This image is a collaboration between my RGB data and Ha narrowband data (Ha filter) taken by
@Aldo Zanetti :
- I took 51 RGB pictures (240s each sub) with my unmod Nikon D5300
- @Aldo Zanetti took 2 panels of 25 pictures each (300s each sub) to cover my field with its setup (FRA600 and ASI1600MM)
We captured this data in just one perfect night with an astonishing seeing that allowed us to capture very subtle details even with a low altitude on the horizon. Then, a long post-processing occurred to find the merging technique that satisfies us the most. We think I reached a good balance between all the nebular structures in this field, highlighting hydrogen alpha emission nebulae while protecting reflection, dark and dusty nebulae.
I processed both RGB and Ha images until non linear phase in Pixinsight. I carefully stretched Ha to highlight faint structures while hiding background signal, then I merged the R channel from my picture with Ha data. To obtain a satisfying balance between broadband and narrowband data I used the max() function in Pixelmath. Therefore, when Ha signal is brighter than broadband it is kept and vice versa. I decided to use this peculiar merging technique to protect the signal coming from dusty and dark nebular structures, that is captured only by the broadband picture and lost in narrowband. Merging was performed on starless images, stars come from my RGB data only.
Clear sky to everyone!
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