M31 Dual Band: A Glimpse of Andromeda's Nebulae from Home
As astrophotographers, we often dream of capturing the vastness and beauty of celestial objects. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a perennial favorite, offering a breathtaking spectacle of stars and nebulae.
In this post, I want to share a recent endeavor: capturing M31 using L-Enhance dual band filters from my own backyard. Even with a Bortle 5 sky, the goal is to gather the Ha data that will later be integrated with broadband data captured under pristine Bortle 1 skies.
This is a first look, showcasing what's possible with dual-band filtering from a light-polluted environment. It's fascinating to think that we can capture entire nebulae within a single frame – a testament to the power of modern astrophotography techniques.
Acquisition Details:
- Telescope: 150P Quattro F/3.6
- Mount: AM5N
- Camera: Unmodified Canon 60D
- Filter: L-Enhance dual band
- Total Integration Time: 5 hours
- Sub-exposures: 63 subs @ 300 seconds each
- ISO: 3200
- Sky Conditions: Bortle 5
- Guiding: 300mm F/4 with NINA & PHD
Processing Workflow:
- Stacking: ASTAP stack
- Calibration: 20 Darks (no flats used)
- Initial Processing: SIRIL (Background Extraction, Auto-stretch)
- Star Removal: Starnet
- Denoising & Stretching: RawTherapee
- Final Touches: GIMP (stretching, merging), with minor iPhone adjustments.
While this is just a preliminary processing of the dual-band data, it already reveals the intricate structures within Andromeda's nebulae. The L-Enhance filter effectively isolates the emission lines, bringing out the hydrogen-alpha regions with striking clarity. I'm excited to combine this with the broadband data to create a more complete and vibrant portrait of our closest galactic neighbor.
Stay tuned for the final integrated image!
