Witnessing the West Veil Nebula Under Bortle 9 Skies
After a hiatus, I'm thrilled to share my latest astrophotography endeavor: the West Veil Nebula. This capture, painstakingly assembled over 10 hours of integration time, represents my first significant image in months.
While the West Veil Nebula is notably fainter than its eastern counterpart, I find the celestial tapestry woven within this particular field to be far more captivating and visually engaging. Imaging under Bortle 9 skies, which signifies significant light pollution, presents a unique set of challenges, making this achievement even more rewarding.
The Imaging Process
The journey to bring this image to life involved a dedicated setup:
- Telescope: AT80ED
- Mount: EQM-35 pro
- Camera: Unmodified Canon T7
- Filter: Sv220 duo narrowband filter
- Autoguiding: ZWO ASI120MM Mini with ZWO Mini Guide Scope
Each sub-exposure was captured over 3 minutes at an ISO of 800, resulting in a total integration time of 10 hours. This extended duration is crucial for gathering enough light from these faint objects, especially in light-polluted environments.
Post-Processing
The raw data was then meticulously processed to reveal the intricate details of the nebula. The stacking process was handled by DSS (DeepSkyStacker), followed by detailed processing and denoising in Siril. This combination of tools allows for noise reduction and enhancement of the faint structures within the nebula.
A Glimpse of the Cosmos
Here is the final image, a testament to the beauty that can be unveiled even from challenging observing locations:
Capturing objects like the West Veil Nebula under such conditions requires patience, persistence, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of the night sky. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the universe!
