Imaged the Sh2-86 over the course of four nights in November 2023. Per WIkipedia (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_6820_and_NGC_6823):[b] [/b]"NGC 6820 is a small reflection nebula near the open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula. The reflection nebula and cluster are embedded in a large faint emission nebula called Sh 2-86. The whole area of nebulosity is often referred to as NGC 6820."
Imaged with a William Optics GT81 at F4.7 (382 mm focal length) using Flat6A II field flattener/0.8x reducer, Optolong LeNhance dual narrowband and UVIR cut filters, and ZWO ASI 533MC Pro.
Total integration time of ~8 hours:
LENH NB filter = 79 subs at Gain = 100 with an exposure time of 300 seconds
UVIR cut filter = 57 subs at Gain = 100 with an exposure time of 120 seconds
Processing:
- 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. Initial post-processing in Pixinsight: spectrophotometric color calibration, blur x terminator, and noise x terminator.
- RGB stars image processing (UVIR cut filter data): Masked stretch with background target set to 0.1. Generated stars only version using StarXterminator.
- Starless image processing (narrowband data): Generated starless version using StarXterminator. Masked stretch (target background = 0.1), generalized hyperbolic stretch, curves adjustment, and ezHDR script. Narrowband normalization process (Mode 1) used to generate SHO palette style image.
- Final image generated by combining stars only and starless images using Pixelmath process.
Original version: Sh2-86 in HOO
Rev B: Sh2-86 in HOO, starless
Rev C: Sh2-86 in HOO, H-alpho data, starless
Rev D: Sh2-86 SHO style
Rev E: Sh2-86 SHO style, starless
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