My First Foray into H-alpha Astrophotography

This past weekend, I had the chance to experiment with a new technique in my astrophotography journey: incorporating H-alpha data. It was a fantastic learning experience, and while the results aren't perfect, I'm excited to share my first attempt!

I set up my gear at Timberline Lodge for some practice, and the goal was to see what kind of detail and color I could bring out by adding H-alpha. It's a rewarding process, though it definitely requires patience and practice.

Here's a breakdown of my acquisition:

• H-alpha: 5 minutes at ISO 2000
• RGB: 7 minutes at ISO 400
• Foreground: 30 seconds at ISO 2000

The processing was done using Photoshop and Starnet++ to help manage the star fields.

The Image

Here's the result of my efforts. You can see some of the nebulae starting to pop with those characteristic red hues.

Reflections and Next Steps

I'm pleased with how the reds are showing through, which is a testament to the power of H-alpha filters in capturing emission nebulae. As one fellow astrophotographer pointed out, the light pollution at this location is significant, and I can already see how much more detail and contrast I might achieve under darker skies.

I'm planning a trip to a darker site this weekend and again next week to put this into practice. I'm particularly keen to try and capture more of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and Zeta Ophiuchi. This practice session at Timberline Lodge has been incredibly valuable for getting familiar with the process, and I'm eager to see the difference that better skies will make!

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to explore the wonders of the night sky!