New Image: Sh2-157 The Lobster Claw Nebula

[AstroBee]

Back in October when I started this project, I posted a monochrome version of this subject after two nights of gathering Ha data only.
I was trying to force myself to have patience and stick to a single subject for an extended period of time. I usually get bored after a few nights of collecting data and decide I have enough and move on to something new. This time, I would say my patience has paid off. 3 nights of SII (Bortle 3), 4 nights of OIII (2 from my Bortle 8-9 backyard and 2 from a Bortle 3 dark site.) and 7 nights of Ha (6 from my Bortle 8-9 backyard and 1 from a Bortle 3 dark site.) and part of 1 night for the RGB data (Bortle 3) says I've finally broke that streak of getting bored. In fact, I plan on adding more data to this beautiful subject next year!

My longest project to date.

Explore Scientific ED152 w/0.7x reducer/flattener
ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, Chroma RGB, Ha,OIII,SII 3nm filters, iOptron CEM70 mount

Captured with NINA 3.0, Processed with PixInsight

30x60sec. ea RGB= 90min
233x600sec Ha= 38hrs50min
86x600sec SII= 14hrs20min
126x600sec OIII= 21hrs

Total integration time
75 hours 40 minutes.

[Petrol]

3 words
Wow
Epic
APOD

[AstroBee]

Thanks!

[Thefatkitty]

Greg, that is amazing!! Over 75 hours? The detail is stunning. I admire your patience; it certainly paid off!

APOD vote for sure

All the best,

[Juno16]

Awesome image Greg!

Well, you certainly have upped your patience level with this one!

At 68 years old and 5-6 years into this hobby, I’ve always longed for imaging in dark skies. Availability is in short supply here (both quality skies and darker sites).

I am very fond of imaging in my light polluted and tree obstructed backyard. All the more reason to appreciate an image like yours!

That is one bad-to-the -bone rig that you have there. F5.6?

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us!

Outstanding work and accomplishment Greg!

[messier 111]

one more vote for apod , thx .

[AstroBee]

Thanks again everyone.
Jim, yes, F5. 6. It's native f8 with the 0.7x reducer.
I grew up in South Louisiana so I know how lucky we are out west here with our dry air and dark skies.

[Ylem]

WOW! Just Wow!

APOD!!

[Mirrorgirl]

very nice Astro bee i really like it very well done to you

[SkyHiker]

Fantastic, wow 75 hours. APOD of course!

[JSBach1801]

That might be one of the best images I have seen on this website since I joined. Fantastic work, Greg.

[Gordon]

Congratulations Greg on having your image selected as our TSS APOD!

app.php/article/12-8-2023-tss-astrophot ... of-the-day

[AstroBee]

Thank you so much guys. I appreciate the recognition.
I uploaded the full resolution file to Astrobin if you care to pixelpeep.
https://www.astrobin.com/full/xaebxp/0/

[Jockinireland]

That's a great image. The colours, especially the Oii really show the benefit of the long integration. Well deserved APOD.

[starfield]

Congrats on the APOD, Greg. The long integration captured some great detail. Well worth the effort.

[bernhardhubl]

Hello Greg,

Very nice image with excellent details!

best,
Bernhard

[MariusD69]

Very impressive! Great work! Congrats for APOD!

[Ylem]

Congratulations on the well deserved APOD Greg!!!!

[StarHugger]

Nicely done, beautiful it is Greg!

[jthommes]

Beautiful Greg! Congrats on the APOD.

What patience - 75 hrs! 535 sub frames; plus who knows how many calibration frames; on a 2600 - with my clunky old computer, I would have spent 75 hrs just to get through WBPP.