IC 63 - Phantom Nebula

[konstantinos75]

Hi

I would like to share with you my attempt to reprocess IC 63 the Phantom Nebula in Cassiopeia. This image was captured in 2013.

IC 63 is an emission/reflection nebula in the constellation of Cassiopeia. The hydrogen emission is energized from the bright star Gamma Cassiopeia to the upper left which is is physically located only 3 to 4 light-years from the nebula. IC 63, also known as Phanthom Nebula, is dominated by red H-alpha light emitted as the ionized hydrogen atoms recombine with electrons.

Some technical details here

Optics: Vixen ED81s @ f/7.7

Mount: HEQ5 synscan Pro

Guiding: Skywatcher 9x50 finderscope+DMK21AU04

Camera: SBIG ST2000XM

Filter Wheel: SBIG CFW9

Filters: Baader Ha, Astronomik LRGB

CCD Temperature: -5 degrees Celsius

Constellation: Cassiopeia

Date: 30 Sep, 2013

Location: Kifisia, Greece

Exposure:

Lum : 70 min (70x1 min)

Red : 40 min (40x1 min)

Green : 40 min (40x1 min)

Blue : 40 min (40x1 min)

Ha: 200 min (20x10 min)

Binning: 1x1(L,R,G,B,Ha)

Total exposure 6.5 h

Software:

MaximDL for calibration, CCDstack for registering/combine, Photoshop

Some advice how to efficiently eliminate the stars red halos in Photoshop is welcomed

Full size here: http://www.albireo.gr/astrogallery/nebulae/diffuse/2013.09.30/IC63.html

Thank you

[konstantinos75]

The trick to the photoshop to eliminate colorful halos in stars is to select stars then play with selective color tool. Try to reduce the bad color...

I attach an image for comparison before and after selective colors.