M8 M20 June 26 2022

[Andy Nowlen]

Here is my 2022 version of the wonderful M8 M20 deep-sky objects! A new year, finally a few clear nights, and a new combination of equipment. How fun!

Camera - Asi071MC cool
Filter - L-extreme
Scope - FSQ106n 539 mm
Mount - CEM70G
Controller - AsiAir Pro
113 sub-exposures
7 hours integration
Astropixel processor
Pixinsight
Photoshop

Stars removed. Nebula processed. Stars added back.
For comparison, I added a starless version and also the straight-out-of-the-stack version.

 

[AlanLichty]

Thee starless version is kind of interesting but I do like the combined layers in the first image.

 

[Les]

Very nice I also like the first image

 

[Ben Egbert]

The starless version sure has a lot of impact, but I think I prefer the first one.

 

[JimFox]

Wow!!! Great job Andy! Such a fun area to image.

I really appreciate seeing all 3 versions. I think for lots of the guys here who admire Astrophotography but aren't personally doing it, to see the straight stacked image will be educational.

I like the finished image in #1 the best, but am enjoying all 3 of these.

 

[Andy Nowlen]

Thanks all. When I reviewed my Lagoon nebula from last year, I was pleased to see some capture and processing improvement. This is a good hobby for the senior citizen brain.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Great work - I really like the results with removed stars, the extra ability to stretch the nebula without blowing out the stars adds lots of nebula contrast and faint detail while not getting the stars too bloated. I use this technique myself all the time now. Which tool did you use for star removal? I am finding the latest starnet v2 and the latest StarXterminator to be both very capable, with subtle differences between the 2 on some images, where in one case one is better and then in the next case the other is better.

ML

 

[Dan Moorehead]

Wonderful