NGC7293 Helix Nebula

[joshman]

I finally got around to processing the 55 hours of exposure I took earlier in the year. I had tried previously to process this, but my skill in Pixinsight wasn't up to the task. Fortunately, I knuckled down and learnt how to properly stretch my images using GHS, and boy, what a difference it made.


Taken with the Saxon 102 Triplet, ASI2600MM and Antlia Filters all on the AM5.

The processing stack was pretty simple:
Stars:
DBE > LinearFit > ChannelCombination > SPCC > StarX > GHS Stretch the Stars

NB:
LinearFit > BlurX > NoiseX > StarX > GHS to taste > PixelMath into HOO Palette > CurvesTransformation to flavour the colours



I've also included a comparison against my previous attempt at imaging and processing this target. I Like to think this attempt is much better.


Check it on Astrobin to see it big. (https://astrob.in/c796q9/0/)


Thanks for looking and clear skies!

[Spookyer]

Definitely got more signal this time Josh.

[captcha]

Amazing result. Love that contrast.

[Dave882]

Great work. You’ve revealed some lovely deep detail in the surrounding Ha, and also the cometary filaments. :thumbsup:

[joshman]

;) absolutely. much better go at processing as well.


Thank you very much. I think I could do a bit better at the contrast in the core, But I'm pretty content with it for now.


Thanks. I absolutely love the cometary filaments in the centre of the helix. I'm thinking of getting a scope with a heap more reach, and i think the centre of this and the cometary filaments will be very high on my list of targets if i decide to follow through.

[strongmanmike]

Very nice work Josh, nice improvement too :thumbsup:

Mike

[joshman]

Thanks Mike! I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. It's definitely an object that I'll be revisiting over time.

[jaleung]

That’s pretty good considering your focal length!