT 500. The MOT fail sheet is quite long, but the worst item is probably a corroded subframe mount, common on these I think. So definitely saveable. It's been in the same ownership here for a long time, so who knows - maybe it'll come back one day.
I took this image just at the end of astronomical dark on April 10,2021 in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, USA.
The Lagoon Nebula is about 5200 light years from Earth. It is the remnant of an exploded star and as such is a new star forming region - look at all those young (1-2 million years) hot white stars recently formed through gravitational coalescence near the center of the magenta colored cloud. The nebula is an emission nebula, meaning it emits lots of light at the Hydrogen alpha wavelength of 656 nm in the deep red. Other emission lines in the blue from oxygen, mix with the red to make a brilliant magenta. The emission is produced when ionized atoms recombine with free electrons. The atoms become ionized (or driven into an excited state) by ultraviolet light emitted by one or a few of the brighter stars. One in particular, 9 Sagittarii, is nearly 25,000 times brighter than our Sun. The Lagoon nebula is one of several great examples where we can see the life cycle of stars in one image. BTW that’s the Trifid Nebula in the upper right part of the image.
If you can find a really dark place, it is just barely visible to the naked eye ( I was able to see it after the core of the Milky Way was up). It is easily seen in binoculars or a small telescope but still appears gray since the most sensitive part of our retinas don’t see color. It is often seen in wide angle night scape photos of the Milky Way over the landscape and can be easily photographed with a tripod, a normal camera lens and a few seconds of exposure. Look for a purple region.
Photo info: Subframe images collected the early morning hours of April 10, 2021 in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, with a Takahashi FSQ EDX4 telescope and ZWO ASI6200MM cooled 62 megapixel CMOS camera and Chroma filters on a Sky Watcher EQ6 auto-guided equatorial mount under control of a Raspberry Pi computer. The 18 one minute subframe images were calibrated, debayered, registered, integrated and post processed in PixInsight. About 3 hours before these images were taken my autoguider camera failed (bad cable?) so I took these images unguided but limited the exposure to 1 minute since this mount is not great. The image is cropped to about 40% of the original area.
I didn’t do any artificial enhancement to this image to “create art”. I think it is hard in a few minutes to improve on what Mother Nature did over billions of years.
As always please feel free to share any of my images.
Spiral Galaxy in sculptor
Taken at home (Santiago de Chile)
GSO RC 12" on top of a Mi250 mount
Atik383L camera - filter wheel and astrodon filters
ACP-Maxim-focusmax for capture PixInsight for processing
RGB(10h,11h,12.5h) in 10 min subframes
IC 4592 is a large blue reflection nebula lit by the light from the multiple star system ν Scorpii - the brightest star in the frame, just below center.
This photo is another framing failure - the nebula is commonly known as the Blue Horsehead but I have truncated the horse's muzzle (at bottom right). It needs a wider field of view, or a mosaic - I'll maybe try again next year.
Anyway, this image is an integration of 211 x240s subframes captured on a QHY168C OSC with WO Zenithstar 103 scope. An STC multispectra LP filter was used. Imaging was controlled via SGP and PHD2, all post-processing was with PixInsight.
Observed from Prachinburi, Thailand