Messier 17 / Omega Nebula: A Journey Through Processing

Hello fellow stargazers and astrophotography enthusiasts! Today, I'm thrilled to share my very first fully processed astro image: the magnificent Messier 17, also known as the Omega Nebula.

This project was quite the learning experience. I experimented with five different processing programs before finally landing on one that clicked. The amount of time I dedicated to teaching myself the intricacies of astrophotography processing was, shall we say, ungodly! But the results were absolutely worth it.

I'm already planning to re-image and re-process this celestial wonder with my new Antlia filters as soon as the skies clear up. Stay tuned for those updates!

Acquisition Details:

• Primary Target: Messier 17 (M17)
• Location: USA, Bortle 4-5 dark skies
• Date of Acquisition: August 2025 (over 3 evenings)
• Total Integration Time: 4.5 hours
• Sub-exposures: 1500+ subs at 10 seconds each (original capture was over 7 hours with 2500+ subs)
• Telescope: Vaonis Vespera 2
• Filter: Vaonis Dual Band
• Processing Software: PixInsight

Processing Workflow:

My journey through the data involved a meticulous workflow in PixInsight:

1. Weighted Batch Preprocessing (WBPP): This was the first step, handling stacking and calibration of the raw data.
2. Automatic Background Extraction (ABE): Used to correct and smooth the background.
3. Plate Solving: Essential for accurate alignment and orientation.
4. Photometric Color Calibration: To ensure accurate and natural-looking colors.
5. BlurXTerminator: Applied during the linear stage to sharpen details and reduce unwanted blur.
6. NoiseXTerminator: Also applied linearly to significantly reduce noise while preserving fine details.
7. Initial Stretch: Bringing the data out of the linear state to reveal the faint structures.
8. StarXTerminator: A crucial step that separates the stars from the nebula, allowing for independent processing.
9. Contrast & Detail Enhancement: Focused on bringing out the intricate structures within the nebula.
10. Color Adjustments: Fine-tuning the colors to achieve a pleasing and accurate representation.
11. Star Processing: Adjusting the stars, including reducing their size and balancing their color.
12. Star Recombination: Merging the processed stars back with the nebula.
13. Final Touches: Applying any last-minute tweaks before exporting the final image.

A Note on Viewing: If you're viewing this on your phone, you might notice the nebula appearing more red/orange. For the best experience, I highly recommend viewing this image on a computer where the pink hues are more apparent and true to the processing! 🫠

I'm incredibly proud of this first processed image and eager to continue this astrophotography adventure. Your feedback is always welcome!