The Heart Nebula. AKA IC 1805. AKA S2-190. Looking to be around 7500 light years away.

I captured the most light images so far with the Heart Nebula. 41 light images  at 300 seconds or 5 minute exposure. That’s 3.4 hours of capturing.

I was really able to bring out the heart shape during processing of the image.

Processing Steps in Photoshop:

• 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
• Noise reduction and curve adjustment in Camera Raw Filter
• Minimized stars in Photoshop, 3 rounds
• Minimized stars using Astronomy tool – Make Stars Smaller action
• Astronomy tool – Enhanced DSO and Reduce Stars action
• Astronomy tool – Less Crunchy More Fuzzy
• Smart Sharpen filter