A Piece of the Veil: A Dualband Astrophotography Triumph
As a passionate astrophotographer, the quest for greater detail and clarity is a constant pursuit. My latest project, "A Piece of the Veil," represents a significant leap forward, thanks to my new Stellarvue SVX102T refractor and a dedicated dualband imaging approach.
A New Level of Detail
This image marks my first complete dualband filter project, and the upgrade from my previous refractor is truly remarkable. The SVX102T has allowed me to capture an astonishing level of detail in the Veil Nebula, showcasing its intricate structures with newfound precision.
The Acquisition Process
The journey to this image involved approximately 32 hours of integration time, capturing Ha and Oiii data using Antlia ALP-T HaOiii filters. While I initially planned for 100 hours, other celestial objects are calling, and this dataset already provides a compelling view.
My setup for this project included:
- Mount: EQ6-R Pro
- Telescope: Stellarvue SVX102T-R Refractor
- Camera: ASI294MC Cooled Camera
- Guiding Scope: Stellarvue 50mm Guide Scope
- Guide Camera: ASI174MM Guide Camera
- Filters: Antlia ALP-T HaOiii
- Accessories: ZWO CAA, EFW, EAF, ZWO Asiair
Acquired under Bortle 5-6 skies, the data was processed using PixInsight, with a special mention to the introduction of GHS (Generalized Hyperbolic Stretching) which has made a substantial difference in revealing subtle details. I might have pushed the stretch a little further than intended, but the compression on Reddit often helps to mitigate any over-processing.
Addressing Star Details
An interesting aspect of this capture was the star treatment. In my enthusiasm, I initially forgot to capture RGB stars to blend with the narrowband data. However, the stars as they are, processed with StarXterminator and a gentle stretch, have turned out surprisingly well. This is something I've noticed with the Antlia dualband filters – the stars integrate more naturally than when I combine Ha and Oiii into an SHO palette. It's a reminder that even overlooked steps can sometimes lead to pleasant surprises, though going back for RGB stars is definitely a step I'll be incorporating more consistently for optimal results.
What's Next?
This project has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm already planning to set up an AstroBin profile to showcase this and future endeavors. The pursuit of deeper integration times and refining processing techniques continues, but for now, I'm thrilled with this "Piece of the Veil."
