Sculptor Galaxy - NGC 253: A 31-Hour Exposure Masterpiece
Prepare to be awestruck by this stunning rendition of the Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253, captured through an impressive 31 hours of total exposure time. This breathtaking image is the result of dedication, meticulous planning, and advanced astrophotography techniques.
Behind the Lens
The image was taken in the B5 Zone near Bathurst, Australia, accumulating data over 18 different nights. The astrophotographer utilized a high-quality setup, including:
- Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 800
- Mount: Skywatcher EQ6R Pro
- Main Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
- Guide Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
- Filters: ZWO LRGB Filters
- Off-Axis Guider: Celestron OAG
- Scope Cover: Telegizmos 365 cover
Processing Prowess
This deep-sky gem was assembled from over 1500 individual exposures. The data acquisition was managed by NINA, with automatic scripting to discard any frames exceeding 1" RMS. Integration was performed in PixInsight using the Weighted Batch Processing Preparation (WBPP) script. For noise reduction, NoiseXTerminator was employed, along with a touch of BlurXTerminator from an older version. The result is a remarkably clean and detailed image, showcasing the intricate dust lanes and star clusters within the Sculptor Galaxy.
A Momentary Pause and a Query
Despite this incredible achievement, the astrophotographer has faced recent challenges. An intermittent tilt and mirror alignment issue with the Celestron EdgeHD scope has temporarily halted imaging activities. Furthermore, health issues have also played a role in the hiatus over the past year and a half. The good news is that a recent move to darker skies offers renewed hope for getting back into the hobby soon.
A specific technical question is also posed to the community: if anyone has experience removing and disassembling Celestron Edge secondary mirrors, particularly due to suspected overtightened collimation screws, your insights would be invaluable before undertaking such a delicate procedure.
We wish the astrophotographer a swift resolution to their equipment and health concerns, and eagerly anticipate their future contributions to the night sky!
