Gear
- Telescope – Meades 70mm Series 6000 Refractor
- Main Camera – ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- Filter – Optolong 2″ L-Pro
- Mount – HEQ5
- Guide Scope – ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope
- Guide Camera – ZWO ASI290MM
- Controller – ZWO ASIAir Pro
Acquisition
- 75 Light Images at 120 gain, 120s exposure
- 20 Dark Images
- 100 Bias Images
- 100 Flat Images
MY second time shooting the Triangulum Galaxy. The main difference from the last time is that I used the Optolong L-Pro and I have my Photoshops a bit built now. I’m no Photoshop astro magician or anything but I have definitely gotten better understanding of what I am doing and aiming for. I did go 120 gain and 120s exposure both times. I wonder if I should mess with a different gain next time.
On the processing the side I felt I was able to get a bit more detail of the galaxy. To be honest I don’t know if that is because of the filter or I just got better in Photoshop. I do know last time I played every Photoshop change very conservative. But like I said I’ve gotten better at processing but not great. I had to start over three times before I was satisfied with my results. My final result is of course displayed above. I’m happy with it but I think I can get better detail still.
Processing Steps in Photoshop:
- Color Balance
- Curve adjustments
- Gradient correction using GradientXTerminator
- Saturation Boost
- Vibrance Boost
- Noise Reduction using Astronomy tool – Space Noise Reduction action
- Noise Reduction using Astronomy tool – Deep Space Noise Reduction action
- Sharpening
- Curve adjustment in Camera Raw Filter
- Minimized stars in Photoshop, 2 rounds
- Minimized stars using Astronomy tool – Make Stars Smaller action
- Astronomy tool – Enhanced DSO and Reduce Stars action
- Astronomy tool – Less Crunchy More Fuzzy
- Smart Sharpen filter
- Luminosity overlay