Processing The Nebulae With Pixinsight
In my previous article, In search of the Stars, I described the imaging system hardware and software I use for astroimaging. The system includes an Optolong L-eNhance Dual Bandpass Light Pollution Reduction Imaging Filter that will enable me to capture many nebulae with amazing detail. I will use this article to catalog my nebula images and to explain how they were captued and processed. Please see the Resources section at the end of this article for a list of references you might like to look at.
North America Nebula (NGC7000
NGC7000 was the first nebula I imaged. I have learned a lot after processing the nebula to this point—after many processing attempts.
The image consists of 37 5-minute light frames plus calibration images (bias, darks, and flats). I applied only HistogramTransformation to the final WBPP image and then saved the image to a JPG file for the display below. Be sure to click on the images for a larger view.
For the above nebula, I tried both manual processing and WeightedBatchPreprocessing (WBPP). I decided to use the WBPP results for this article. Here is what the processing entailed.
I loaded all of my images into a single directory and entered the directory as the WBPP output directory (lower right of the form). As it runs, WBPP automatically creates necessary folders and saves files, as needed, into the output directory. I hit the directory button located in the lower left corner of the WBPP form and WBPP loaded all of my calibration and light frames.
Clicking on the light-frame line reveals several calibration settings. I selected the "Optimize Master Dark" setting but otherwise used the defaults.
Hitting the "Diagnostics" runs some diagnostics and also provides an option to "Generate Screenshots."
The diagnostics are "in the green." It's time to hit the "Run" button.
Pelican Nebula (IC5070
The image consists of 37 5-minute light frames plus calibration images (bias, darks, and flats).
The Forsaken Nebula (IC5068)
The image consists of 12 5-minute light frames plus calibration images (bias, darks, and flats).
The Veil Nebula (IC5068)
The image consists of 12 5-minute light frames plus calibration images (bias, darks, and flats).
Resources
- PixInsight For Dummies (Like Me) and Other Video Tutorials by Peter Zelinka ,
- Peter Zelinka's Deep Space Course on howtube,
- PixInsight Image Processing Software,
- Rogelio Bernal Andreo's Mastering PixInsight and Reference Guide,
- Bernd Landmann's Preprocessing of Raw Image Data with PixInsight,
- RC Astro: BlurXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, StarXTerminator,
- Agena Astro: Hardware for Astro Imaging,
- Agena Buyer's Guide to ZWO Astronomy Cameras by Brian Ventrudo and Manish Panjwani,
- High Point Scientific: Telescopes, Cameras, and Other Hardware for Astro Imaging,
- High Point Scientific AstronomyHub: ZWO ASIAIR Ultimate Guide,
- Rouz Astro: Cooler for the ZWO 533MC Color Camera,
- William Optics: Telescopes and Accessories Including RedCat 51 WIFD Manual,
- Manuals for ZWO Products (ASIAIR, AM3, EAF, Cameras),
- In Search of the Stars About my imaging system, both hardware and software,
- The CCD Edge: Introduction to CCD imaging. PDF version,
- CCD Image Processing: M16 Processing CCD images of Messier M16 (NGC 6611), the Eagle Nebula,
- Stellarvue: Fine Telescopes and Accessories,
- Stellarium: A Planetarium for Mobile Phones,
- Cartes du Ciel: My Favorite Computer Skychart ,
- Snagit: PC Screen Capture,
- CoffeeCup: My HTML editor of choice and used for this article.
The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing was written many years ago by Richard Berry and James Burnell. This book is my standby reference to the field of astronomical imaging. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print. The latest release of the book was 2.0. If you do not have this book but can find a used copy—grab it!