NGC 6820: Capturing the Wizard Tower in Vulpeca
I'm thrilled to share a work-in-progress that I've been diligently chasing over the past few months: the stunning NGC 6820, also affectionately nicknamed the "Wizard Tower" for its distinctive shape. This celestial structure, located in the constellation Vulpeca, is a truly captivating target for astrophotographers.
While this image is still a work in progress, I'm incredibly pleased with how it's coming out. I still need to acquire a few more nights of SII data to fully flesh out the details, as well as capture some RGB stars to add color and context to the nebulae. However, even in its current state, the characteristic foxy orange hues at the base of the tower are beautifully rendered, hinting at the immense power and beauty contained within this emission nebula.
This particular target presents a unique challenge, as there isn't an overwhelming amount of OIII or SII signal compared to some other nebulae. This means each photon counts, and the integration time becomes crucial for bringing out the subtle details. The integration per filter is as follows:
- Hα: 10h 20m (124 × 300")
- SII: 1h 20m (16 × 300")
- OIII: 13h 35m (163 × 300")
This brings the total integration time to a substantial 25 hours and 15 minutes, a testament to the dedication required to capture such celestial wonders.
The equipment used for this ambitious project includes:
- Telescope: Stellarvue SVX180T
- Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
- Mount: 10Micron GM2000 HPS
I'm always eager for feedback and comments on my work, so please feel free to share your thoughts!
