Witch Head nebula imaging issue: unidentified glow in LRGB exposures

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Chris Hill avatar

Hi Everyone,
I have an issue that has recently popped up. Taking 300s exposures of the witch head in LRGB at first I had thought it was amp glow, but I can not replicate the issues with my darks. The area of conern is at the top and to the right hand side of the frame. I have tried finding any light leaks when taking my darks but have not been able to replicate the issue. Just wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction.

My gear and settings:
- 1600mm pro, -10c, 139 gain
- William Optics Zenithstar 73
- Optolong filters
- Flats are captured with N.I.N.A just after the session

Google drive link to my lights, flats and darks. Thank you for your time :)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PmBmGwgEC_NdwrwiWvYpyngtSyfoj8UJ?usp=sharing

Well written Respectful Concise Engaging
Dunk avatar

📷 Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 5.58.13 pm.pngScreenshot 2026-04-14 at 5.58.13 pm.pngThe area I’ve highlighted in red looks to me like amp glow.

The big circle at the top I’ve highlighted in yellow looks like maybe a light leak?

andrea tasselli avatar

They are glares (stray lights) from (top) Rigel and side (some other bright field star).

Chris Hill avatar

Dunk · Apr 14, 2026 at 08:00 AM

📷 Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 5.58.13 pm.pngScreenshot 2026-04-14 at 5.58.13 pm.pngThe area I’ve highlighted in red looks to me like amp glow.

The big circle at the top I’ve highlighted in yellow looks like maybe a light leak?

Thank you for the info!

Chris Hill avatar

andrea tasselli · Apr 14, 2026 at 08:15 AM

They are glares (stray lights) from (top) Rigel and side (some other bright field star).

Thank you for reviewing!!

ScottF avatar

I agree with the assessment, I’ve struggled to control that problem as well.