My First Attempt at the Veil Nebula: A Journey into Deep Sky Astrophotography

Hello fellow stargazers! Today, I'm thrilled to share my very first attempt at capturing the breathtaking Veil Nebula. As a newcomer to the fascinating world of astrophotography, this project has been a significant learning experience, and I'm eager to share the process and results with you.

The Celestial Target: The Veil Nebula

The Veil Nebula, a remnant of a supernova explosion, is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Its delicate wisps of gas and dust, illuminated by the remnants of a star's violent demise, offer a glimpse into the universe's dramatic past. Capturing such a vast and intricate object is a challenge, especially with a beginner's setup.

My Gear and Setup

Here's a breakdown of the equipment I used for this endeavor:

• Camera: Canon EOS 450d (Unmodified) DSLR - My trusty workhorse for exploring the night sky.
• Lens: Tamron 70-300mm Telephoto Lens - Chosen for its versatility in framing celestial objects.
• Focusing Aid: 3D printed Bahtinov Mask - Essential for achieving sharp focus on stars.
• Tracking: No Tracker - This was a significant limitation, requiring very short exposures to avoid star trailing.

The Acquisition Process: Patience and Persistence

My goal was to achieve approximately 80 minutes of total exposure time. Due to the lack of a tracker, I had to limit my individual exposures to just 1.3 seconds each. This meant taking a staggering 3661 light frames! To manage this workflow, I split the acquisition into five batches, stacking each batch individually before combining them.

Beyond the light frames, I also captured:

• 100 Dark Frames
• 70 Flat Frames
• 100 Bias Frames

All of this was done over two nights at a focal length of 200mm and an aperture of F/5.0, under Bortle 4-5 skies.

Stacking and Processing: Bringing the Nebula to Life

For stacking and initial processing, I utilized the powerful combination of Siril and GraXpert. These tools were invaluable in aligning the thousands of frames, reducing noise, and bringing out the subtle details of the Veil Nebula.

Sharing and Seeking Feedback

This image represents my first successful attempt that I felt was worthy of sharing. I'm still very new to this incredible hobby, and I'm constantly learning. I would be incredibly grateful for any tips or advice on how to improve my astrophotography skills. Your insights are truly appreciated!

Stay curious and keep looking up!