Question on processing the Cat's Eye nebula (NGC 6543)
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 2:48 pm
Hello,
I recently processed the Cat's Eye nebula with Startools, and have a couple questions. I am still new to using Startools, and am in the process of learning the program. First, there is no detail in the center of the nebula- it just looks like a small bright dot with no distinguishing features. Second, there is a faint veil that is supposed to surround the eye, but I couldn't get it to stand out more than what you see in my processed picture. Any suggestions on how to get these features to show up? I went through the Startools processing screens systematically, but can't figure out what I did wrong. Or, is it a focus issue? I used a bahtinov mask, and focused on one of my alignment stars, but that star wasn't in the vicinity of my target.
I included a link to the raw stack (about 4 hrs of 60-sec exposures, along with 20 flats, 20 darks and 20 dark flats). I also included a link to my processed image. I used a Skywatcher Esprit 100 telescope (unguided), EQ6-R-Pro mount, and ZWO asi 294MC Pro color camera. I used Sharpcap Pro for capture, with the gain set to about 120.
Raw stack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tfRAPv ... sp=sharing
Processed image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y78efI ... sp=sharing
Any advice you can provide will be appreciated.
Thanks!
I recently processed the Cat's Eye nebula with Startools, and have a couple questions. I am still new to using Startools, and am in the process of learning the program. First, there is no detail in the center of the nebula- it just looks like a small bright dot with no distinguishing features. Second, there is a faint veil that is supposed to surround the eye, but I couldn't get it to stand out more than what you see in my processed picture. Any suggestions on how to get these features to show up? I went through the Startools processing screens systematically, but can't figure out what I did wrong. Or, is it a focus issue? I used a bahtinov mask, and focused on one of my alignment stars, but that star wasn't in the vicinity of my target.
I included a link to the raw stack (about 4 hrs of 60-sec exposures, along with 20 flats, 20 darks and 20 dark flats). I also included a link to my processed image. I used a Skywatcher Esprit 100 telescope (unguided), EQ6-R-Pro mount, and ZWO asi 294MC Pro color camera. I used Sharpcap Pro for capture, with the gain set to about 120.
Raw stack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tfRAPv ... sp=sharing
Processed image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y78efI ... sp=sharing
Any advice you can provide will be appreciated.
Thanks!