Pelican Nebula SHO: A Journey from OSC to Mono Astrophotography
Coming from the world of OSC (One-Shot Color) cameras, this image marks a pivotal moment in my astrophotography journey – my first deep dive into monochrome imaging with the SHO palette. The results? Utterly mind-blowing!
After receiving the QHY miniCAM8 in March, the notoriously fickle weather has only allowed me a second night out under the stars. But that second night, coupled with this incredible camera, has left me floored. The detail and vibrancy captured in the Pelican Nebula are beyond anything I've achieved before. I'm already eager for more clear skies to revisit past targets with this new perspective.
The Technical Deep Dive
This capture was made under Bortle 5 skies, integrating a total of 5.5 hours, with the primary lights consisting of 300-second exposures.
Here's a breakdown of the equipment and software used:
- Telescope: SVBONY SV503 80ED (doublet) with flattener
- Camera: QHY miniCAM8 LRGBHSO version (used in SHO configuration)
- Mount: EQ6-R Pro
- Guide Scope: ZWO mini guide scope
- Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM-mini
- Acquisition Software: Orchestrated with NINA
Processing: Simplicity Yields Stunning Results
I kept the processing remarkably straightforward, letting the data shine through:
- All processing was performed in Pixinsight.
- Workflow:
- Weighted Batch Preprocessing (WBPP)
- SetiAstro AutoDBE
- BXT
- SXT remove stars
- SetiAstro palette picker
- Curves and saturation adjustments
- Stars reintroduced using PixelMath
- Minor touch-up with BXT
- NXT
The journey from OSC to monochrome has truly opened up a new dimension in astrophotography for me. The ability to capture specific wavelengths of light with such clarity is a game-changer. I can honestly say I'm hooked and can't wait to reshoot many of my previous targets with this new, powerful setup. Here's hoping for continued clear skies!
