Capturing the Veil Nebula: 7+ Hours of Astrophotography with a Smartphone

Prepare to be amazed by the intricate details of the Veil Nebula, a celestial masterpiece brought to life through an extraordinary astrophotography endeavor. This blog post delves into the process and equipment behind a breathtaking image that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with mobile astrophotography.

The Unveiling of the Veil

The Veil Nebula, also known as the Cygnus Loop, is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Cygnus. Its wispy, ethereal appearance makes it a coveted target for astrophotographers. This particular capture achieved an impressive total integration time of 7 hours, 24 minutes, and 30 seconds, allowing for incredible detail and color to emerge.

A Smartphone Takes Center Stage

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the primary imaging device used: the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, specifically its 5x built-in periscope telephoto lens. This showcases the growing power and capability of high-end smartphones in the realm of specialized scientific imaging.

Technical Prowess Behind the Image

Achieving such a detailed image requires meticulous planning and execution. Here's a breakdown of the acquisition and processing details:

• Acquisition Settings:
  • ISO 3200
  • 30-second exposures
  • 889 lights (RAW/DNG format)
  • UHC filter was employed to enhance the visibility of emission nebulae by blocking unwanted light pollution.
• Equipment:
  • EQ mount with OnStep: A stable equatorial mount is crucial for long exposure astrophotography to track celestial objects accurately.
  • SVBONY UHC filter: Essential for capturing nebulae under light-polluted skies.
• Processing Pipeline:
  • Stacked with Astro Pixel Processor (1.5x Drizzle): Astro Pixel Processor is a powerful tool for calibrating, stacking, and processing astronomical images, with drizzle integration helping to resolve finer details.
  • Processed with GraXpert, Siril, and Adobe Camera RAW: A multi-stage processing workflow involving specialized software like GraXpert and Siril for noise reduction and stretching, followed by Adobe Camera RAW for final color correction and refinement.

Pushing the Limits of Mobile Astrophotography

This stunning capture serves as a testament to the rapid advancements in smartphone camera technology and astrophotography techniques. The dedication to accumulating over seven hours of data, combined with sophisticated processing, has resulted in an image that rivals traditional observatory-grade setups.

It's an inspiring example of how accessible and powerful astrophotography has become, encouraging more enthusiasts to explore the wonders of the night sky with the tools at their fingertips.