Final Calibration testing with the new ZWO ASI071MC Pro Camera
with 10" f/3.9 Astrograph
Uploaded 9/26/20

 
This
            set of images taken during the 60% moon to get a color balance
            and guiding calibration for the new camera. The moon highlands
            region was used to set the conversion ratios for from the RAW
            data to RGB tif files. The goal is to set a neutral grey color
            and they you are G2V calibrated for other deep sky shots. For
            all deep sky images, flats, darks were used.

            
The moon
            calibration COLOR image. You can see I nailed the grey shade,
            with no color casts. The conversion factors for the camera in
            Maxim DL color conversion were: 100:89:55


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000

            
Processed
            lunar image to a final state. The field of view as you can see
            is about a degree and a half wide with the 10 inch.


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000

            
M13 - Globular
            in Hercules. This test was to see that using the full 14 bits
            range would not burn out the core. It doesnt, and this is why
            you should never turn your gain up beyond 0 to keep the dynamic
            range the full 14 bits. Note the galaxy at top. This 15 minute
            exposure goes to 18th magnitude.


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000

            
M27 in
            Vulpecula. This planetary was shot to see if I nailed the deep
            sky color balance as well, and yes - the clear "teal"
            color is perfect! 30 minutes exposure recorded the inner wings
            well.


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000

            
M29 in
            Cygnus, open cluster.


            
Stunning
            star colors were to be had here, the golds and blues are very
            well recorded in this 15 minute exposure at f/3.9. Many dark
            nebula fill the field as well.


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000

            
M57 in
            Lyra. This Planetary nebula again was a test of the color balance,
            which it nailed once again. It really is a tiny object in this
            large field! 15 minutes.


            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1000


Instrument:  10" f/3.9 Orion Astrograph Newtonian with Baader MPCC
Mount:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
Camera:  ZWO ASI071MC Pro Color CMOS
Guider: ZWO ASI mini  w/80mm piggyback refractor
Exposure:  90m
Location:  Payson, Arizona, Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 2 arcsec , Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  35 F

Image Processing Tools: 
Maxim DL6:  Calibration, deblooming (Starizona Debloomer), aligning, stacking
PixInsight:  Curves, Deconvolution
Photoshop CS2:  Curves, Color Correction, Gradient removal (Grad Xterminator), Cleanup

HOME   GALAXIES     EMISSION NEBS     REFLECTION NEBS   COMETS  
   GLOBULARS     OPEN CLUST     PLANETARIES     LINKS