WR 134 SHO - An 11.75 Hour Deep Dive

This week, we're diving into the depths of the cosmos with a breathtaking capture of WR 134, also known as the Crescent Nebula, rendered in the striking SHO (Sulfur, Hydrogen, Oxygen) palette. This challenging target demanded a significant 11.75 hours of integration time, pushing the limits of detail extraction.

A Challenging Target

As shared by the astrophotographer, WR 134 presents a tough challenge, particularly when it comes to revealing the subtle nuances within the OIII (Oxygen III) emission. These faint details are crucial for bringing the nebula's intricate structures to life, and the current data suggests that even more OIII integration might be needed for a truly stellar result.

Despite the difficulties, the "miniCAM8" is proving to be a capable tool, and the journey of capturing and processing such objects is where the real fun lies.

Acquisition Details:

• Location: Bortle 5 skies
• Integration Time: 11.75 hours total
• Sub-exposures: 300 seconds for S, H, and O channels
• Telescope: SVBONY SV503 80ED (doublet) with flattener
• Camera: QHY miniCAM8 LRGBHSO version
• Mount: EQ6-R Pro
• Guiding: ZWO mini guide scope with ZWO ASI120MM-mini guide camera
• Acquisition Software: NINA

Processing Workflow:

The journey from raw data to the final image involved a meticulous processing workflow using PixInsight:

• WBPP: Weighted Batch Preprocessing
• SetiAstro AutoDBE: Automatic Background Extraction
• BXT: Background and Texture Generation
• SXT: StarExtermination
• SetiAstro palette picker: For accurate SHO color mapping
• Curves and saturation: Fine-tuning color balance and intensity
• Add stars back with PixelMath: Reintegrating stars for a complete image
• Minor touch of BXT: Further refinements
• NXT: NoiseXTerminator

Post-processing in Google Photos included minor tweaks for mobile color and light balancing, followed by the inevitable compression for web upload. Every step, from capturing faint OIII signal to managing compression artifacts, is part of the astrophotography adventure!