The Eastern Veil Nebula: NGC 6992, NGC 6995, and IC 1340

Prepare to be mesmerized by the intricate beauty of the Eastern Veil Nebula, a celestial masterpiece captured through the lens of dedicated astrophotography. This image showcases the awe-inspiring structures of NGC 6992, NGC 6995, and IC 1340, remnants of a supernova explosion that occurred thousands of years ago.

Unveiling the Cosmic Canvas

This spectacular capture was made possible by a carefully selected array of equipment, demonstrating the power of modern astrophotography technology:

• Telescope: Askar 103APO with a 0.8x reducer, resulting in a focal length of 560mm and an aperture ratio of F/5.4.
• Nebula Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme filter, crucial for isolating the specific wavelengths of light emitted by ionized hydrogen and oxygen.
• Main Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro, a high-performance monochrome camera known for its excellent low-light capabilities.
• Guiding Setup: ZWO Mini Guide Scope paired with a ZWO ASI120MM guide camera for precise tracking.
• Mount: ZWO AM5N mount, providing stability and accurate pointing for long exposures.
• Control System: ZWO ASIAir, a versatile unit for controlling the entire imaging chain.
• Focuser: ZWO EAFN, ensuring sharp focus throughout the imaging session.

The Imaging Process

The acquisition of this image involved a significant dedication of time and effort. The data was collected over two nights, with six hours of exposure time captured on the most recent night. An additional 45 minutes were acquired on a previous night before cloud cover interrupted the session.

The image stacking and processing were meticulously carried out using PixInsight. The astrophotographer employed a familiar workflow, previously used for an equally stunning image of the Wizard Nebula, highlighting a consistent and effective approach to deep-sky processing. The result is a testament to the power of meticulous planning, advanced equipment, and skilled post-processing in revealing the hidden wonders of the universe.