2022.10.03 – SH2-171
Gear
- Telescope – Meade 70mm Series 6000 Refractor
- Main Camera – ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- Filter –Radian Triad Ultra Quad-Band Narrowband Filter
- Mount – HEQ5
- Guide Scope – ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope
- Guide Camera – ZWO ASI290MM
- Controller – ZWO ASIAir Plus
Acquisition
- 30 Light Images at 120 gain, 300s exposure
- 5 Dark Images
- 5 Bias Images
- 10 Flat Images
Let me start things off by saying this is my first image of 2022. There are a number of reasons for that but lets not get into that right now. I started this site over the summer and, I have to admit, was very slow of posting the work I have done so far. It was about a year and half of images to post and remember (if I could) any details. I ended up taking my fine time doing so. But I finally have every image I have done so far and no I can really begin keeping a log of my work moving forward. Also it is fall here in Georgia and the weather has just been so awesome. For Georgia Fall is probably my favorite time of the year. We have had a lot of consecutive clear skies and really the perfect time to set the telescope up after being away all year long.
First target to image after a long break was SH2-171. I’m using my usual gear. Except now I am using the ASIAir Plus. Oh man it is such an upgrade from the AsiAir Pro. I am really impressed with it. I was able to get 30 light images at 300s exposure with 5 dark, 5, bias, and 10 flats. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker. Processed via Photoshop. The final result is above. It’s been awhile messing around in photoshop as well as my imaging gear. But it was pretty nice to get back into things, review some old notes, and image deep space objects again.
I’ve imaged SH2-171 before on 2020.12.18.
My current image definitely is more sharp than my first attempt. That was almost 2 years ago and also when I first started this hobby. But for example, I can see the stars slightly trailing in my 2020 image. It’s also a little burry. Or it could be a bad image file too that was stretched out on the site. My image today just has more details and it’s mainly I’m being more patient and selective in the post processing. I am trying not to rush through steps. At the same time I could get things sharper. Some astrophotography have some incredible detail and I know some of it is from techniques I have yet to learn. Or maybe I just need to finally sit down and learn PixInsight? I hear it’s worth taking the time to do so.
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