M20 Triffid nebula

[vic4loc]

The M20 Triffid nebula, taken over 3 nights 1-3 May 2023, 80x 300s subs (6.6 hrs)





Scope: FSQ106-EDXIII
Camera: ASI533MC Pro - Optolong L-enhance filter
OAG with ASI120Mini
ZWO AM5
Home observatory - Sydney suburb Bortle 7
Processed in Pixinsight, BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator, StarXterminator

[Dave882]

Lovely image. The colour is fantastic!

[Startrek]

That’s a really nice Trifid with some subtle detail exposed
Well done !!
I’m also a OSC imager ( ZWO2600MC ) but prefer to tackle the Trifid as a broadband target with no filters to bring out the emission reds , reflection blues and dark nebulosity blacks.
My previous L Extreme and current Antlia Dualband filter whilst exposing some good nebulosity detail in heavy LP seems to hinder the dark nebulosity and the rich reds and blues , they end up being pinks and emerald
Anyway each to their own , colour is always subjective, maybe try it next time with just a luminance or UV/IR cut filter as I don’t think the 533MC has one ( my 2600MC does as standard) You maybe pleasantly surprised with the extra detail

Cheers
Martin

[vic4loc]

Thank you Martin/David, sorry haven't been on the forum for a while.



Being in a light polluted bortle 7/8 Sydney suburb, I have to use the filters otherwise the light pollution overwhelm the subject, the negative side of filters is that they screw up the colours as you mentioned :) Would really like to get to a dark site to try imaging with minimal filter one day.


Victor.

[Startrek]

Hi Victor,
This image of M20 was taken at my main residence backyard in Sydney last week under Bortle 8 skies using my 8” newt , ZWO2600MC with UV/IR cut protective window only and 3.5 hours of 60 sec subs with calibration frames, dithering is a must too.
Refer my early post in Deep Sky Section

You don’t necessarily have to go to a dark site to get reasonable results
You just need to capture through the new moon period and collect loads of data
Startools does a superb job of mitigating the gradients to leave you with a clean image to work with for your final processing
It can be done successfully

Cheers
Martin


Cheers
Martin