M8 and M20: A Dual Nebula Delight Captured from Bortle 3 Skies
This incredible image showcases two iconic deep-sky objects: the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20). Both are vast stellar nurseries, teeming with young stars and vibrant interstellar gas, presented here in stunning detail.
Captured in June from the exceptionally dark skies of Bortle 3 in Okinawa, this photograph is a testament to the power of accessible equipment and dedicated processing.
The Equipment and Process:
The data for this image was acquired using the following setup:
- Camera: Unmodified Nikon Z30 (APS-C)
- Telescope: Askar SQA55 f/4.8 264mm
- Mount: SA GTI
Under the pristine Bortle 3 skies, the following exposure parameters were used:
- ISO: 3200
- Total Exposure: 58 x 30 seconds = 29 minutes
- Darks: 20
- Flats: 25
- Dark Flats: 25
- Biases: 50
The challenging process of bringing out the subtle details involved:
- Stacking: Performed with DeepSkyStacker.
- Editing: Conducted in PixInsight, incorporating BlurX and NoiseX, followed by final touches in Photoshop.
(Note: The image has been cropped for optimal presentation.)
This image is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with careful planning and execution in the field of astrophotography. The rich colors and the distinct structures of both M8 and M20 are beautifully rendered, making this a truly captivating sight.
