Galaxies M81 and M82 through a sea of IFN (Andrew Klinger)

Galaxies M81 and M82 through a sea of IFN

M81 (Bode's Galaxy) and M82 (Cigar Galaxy) pair can be seen in bottom right of this frame. What is seen as the brighter background throughout the frame is actually dust and other elements known as the Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN). IFN actually sits above our galactic plane and is illuminated by our galaxy as a whole, rather than emitting its own light or being illuminated by a bright star.

Equipment:

OTA: William Optics GT81 w/0.8x reducer/flattener (382mm fl at f/4.7)

74mm aperture stop-down ring (brings scope to f/5.2)

Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G (HEQ-5)

Guidescope: Orion 50mm guidescope

Guiding camera: Orion StarShoot Autoguider

Imaging camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool

Accessories:

QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software:

SGP

PHD2

CdC

PixInsight

Acquisition:

Location: Ft. Griffin State Historic Park, TX (Bortle 2)

Dates: 4/7/21, 4/9/21, 4/10/21

Gain: 76 Offset: 15 for LRGB

Camera temp: -10C

L: 109x300" ZWO 1.25in

R: 51x300" ZWO 1.25in

G: 50x300" ZWO 1.25in

B: 49x300" ZWO 1.25in

Total integration time: 21hr 35min

64x darks per calibration (master from library)

30x flats per calibration

200x bias per calibration (master from library)

Preprocessing:

Batch PreProcessing script to generate calibrated images

StarAlignment

ImageIntegration

DynamicCrop each master

DBE each master

Luminance Processing:

Deconvolution

ArcsinhStretch x2

HistogramTransformation

LocalHistogramEqualization

HDRMultiscaleTransform

MLT sharpening

Created a starless copy using StarNet

Blended starless with L with PixelMath function "F=0.4; (1-(1-$T)*(1-s)*F)+($T*~F)". (s=starless photo)

MorphologicalTransformation to reduce star size slightly

UnsharpMask to sharpen stars slightly

Preparing separate R,G,B masters for combination (applied to each master individually):

TGV & MMT noise reduction (via Jon Rista's method)

LinearFit to B master

Created RGB image with ChannelCombination

RGB Processing:

BackgroundNeutralization

ColorCalibration

SCNR Green

ArcsinhStretch x2

HistogramTransformation

CurvesTransformation for contrast and background balance

CurvesTransformation for saturation

MorphologicalTransformation to reduce star size slightly

Combined RGB with Luminance using LRGBCombination

LRGB Processing:

SCNR Green

CurvesTransformation for final saturation adjustments

ACDNR

	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

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Status	Basic success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	4409946
PixInsight job	n/a
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	n/a

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