NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1 (Gary JONES)

Celestial hemisphere: Southern · Constellation: Aquarius (Aqr) · Contains: HD212743 · HD212783 · HD212820 · HD212890 · HD212949 · HD212970 · HD212980 · HD213032 · HD213055 · HD213056 · HD213069 · HD213070 · HD213168 · HD213328 · HD213432 · HD213452 · HD213487 · HD213500 · HD213538 · Helix Nebula · NGC 7293

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NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

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NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

This is a new image of the Helix Nebula, created using a set of subs originally captured on 11 September 2021. I've included it here as a new image rather than a revision, because it is a different interpretation of the nebula.

The original 60 subs were stacked using SiriL, after eliminating subs with satellite streaks or with FWHM > 4.4. The stack was then processed using StarTools*.

The processed stack was then cropped using Affinity Photo, with some very subtle changes to brightness and contrast to soften the background.

Most importantly, none of the colours in this image were manually altered - so this image reflects a more natural red for Ha, and a nice cyan/teal for OIII.

I'm still not 100% happy with the dynamic range of the background or the stars, so I plan to image the Helix again next month, this time using a mono camera and LRGB/SOH filters.

* A huge 'thank you' to Ivo from StarTools for his help in getting me started with his amazing software.

Original
Final
G

G

Description: This revision softens the background stars and enhances their natural colour, and lifts the background very slightly above 'pure' black.

I was pleased to resolve some of the subtle detail of the Helix, including the outer halo, which is just visible on the upper/right side of the nebula.

I think this is the best that can be done with this data set - but I hope to revisit this subject - one of my favourites - again next month.

Uploaded: ...

Australian Astrophotographers
Mac Users Group

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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	6107139
PixInsight job	A35OOZ0BEEJKA7Q8GXMTI2MP7CR5A4QT
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	22h29m38s.93
RA (top/left)	22h32m29s.90
RA (top/right)	22h32m50s.82
RA (bottom/right)	22h26m51s.10
RA (bottom/left)	22h26m24s.20

Dec (center)	-20°50′11″.7
Dec (top/left)	-21°55′31″.0
Dec (top/right)	-19°48′28″.10
Dec (bottom/right)	-19°44′44″.6
Dec (bottom/left)	-21°51′43″.3

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NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

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NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

NGC 7293 = Helix Nebula - Revisited #1

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