Capturing the Cygnus Wall in SHO: A First Look with a Mono Camera
Embarking on a new journey in astrophotography often involves investing in new equipment and mastering new techniques. For one dedicated amateur astronomer, that journey has led to the creation of their very first fully processed image using a monochrome camera. The target? The magnificent Cygnus Wall, rendered in the striking SHO (Sulphur, Hydrogen-alpha, Oxygen) color palette.
A New Setup, A New Vision
This project marks a significant milestone, featuring the AT80ED telescope paired with an EQM-35 pro mount and the heart of the setup, an ATR533M cooled monochrome camera. The imaging train is further enhanced by Touptek 6.5nm 1.25" SHO filters and a filter wheel, ensuring precise narrowband captures. Guiding is handled by a ZWO ASI120MM mini and a ZWO mini guide scope, crucial for those long exposures.
The Data Behind the Beauty
The dedication to capturing this celestial wonder is evident in the integration time. The imaging session comprised of 5-minute sub-exposures at a gain of 101, accumulating a total of 13 hours of data. This was broken down as follows:
- Ha (Hydrogen-alpha): 4 hours
- Oiii (Oxygen III): 4 hours 40 minutes
- Sii (Sulphur II): 4 hours 20 minutes
Processing the Cosmos
The collected data was meticulously stacked using DeepSkyStacker (DSS), a reliable tool for combining multiple sub-exposures. The subsequent processing, which brings out the intricate details and vibrant colors, was carried out in Siril. While the artist acknowledges there's still much to learn and improve upon, the satisfaction with the final output is palpable.
Behold the Cygnus Wall in SHO
Here is the breathtaking result of this considerable effort:
This image beautifully showcases the Cygnus Wall, a prominent feature within the constellation Cygnus. The SHO palette allows the distinct emission lines of hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur to shine, creating a visually stunning and scientifically informative representation of this distant cosmic cloud. It's a testament to the power of narrowband imaging and the growing capabilities of amateur astrophotography.
We commend the astrophotographer on this impressive first outing with their monochrome setup and eagerly anticipate future captures!
