Recent and not so recent DSO images

These images were typically acquired using a Celestron 0.63x focal reducer with or without a diagonal. With the diagonal a non optimal F/4 focal ratio is achieved. With my typical straight through configuration with 108 mm gap between the focal reducer and the sensor yields ~F/6.3. Imager was ZWO ASI294MC-Pro @0C or 10C depending on ambient temperature.

Processing is with AutoStakkert for averaging subframes, Paintshop Pro X9 for image processing. In some cases the minimalist Fix app built into Window 10 Photo Gallery was used to tweak the image.

NGC 6960 - Western Veil Nebula

NGC6888 -Crescent Nebula

 

Messier 81- Bode's Galaxy

Messier 27 - Dumbell Nebula

NGC6992 - Eastern Veil Nebula

Messier 8 - Lagoon Nebula

Messier 31- Andromeda Galaxy

Messier 16 - Eagle Nebula

Messier 17 Omega Nebula

Windows Live(TM) Gallery

April - May mid Atlantic clouds have been frustrating leaving me time to retrospectively play with past images. I often quick view images with Windows Live Gallery. What I had not noticed or played with until recently was the Fix function. Fix is a basic image processing app that lets you make quick adjustments brightness, contrast, color, tint, and saturation. Other functions are sharpening and noise reduction. I still do initial processing of the averaged image using Corel Paintshop Pro X9 . These five galaxies were touched up with the Windows Live(tm) Gallery Fix after initial processing with Paintshop Pro X9. Unfortunately galaxy season, when the Virgo and Coma galaxy clusters are prominent around 10 PM is passing fast. Fingers are crossed the last week of May when the moon is waning will bring some clear skies.

M101

M106

M94

M81

NGC2403