The Cygnus Wall: An Astrophotographer's Journey to 24+ Hours of Integration

Astrophotography is a journey, and for many, it starts with a phase of 'collect them all' – a period of rapid imaging of various targets. While quantity can be a great way to explore the night sky and learn the basics, there comes a point where the desire to create truly wondrous imagery takes hold. This is often marked by a shift towards longer integration times and more focused processing.

Living under Bortle 7 skies and dealing with significant light pollution and horizon obstructions, this next step requires patience and a willingness to dedicate multiple nights to a single target. My latest project, capturing the Cygnus Wall of the North America Nebula (NGC 7000, Caldwell 20), was born from this desire to push beyond quick shots and really explore the potential of my equipment and processing techniques.

Choosing the Target and Technique

The Cygnus Wall, with its intricate structures, is a prime target for deep sky imaging. It also lends itself exceptionally well to narrowband imaging, a crucial technique for cutting through light pollution. By focusing on specific emission lines like Hydrogen-alpha (Hα), Sulfur II (SII), and Oxygen III (OIII), I could maximize the signal from the nebula while minimizing the impact of the surrounding light.

This project represented my first attempt at integrating over 24 hours of exposure time, a significant milestone in my astrophotography journey. The goal was to see what details could be extracted from this beautiful region of the sky when given ample time to gather light.

Equipment and Acquisition Details

Here's a look at the gear and the meticulous acquisition process:

• Telescope: Askar 71F
• Camera: ASI585MC Pro
• Mount: AM5N
• Autofocus: EAF
• Field Rotator: CAA
• Filter Wheel: EFW 5x2"
• Controller: ASIair Plus

Narrowband Imaging:

• Askar ColourMagic C1 (Ha/OIII): 346 subs x 150"
• Askar ColourMagic C2 (SII/OIII): 336 subs x 150"
• Optolong UV/IRcut: 26 subs x 150"

Processing Workflow

The extensive data gathered was then processed using a suite of powerful tools:

• PixInsight
• GraXpert
• RCAstro tools
• SetiAstro tools

This endeavor into longer integration times with narrowband filters has been incredibly rewarding. It truly showcases the difference patience and the right techniques can make, even under challenging skies. I'm excited to continue this path of exploration and to bring more of the universe's wonders into view.

Thanks for checking it out!