M27: A Glimpse of the Dumbbell Nebula Under Challenging Skies
Even with just half an hour of clear skies and under the challenging conditions of Bortle 8 skies in central Birmingham, UK, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) puts on a spectacular show.
This image represents the "first light" with a new refractor telescope, and the results are quite captivating, demonstrating the power of modern astrophotography equipment and techniques.
Capturing the Dumbbell Nebula
The acquisition process for this image involved a Lumix GH5 (unmodified) paired with a Sky Watcher 72ED telescope and an Altair Tri-band filter. The mount used was a Sky Watcher Star Adventurer, allowing for precise tracking during the exposures.
Acquisition Details:
- Camera: Lumix GH5 (unmodified)
- Optics: Sky Watcher 72ED with Altair Tri-band filter
- Mount: Sky Watcher Star Adventurer
- Exposures: 35 x 30" (total integration time of 17.5 minutes)
- ISO: 6400
Processing the Image
The post-processing workflow involved several key steps to bring out the details of the nebula.
Processing Steps:
- Stacking: DeepSkyStacker (DSS) was used for stacking the individual light frames.
- Calibration and Enhancement: Siril was employed for Photometric Colour Calibration and Background Extraction to ensure accurate colors and remove unwanted gradients.
- Final Touches: Adobe Photoshop was used for applying StarXTerminator and NoiseXTerminator, tools that help in isolating stars and reducing noise respectively, resulting in a cleaner and more refined final image.
This effort showcases how dedication and the right tools can yield impressive results, even when facing limitations like light pollution and short observation windows.
