The California Nebula in Hydrogen Alpha
Characteristics:
Magnitude: 5.0
Size: 2.7 degrees
Distance: 1000 light years
RA: 4h 03m 14s
Dec: 36 degrees 22' 03"
Description:
Please click here
for more information about this object from the SEDS database.
The large size of this object makes it difficult to capture its
entire extent with my current set up, although I tried to frame the
most interesting area containing many tendrils of hydrogen gas,
associated dust regions, and shadows.
Photographic Details:
Dates: February 16, 2004
Scope: Takahashi Sky 90 at f4.5 with field flattener/focal
reducer, piggybacked on LX90 (which is mounted on a Meade Superwedge).
Autoguider: STV with e-finder.
Camera: SXV-H9.
Filter: Hydrogen Alpha (Astronomik).
Exposures: Ha: 11 x 5'
Conditions: Temperature 18 degrees F; average transparency;
average seeing; dry; calm.
Post-processing: No dark or
bias frames used. Two-star aligned in MaximDL; Sigma combine
using Sigma Reject MaximDL plug-in developed
by Russell Croman, followed by
DDP
adjustment in ImagesPlus. Levels
and curves adjustments in Photoshop CS. Smoothing
performed using the Neat Image plug in (v3.17 Pro Plus), followed by
selective
unsharp masking of certain areas. This one was fun to process,
especially
with curves, since there are lots of subtle shadows within the nebula
that
are just waiting to be discovered (and easy to miss). I like the
drama
of a black and white, hydrogen alpha shot for these kinds of objects.
Please
note: Graphics on this website may not be reproduced without
author
permission.
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