IC 1396 - Elephant's Trunk Nebula

[decay]

Hi all,

there have been a few clear in hours here in July and I decided to try IC 1396 with L-eNhance filter:

ic1396-3-4-r-small.jpg (634.58 KiB) Viewed 7584 times

Data is very weak, but this is an example what ST can do with limited data sets . Super Structure was used twice, first to saturate colours and then to reduce noise.

Unfortunately again a large halo around the bright star(s) at the top of this image . I will have to find out what's causing this. But I decided not to crop it out, anyway. This triple sun is throwing it's cold blue light onto a surreal appearing scenery. Yeah - probably some kind of art, but unintentional in this case

Please see here for technical details:
https://www.astrobin.com/g1ya8h/

Dietmar.

[Stefan B]

Good one, Dietmar! Certainly much better than my first try which has been done with similar equipment and integration time (https://www.astrobin.com/acvgy4/C/?nc=&nce=). You got much more details (especially in the "stalk") and nebulosity. And I can't see a halo. The light is diffracted and gives the surroundings a slightly blue tint. But at least I am used to that. I don't think it's an optical issue or a reflection.

But stars in the upper section appear a bit misshapen. Coma? Caused by tilt?

Anyway, great details and nice coloring. Saturation is well done. You cannot expect much more from 3 hours. It's a faint target!

Regards
Stefan

[decay]

Thanks, Stefan!

And I can't see a halo. The light is diffracted and gives the surroundings a slightly blue tint. But at least I am used to that. I don't think it's an optical issue or a reflection.

Yes, I remember we discussed these coloured halos in some (?) of your images some time ago. Not sure, but I don't think it should look like that. If you compare it to Mike's image here (https://www.astrobin.com/full/hhn3ej/0/) you don't see anything like that:

2024-08-02 21_02_13-2024-08-02 20_55_39-2024-08-02 20_53_07-ic1396-3-4-r-small.jpg - IrfanView (Zoom.jpg (129.12 KiB) Viewed 7540 times

Best regards, Dietmar.

[fmeireso]

Indeed a nice image. Unfortunate for the stars in the upper left corner. ASTAP reports extreme tilt in the jpg...I wander what the culprit could be.

This said in my RC8 i also still have mild to moderate tilt..for know not sure where that is coming from too...i still suspect collimation in my case.

[decay]

Thanks, Freddy!

Unfortunate for the stars in the upper left corner. ASTAP reports extreme tilt in the jpg...I wander what the culprit could be.

Yes, I noticed tilt sometimes before, but not every time. Not sure, if there's a problem with camera/focuser attachment. But collimation is bad for sure, too. I will have to solve that.

[Stefan B]

You are probably right on the 'halo' issue. But just to let you know: it doesn't detract from the good image.

CS Stefan