2020.11.02 – Pacman Nebula
Gear
- Telescope – Meades 70mm Series 6000 Refractor
- Main Camera – ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- Filter – Optolong 2″ L-Enhance
- Mount – HEQ5
- Guide Scope – ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope
- Guide Camera – ZWO ASI290MM
- Controller – ZWO ASIAir Pro
Acquisition
- 40 Light Images at 120 gain, 300s exposure
- 30 Dark Images
- 200 Bias Images
- No Flats
The Pacman Nebula. AKA NGC 281. AKA SH2-184. AKA IC 11. About 9500 light years away.
Who doesn’t love a classic video game. I like how a star is almost in good position to act as an eye.
Processing this image was pretty straight forward. I used DeepSkyStacker to stack the images. No flats here still. One day I’ll use flats but I seem to be doing ok without them at the moment. I think everyone that starts this hobby says that to themselves.
Then in Photoshop I did the following:
- Color Balance
- Curve adjustments
- Gradient correction using GradientXTerminator
- Saturation Boost
- Vibrance Boost
- Noise Reduction using Astronomy tool – Space Noise Reduction action
- Noise Reduction using Astronomy tool – Deep Space Noise Reduction action
- Sharpening
- Minimized stars in Photoshop
- Minimized stars using Astronomy tool – Make Stars Smaller action
Overall, I like how this image came out. I can clearly see Pacman in the nebula.
Live concerts have a special magic. No recording can ever capture that raw energy of the crowd and the artist performing in the moment.
Japan is definitely on my bucket list! The mix of tradition and modernity is fascinating, and the food alone is enough reason to visit.
A good book isn’t just entertainment—it’s a portal to another world. The best stories stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Nothing beats homemade pasta. The texture and flavor are just on another level compared to store-bought versions. Cooking from scratch is truly an art.
Every expert was once a beginner. Keep pushing forward, and one day, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. Progress is always happening, even when it doesn’t feel like it.