Description:
Sh2-126, also known as the Ionized Hydrogen Region LBN 428, is a large and faint emission nebula located in the constellation Lacerta. I've seen some call it the Gecko Nebula, though to me it looks more like a swimming dolphin. This region was a challenge to process due to the richness of the stars and the multiple wavelengths that I needed to combine. While my monochrome camera was occupied over at Cepheus, I decided to have a go at this target with my 382mm refractor. Shortly after giving it the command to slew to Lacerta, I quickly realized that my FOV was not satisfactory and started planning a mosaic on the spot. Then there was another issue: after 12 hours of broadband data, I found that my Hydrogen Alpha signal was pretty weak in my One Shot Color dedicated astrophotography camera, so I found myself in the desert the next day, armed with a 3nm Dual-Band filter and another 6 hours of my life to burn away under the stars (No regrets).
Then came the challenge of continuum subtraction and merging the Hydrogen data after stacking and stitching all the frames—and that was where the fun began. Trying to figure out how to make all this data come together in a satisfying way was immensely fulfilling, and it made resisting the heat of the Kuwaiti desert for 3 nights absolutely worthwhile!
This is what I came up with, and I hope to continue this mosaic in the future, but for now, I have to step back to reality and spend some quality time with my family and dedicate some of my attention to my day job. At least until the next new moon!
Mosaic Details:
Panel 1:
RGB: 72*300s
Ha from Dual-Band: 36*300s
Total 9h
Panel 1:
RGB: 72*300s
Ha from Dual-Band: 36*300s
Total 9h
Equipment:
Telescope: William Optics Gran Turismo 81 IV / GT81 IV
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
Filters: Optolong L-Ultimate 2" (3nm dual- band Hydrogen Alpha and Oxygen III)
Accessories: William Optics Flat6A III (Flattener and 0.8 reducer)
Acquisition details
Dates:
Aug. 1, 2024
Aug. 8, 2024
Aug. 10, 2024
Frames:
RGB- No filter 144×300″(12h)
Optolong L-Ultimate 2" 3nm Dual-Band filter: 72×300″(6h)
Integration: 18h
Avg. Moon age: 11.94 days
Avg. Moon phase: 17.94%
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