[RCC] Blue horse head (and reflection nebula) - Forums

Topic starter

Jun 6, 2021 · Edited: Jun 6, 2021

Hello people!

I've been trying to get a good image of the "Blue Horsehead nebula"
(and reflection nebula's in general, also the iris nebula was a target I tried)

So far, I've only tried this on a second rig, with an old (but modified) Canon EOS 1200d.

Canon eos 1200d
william optics redcat
180 second exposures
Bortle class 4/5

But, I'm struggling to get good detail out of the blue Horsehead nebula. I'm not getting clear dark dust elements, not a lot of detail in the reflections blue colours and others.

This latest attempt was with an "Optolong L-Pro filter". In theory, that should be ok for reflection nebula's? But, when looking at other images here on astrobon of it, many don't even mention a filter? so maybe I should be shooting without? (the one time I tried without a filter, it didn't work well, probably because of some light pollution)

Either way, I do intend on upgrading the 1200d to a ZWO asi colour camera.

But any criticism and advice is appreciated,
mainly to get more detail. And also more definition and contrast in the dark dust of these types of reflection nebula.

Maybe this is fixed by other/no filters?
Maybe this will be fixed by a ZWO camera?
Or more integration time (I think the image below is about 3-4 hours worth)?

Are there tricks to capturing a reflection nebula?
Maybe a different style of editing?

Any tips are appreciated.

Thanks!

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Cody Looman

Jun 6, 2021

What are the exposure times and aperture of your lens or telescope? Longer exposures, faster optics or darker skies would help bring out fainter details.

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Elmiko

Jun 6, 2021

Looks good to me. You didn't mention the scope or lens or sky conditions. What Bortle scale?

Mike

Steven

Topic starter

Jun 6, 2021

Sorry, missed to ad those details.

it’s 180 second exposures.
with a william optics redcat

bortle class 4

(i’ll add them to the original post too)

Elmiko

Jun 6, 2021

I think a dedicated Astro Camera would be more sensitive and reveal more signal than the DSLR. In other words, better image with the same amount of time.

Steven

Topic starter

Jun 7, 2021

Elmiko:
I think a dedicated Astro Camera would be more sensitive and reveal more signal than the DSLR. In other words, better image with the same amount of time.

Yea I figured that. And it will most likely be my next upgrade for that rig.
But, I've also seen some reflection nebula images on astrobin, with canon DSLR's used as a camera, so, just wondered if there are things I might be missing.

I will try some longer exposures next time.
And yes, probably upgrade (eventually)

Dave Rust

Jun 7, 2021 · Edited: Jun 7, 2021

Hi, Steven! I think your image looks pretty nice. It wasn't clear to me if this is a stack of several images or just one snap. If it's just one, it's marvelous...you just need more to combine.

Your optic's light sensitivity may be contributing to the lack of detail, as well. After all, you're trying to shoot a very subtle target.
The bigger the objective lens, the deeper magnitude of light that can be sensed. The dimmest light that can generally be picked up by a 51mm scope is 11 magnitude. Weather conditions and light pollution can also reduce that number.

On the other hand, you'd think that'd be enough to capture Blue...which clocks in at magnitude 3.9. Well within your range.

So I looked for nice images that also published exposure specs. It seems a bigger stack helps.

Here's a very nice image from a Canon with ƒ2.8 200mm telephoto and ISO800. But note that it took a large aperture and 52 5min images shot over two nights.

https://www.enchantedskies.net/Blue_HorseHead.htm

Dave

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Steven

Topic starter

Jun 8, 2021

Dave Rust:
Hi, Steven! I think your image looks pretty nice. It wasn't clear to me if this is a stack of several images or just one snap. If it's just one, it's marvelous...you just need more to combine.

Your optic's light sensitivity may be contributing to the lack of detail, as well. After all, you're trying to shoot a very subtle target.
The bigger the objective lens, the deeper magnitude of light that can be sensed. The dimmest light that can generally be picked up by a 51mm scope is 11 magnitude. Weather conditions and light pollution can also reduce that number.

On the other hand, you'd think that'd be enough to capture Blue...which clocks in at magnitude 3.9. Well within your range.

So I looked for nice images that also published exposure specs. It seems a bigger stack helps.

Here's a very nice image from a Canon with ƒ2.8 200mm telephoto and ISO800. But note that it took a large aperture and 52 5min images shot over two nights.

https://www.enchantedskies.net/Blue_HorseHead.htm

Dave

Thanks for the detailed reply Dave!
i’m starting to guess that the combination of my gear just might not be great for such a faint target.
canon 1200d, the F4.9 of the william optics, but mainly because i went for 3 minute exposures.

clearly i have to increase the length and the total exposure to compensate for those “issues”