On Sunday night I decided to try again photographing our old friend the Wizard Nebula. This time I changed two things. First, I went up to Palomar Mountain instead of out to the desert. The sky there isn't as dark, but Palomar's 5,000-foot elevation provides clearer skies and cooler weather. Second, I used a 7 nm narrowband filter designed to let through only the light typically emitted by nebulae. This provides more definition and reduces light pollution, which can't get through the filter.
And one other thing: the combination of less darkness, the light pollution filter, and the star reduction function in my software produced a picture with fewer distractions from a heavy, bright star field. The end result was far, far better than my previous picture. It's probably about as good as I can get with my equipment.
Sunday's picture is below. Last month's picture is at the bottom for comparison.
wow! looks amazing!
Wow! That's a great photo!
Wow! What a difference.
You're HIRED!
Wow (what else), that is a great photo!!
"Wow!" was my reaction, too! Beautiful definition in the "draperies" (at least that's how I see them) in the lower region of the nebula.
Wow! Just wow! That is some difference. I am so impressed with the silken billows. Great work Kevin.
Wow. Huge difference.
They almost look like they were taken with different telescopes.
Transcendent. Beautiful. Thank you.
Astonishingly great work, Mr Drum...it is like the image is from one of the finest, most advanced telescopes....maybe it is you that is astounding, not the image. Best Wishes, Traveller
Holy Chicken, Mr. Drum - that is truly stunning!
(BTW, another of your readers contacted me today. Pretty cool!)
Yeah, now that one's got it goin' on. Good show.