M27 (Dumbbell Nebula)
A lesson in observation and ruthless editing to improve definition.
Equipment:
250 mm f/8 RCT (2,000 mm focal length)
QSI 683 (Kodak KAF8300 sensor)
QSI filter wheel (Astrodon filters)
Starlight Xpress Lodestar off-axis guider
Paramount MX mount
Software: (Windows 10)
Sequence Generator Pro, ASCOM drivers
TheSkyX Professional , PHD2
PixInsight (Mac OSX), Photoshop CS6
Exposure: (HOLRGB)
Hα, OIII bin 1; 25 × 1,200 seconds,
L bin 1; 50 × 300 seconds, RGB bin 2; 25 × 300 seconds each
Planetary nebula, formed by an expanding glowing shell of ionized gas radiating from an old red giant, are fascinating subjects to image. Rather than form an amorphous blob, many take on amazing shapes as they grow. M27 is a big, bright ...
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