It’s been nearly 3 years since I last imaged the Cats Paw and back then was using my OSC ZWO2600MC.
This time was with my Mono gear ZWO 2600MM and Antlia 3nm filters.
It’s been cloudy for the last 6 weeks or so however a couple of clear nights at the beginning of June allowed me to gather enough data to process a reasonable image.
The Oiii signal on this object is really weak. In hindsight I should have push longer Oiii subs to improve signal and peg back the noise.
Overall fairly pleased with results.
Bortle 8 City Suburban location
Waxing Moon 20% to 50%
Seeing conditions average to good
Telescope 8” f5 Klaus Helmerich Carbon Fibre Newtonian ( Self Built ) focal length 1050mm
Mount Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro
Imaging camera ZWO2600MM cooled to -10C , Gain 100 HCG
TS Optics GPU coma corrector with Beamtech 15mm spacing ring
Antlia 3nm filters
PHD2 Multistar guiding ( 0.40 to 0.50 arc sec total )
Orion 60mm guide scope with helical focuser
ZWO EFW 7 x 2”
ZWO EAF focuser
Tracking and Goto EQMOD and Stellarium
Aquisition and Capture , APT
Ha 102 x 2 min dithered subs
Oiii 108 x 2 min dithered subs
Sii 90 x 2 min dithered subs
Full Calibration Suite
Darks from Library
Flats for Ha , Oiii and Sii
Flat Darks for Ha , Oiii and Sii
Total integration 10 hours
Subs reviewed in ASTAP
Subs analysed, calibrated , stacked and aligned in ASTAP
Post processed in Startools version 1.8 via Compose module using Luminance / Color : L + Synthetic L from RGB , RGB.
Used a HOO preset in the Color module for this image
Also tried the Flux module in Startools for the very first time with pleasing results.
Description of Flux Module
Flux: Automated Astronomical Feature Recognition and Manipulation
The Flux module allows for fully automated analysis and subsequent processing of DSO’s to augment, enhance and optimise detail. The unique ( non AI ) algorithm pin points features in an image that have recurring fractal patterns eg: Gas flows and Filaments etc… then through flux prediction , can plausibly predict missing detail in seeing limited data.
The outputs of this detail relate to Noise reduction , Sharpening and Detail enhancement. The algorithm knows exactly where it should apply fractal flux and provides an optimum default output. It’s up the user to throttle the various outputs to personal taste. Like all Startools modules there are no AI based Algorithms.
Astrobin link below for full resolution……,
https://www.astrobin.com/dpcwm4/
Also attached are various other versions in SHO , HOO , Synthetic LRGB , Synthetic Luminance etc…,
NB: This image is presented as documentary astrophotography and has not use any AI enhanced or AI assisted technology during post processing.
Thanks for Looking
Comments welcome
Martin