The Veil Nebula (Sh2-103) (JDJ)

The Veil Nebula (Sh2-103)

Imaged the Veil Nebula (Sh2-103) on the nights of October 22-24, 2023. I've imaged this target on several occasions, but wanted to try again using the ASI33MC Pro for the first time as well as try out some new image processing tools including PixInsight's Narrowband Normalization process. The narrowband normalization process is pretty amazing and results is much better narrowband palette images than I have been creating by processing narrowband channels independently and then combining. Highly recommend giving it a try if you haven't already...

Imaged with 85mm/F1.4 Rokinon at F/2.8, UVIRcut and Optolong LeNhance dual narrowband filters, and ZWO ASI 533MC Pro.

Total integration time of ~8.5 hours:
UVIRC filter = 39 subs at Gain = 100 with an exposure time of 240 seconds
LENH NB filter = 89 subs at Gain = 100 with an exposure time of 240 seconds

All images pre-processed using Pixinsight's weighted batch pre-processing script (WBPP) to perform calibration, debayering, registration, local normalization, and integration. Background removed using GradXpert.

OSC RGB image processing (for stars): Initial post-processing in Pixinsight: spectrophotometric color calibration, blur x terminator, and noise x terminator. Generated stars only version using StarXTerminator. Histogrram stretch using STF stretch parameters.

Narrowband image processing (for nebulosity): Initial post-processing in Pixinsight: BlurXterminator and NoiseXterminator. Generated starless version using StarXterminator. Masked stretch, generalized hyperbolic stretch, curves adjustment, and narrowband normalization process (Mode 1 for SHO palette style image, Mode 2 for HOO palette style image). Final image generated by combining OSC RGB stars only and HOO starless images using Pixelmath process.

Original version: Veil nebula image generated from HOO-style narrowband nebula and OSC RGB stars images

Rev B: Veil nebula narrowband HOO-style starless image

Rev C: Veil nebula image generated from SHO-style narrowband nebula and OSC RGB stars images

Rev D: Veil nebula narrowband SHO-style starless image

Final
Original
B
C
D

B

Description: Veil nebula narrowband HOO-style starless image

Uploaded: ...

C

Description: Veil nebula image generated from SHO-style narrowband nebula and OSC RGB stars images

Uploaded: ...

D

Description: Veil nebula narrowband SHO-style starless image

Uploaded: ...

Optolong L-eNhance filter
Suburban Astrophotography
The OSC Club (One Shot Camera)
Camera Lens Astrophotography
Starless Images
ASI533MC Pro
Duo-band, Tri-band, and Quad-band Imaging
Cloudy Nights

	Distinct awarded users	Total awarded images
Image of the day
Top picks
Top pick nominations

	Image of the day	Top pick	Top pick nominations	Total submitted
Deep sky
Solar system
Extremely wide field
Star trails
Northern lights
Noctilucent clouds
Landscape

	Image of the day	Top pick	Top pick nominations	Total submitted
Backyard
Traveller
Own remote observatory
Amateur hosting facility
Public amaeteur data
Professional, scientific grade data
Mix of multiple sources
Other
Unknown

Submitted The date and time when you submitted this image for IOTD/TP consideration.	...
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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	8736891
PixInsight job	K74DGKMUT833UJ94GPBR1IOSCT5QCSLH
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	20h50m36s.34
RA (top/left)	21h01m35s.22
RA (top/right)	20h29m06s.30
RA (bottom/right)	20h40m39s.22
RA (bottom/left)	21h11m05s.65

Dec (center)	+30°59′53″.1
Dec (top/left)	+35°31′38″.9
Dec (top/right)	+33°13′19″.6
Dec (bottom/right)	+26°25′21″.7
Dec (bottom/left)	+28°33′15″.4

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