Gear
- Telescope – Meades 70mm Series 6000 Refractor
- Main Camera – ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- Filter – Optolong 2″ L-Enhance
- Mount – HEQ5
- Guide Scope – ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope
- Guide Camera – ZWO ASI290MM
- Controller – ZWO ASIAir Pro
Acquisition
- 29 Light Images at 300 gain, 180s exposure
- 32 Dark Images
- 400 Bias Images
- No Flats
North America Nebula, AKA NGC7000, AKA Caldwell 20. This is 2,202 light years away.
This is the second shot I have taken using the Optolong L-Enhance filter. Now I am just hooked. Not on just this filter. But now I’m the hunt for more filters. They really are needed for astrophotography. If not needed they definitely enhance what is captured.
One thing I’ve noticed with this photo and the California Nebula. The red level is much higher over the green and blue. Without the filter green level was more amped up in my captured images. I hear that is the case with the ZSO ASI294MC Pro in general. Red is such a strong color I just hope all my nebula photos do not end up with a red-like filter over them.
Overall, I really like how this one has turned out. The nebula’s shape really does come through and you can see the North America shape. Also, the background of infinite space and stars look smooth and consistent to me. I do wish I minimized the stars a bit more, especially on the left region area. I may revisit at some point. Other than that I really like how everything came out.