M20 Triffid nebula

[vic4loc (Victor)]

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 (David)]

Lovely image. The colour is fantastic!

[Startrek (Martin)]

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 (Victor)]

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 (Martin)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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