Chasing Stephan's Quintet: A Journey to Dark Skies and Astounding Results
There's a certain magic in venturing into the unknown for the sake of a passion. For one astrophotographer, that passion led them to the middle of nowhere, to a designated dark sky park, for the first time. The experience was a stark contrast to city life: dark, solitary (at times, completely alone for days), and undeniably cold. With no cell signal and a healthy dose of uncertainty, friends with military backgrounds had warned of the risks. Yet, the allure of capturing Stephan's Quintet, a target they had admired for two years, was too strong to resist.
The Voyage to the Dark
The commitment to this celestial pursuit involved a significant trek. For five consecutive nights, the photographer drove 2.5 hours each way from Chicago to reach the dark sky park. The goal was singular: to acquire the data needed for an image of Stephan's Quintet that had been in the making for two years.
The Technical Pursuit: Acquisition and Processing
The dedication paid off, and the results speak for themselves. The photographer shared the detailed acquisition and processing information, highlighting the significant difference in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achievable in a Bortle 2 environment compared to the light-polluted skies of Chicago – an astonishing five times better.
Equipment used included:
- Telescope: EDGE HD 8 w/0.7x reducer
- Camera: ASI294MM (binned 2x) for imaging, ASI174MM for guiding
- Mount and Control: AM5N, ASIAIR Pro
Acquisition details:
- Luminance (L): 13 hours
- Red (R): 5.5 hours
- Green (G): 4 hours
- Blue (B): 6 hours
- Sub-exposures: 3 minutes each
Processing workflow:
The collected data was stacked using 2x drizzle and meticulously processed in PixInsight. This involved applying BlurX, NoiseX, and careful adjustments to curves and saturation. The luminance data was then combined with the RGB data to create the final stunning image.
For those interested in the finer technical details of the acquisition process, more information can be found here:
This image is a testament to the power of dark skies, perseverance, and a passion for capturing the wonders of the universe. The outcome is truly superb, a reward well worth the journey.
