SUNSET: 
0
Photographer:
LarryMac
Location of Photo:
The Okie-Tex Star Party, Kenton, Oklahoma
Date/Time of photo:
Early morning hours of October 2, 2024
Equipment:
Telescope: Astro-Tech 80ED with 0.8 flattener/reducer, Mount: Celestron CGEM, Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM, Filter Wheel: ZWO 7 position with ZWO 36mm 7nm narrowband filters, 50mm guide scope with ZWO ASI120MM Mini guide camera, ZWO EAF focuser, ZWO ASIAir Mini controller. Processed in PixInsight.
Description:
This image of the California Nebula (NGC 1499) was taken under dark New Moon skies at the Okie-Tex Star Party, Kenton, Oklahoma, October 2, 2024. Dark skies, narrowband filters and just under 4 hours of imaging time was enough for a vibrant image. This is a good example of why we as imagers should always retain data from the past. As software and technology increases, along with our own processing skills, images that were once "good" can become "great". Using the new HOO + SII technique, I first processed an HOO image, colorized the SII master in PixInsight's NBColorMapper script to yellow, then combined that with the HOO image. 300 second light frames, Bin 1, Gain 200. Ha= 90 mins, OIII=90 mins, SII=50 mins.
