Beyond Expectations: Smartphone Astrophotography Captures the Veil Nebula

Astrophotography, the art of capturing celestial wonders, has long been associated with specialized and expensive equipment. However, a recent project has dramatically rewritten this narrative, showcasing the astonishing capabilities of a modern smartphone in capturing a deep-sky object as intricate as the Veil Nebula.

This remarkable image, a testament to ingenuity and patience, was captured using a Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone, specifically utilizing its 5x periscope telephoto lens. The result is a stunning visualization of the Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant located in the constellation Cygnus.

The Technical Feat

The integration time for this image is nothing short of impressive: a staggering 14 hours, 4 minutes, and 30 seconds. This wasn't achieved in a single continuous shot, but rather through the meticulous stacking of 1689 individual light frames, each exposed for 30 seconds at ISO 3200. Crucially, a UHC (Ultra High Contrast) filter was employed to enhance the visibility of the nebula's faint structures against the night sky.

The process involved capturing not only the light frames but also essential calibration frames: darks and biases. These are vital for reducing noise and correcting sensor-related artifacts, a standard practice in serious astrophotography.

The Gear That Made it Possible

While the smartphone is the star of the capture, it's supported by a well-configured setup:

• Smartphone: Xiaomi 13 Ultra (5x periscope telephoto)
• Mount: Equatorial (EQ) mount with OnStep for precise tracking
• Filter: SVBONY UHC filter

The equatorial mount is the cornerstone of this achievement, allowing the camera to precisely track the apparent motion of the stars across the sky. Without this, even short exposures would result in star trails, rendering detailed nebulae impossible to capture. The UHC filter plays a critical role in isolating the emission lines of the nebula, effectively cutting out light pollution and enhancing contrast.

The Software Pipeline

Post-processing is where the magic truly happens, transforming raw data into the breathtaking image we see. The captured RAW/DNG files were processed through a sophisticated software pipeline:

• Stacking: Astro Pixel Processor (APP) was used for stacking the numerous light frames, employing a 2x drizzle technique to increase resolution.
• Processing: GraXpert, Siril, and StarXTerminator were utilized for noise reduction, stretching the data to reveal faint details, and sharpening the image. Finally, Photoshop was used for final color adjustments and touches.

Pushing the Limits

This project was driven by a spirit of curiosity and a desire to explore the capabilities of readily available technology. It proves that with the right knowledge, patience, and a robust tracking system, even a smartphone can be a powerful tool for capturing the wonders of the cosmos.

For those inspired to embark on their own astrophotography journey, resources like the r/AskAstrophotography subreddit and books like "The Deep-Sky Imaging Primer" by Charles Bracken offer excellent starting points.

This achievement is a thrilling development in the democratisation of astrophotography, opening new avenues for aspiring astronomers and photographers worldwide.