Rian-Pascal Bergen

Psalm 111:1-10

Messier 27, or Dumbbell Nebula, Processed 20210814

20210814 Messier 27 High Point Scientific Contest

This is my submission for the #hpsdumbbell contest/challenge by High Point Scientific. The challenge was to take 43 hours of data that they provided (not my data), and process it myself. The winner of this contest would receive an Apertura 6RC. Hint: I didn’t win. I did, however, still very much enjoy the challenge. It was very interesting working with someone else’s data for a change.

Processing Steps

Adobe Photoshop 2021
- Using 40 hours of Narrowband and 3 Hours of RGB Data Provided by High Point Scientific
- HA and Red Stack combined using Linear Dodge (Add). Same with OIII and Blue Stack. These combined files were then combined in the HOO palette. A bunch of Levels and Curves adjustments were then applied. To finish it off, some Vibrancy as well selective contrast enhancements were applied.
- Red, Green, and Blue Stack were combined into and RGB image. A few Levels and Curves Adjustments were then applied.
- Created a Starless and Star Only version of Both (HOO and RGB). I used the background of the RGB Starless (cleaner), the nebulosity of the HOO, some selective layer masks for the center of the nebula, and then the stars from the RGB image (proper star colors).