The Cosmic Koala in the Lobster's LairNGC 6357, also known as the Lobster Nebula or War and Peace Nebula, is a diffuse nebula located approximately 5,500 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. The nebula spans about 400 light-years across and is a rich region of star formation, containing many young, massive stars.
This nebula is particularly known for hosting a cluster of massive stars called Pismis 24. Some of the stars within Pismis 24 are amongst the most massive stars known.
Within the complex structure of this nebula, a distinct feature has been observed that resembles a koala bear. "The Cosmic Koala," formation adds an intriguing visual element to the nebula. The resemblance to a koala may be attributed to pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon where familiar shapes or patterns are perceived in random or unrelated objects. Some well-known examples of nebulae exhibiting pareidolia includes The Horsehead Nebula, The Witch Head Nebula, The Cat's Eye Nebula and The Elephant's Trunk Nebula to name a few!
In case you are struggling to see the Koala let me help you:
The Cosmic Koala and the Lobster Nebula together offer a fascinating example of how our minds seek to make connections between the vast universe and the world as we know it. While the focus of scientific inquiry remains on understanding the physical processes at work within the nebula, this unique feature serves as an interesting point of engagement for those like me interested in astronomy, art and the wonders of the cosmos.
Processing:When it comes to processing my astrophotography images, I have developed a reliable routine. I begin by dithering each frame during the acquisition stage and discarding any frames that are not absolutely perfect. During the stacking phase, I employ 2x drizzling, not due to undersampling, but to upsample the data. This technique aids in resolving finer details in processes like deconvolution.
This concept of upsampling is prevalent in the audio mixing world, which is my professional background. In audio processing, it is especially beneficial for tasks such as equalization, which can be compared to the "sharpening" tool of astrophotography. Audio upsampling often involves increasing the sample rate up to 4x, processing the data, and then downsampling back to the original rate. Similar effects can be achieved in astrophotography through convolution and sharpening techniques.
The next steps involve a meticulous pre-processing routine in PixInsight, followed by assembly and color grading in Photoshop. This process typically takes me about a day per image. However, I must admit that I encountered some challenges with this particular image, requiring multiple attempts and a few days of work to achieve the desired result. Patience, ample coffee, and the occasional glass of wine help keep me focused and energized.
Once the processing is complete, I export high-resolution master files for printing purposes. Then, I revert the images to their original camera resolution to create digital masters for online publishing. I usually spend some time contemplating the final image with a glass of wine, letting it rest overnight before evaluating it with fresh eyes the following day. If I'm still satisfied with the outcome, I proceed to publish the image.
Comments