Every year, almost like a pilgrimage, I like to image the Carina Nebula. It is one of the crown jewels of the southern sky, and we are lucky to be able to see it from our side of the planet. The region is so rich in structure and so bright, emitting strongly in every line, that it is a real challenge to process well. Each new attempt is a chance to refine my processing and rediscover the object.
Processing
All of the narrowband channels were continuum subtracted so they blend cleanly with the LRGB. The narrowband data is mapped to the traditional SHO palette, which gives the image its rich, vibrant look.
I chose a vertical framing for dramatic effect, as it gives this field a really dynamic view. Alongside the Carina Nebula, the frame also includes:
The Gabriela Mistral Nebula
NGC 3293, an open cluster
NGC 3247, in the top right corner
This image is part of a multi-focal-length project I am currently working on.
Equipment
Captured with the Deep Space Remote Observatory (DSRO) equipment at Swan Reach Imaging in South Australia, under Bortle 1 skies. Thanks again to Steve Mandel and Bob Fera for letting me use the observatory for some of my own projects.
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4
Camera: Player One Zeus-M Pro
Explore the full-resolution image and acquisition details on AstroBin.
