Pac-Man Nebula Captured in Dazzling SHO Palette
Prepare to be amazed by this incredible capture of the Pac-Man Nebula, brought to life in the striking SHO (Sulfur II, Hydrogen-alpha, Oxygen III) narrowband color palette. The astrophotographer behind this stunning image has truly outdone themselves, and the results speak for themselves!
A Celestial Treat in SHO
The SHO palette is a popular choice for astrophotographers as it maps the emission lines of ionized hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen into red, green, and blue channels respectively. This combination often results in vibrant and otherworldly colors, highlighting the intricate structures within nebulae. In this case, the Pac-Man Nebula transforms into a cosmic spectacle, showcasing its ghostly appendages and glowing core.
Behind the Scenes: The Gear and Process
Achieving an image like this requires dedication, patience, and the right equipment. Here’s a glimpse into the technical details that made this capture possible:
- Mount: Sky-Watcher Wave 150i
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Air
- Telescope: Askar 103 APO
- Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini
- Guide Scope: William Optics UniGuide 32
- Bortle Scale: 9 (a testament to overcoming light pollution!)
- Exposure Time:
- Ha: 69 x 300s (5 hours 45 minutes)
- OIII: 74 x 300s (6 hours 10 minutes)
- SII: 54 x 300s (4 hours 30 minutes)
- Total Exposure: Over 16 hours!
- Filters: SVBONY SV220 7nm SHO Filters
- Software: ASIAIR Plus, SetiAstro Processing suite
- Processing: PixInsight + Photoshop
The sheer amount of data collected, especially across the different narrowband channels, is impressive. Processing such datasets often involves careful calibration, integration, and stretching to bring out the hidden details and fine-tune the final colors.
What Do You Think?
The astrophotographer is eager to hear your thoughts on this spectacular image. Let us know in the comments below what you think of the Pac-Man Nebula's appearance in the SHO palette!
