The Cocoon Nebula
Caldwell 19, also known as the Cocoon Nebula, is a small star-forming region of nebulosity in the constellation of Lacerta (near Cygnus) about 4,000 light years away. It is a young star forming region. The dark tail coming off of the nebula is Barnard 168, a dark nebula.
November 17, 2023
Revisiting an old target with the new scope. The additional aperture and focal length really helps resolve the detail in the inner portion of the nebula, however, I found processing the dust around the nebula to be particularly challenging. I’m thinking that blending in data from the trusty old UV/IR cut filter could help in that regard, but that will need to wait for a moonless night in the future. I also noticed that most renditions of his target tend to have a very pink hue to the reds, which I just couldn’t replicate with my data. Nonetheless, I figured I’d post this processed version for now. I can always add to it later.
Technical Details
Imaging Telescope: Orion Optics UK Ideal 8
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filter: Antlia ALP-T Dual Band 5nm 2”
Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO Filter Drawer (Gen 2)
Software: PixInsight, Starnet, BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator
Guiding Telescope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
Imaging Dates: November 10, 12, 15, 2024
Frames (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c: 240x180” (12h)
Integration Time: 13h
Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/30
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 6.00
November 18, 2024
Completely Reprocessed in PixInisght.
Technical Details
Imaging Telescope: William Optics RedCat 51 II
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filter: SVBony UV/IR Cut 2”
Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO Filter Drawer (Gen 2)
Software: PixInsight, Starnet, BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator
Guiding Telescope: William Optics UniGuide 32
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
Imaging Dates: Nov. 21, 2023
Frames (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c: 89×180″(4h27m)
Integration Time: 4h27m
Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/26
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00
November 29, 2023
I’ve learned a new processing method that better captures the details in the dark dusty areas of the image, and better handles the stars. So I went ahead and reprocessed the same data from my prior post, and this is the result. I think it looks wonderful, though I’m sure I could always use a bit more integration time! The dusty tail you see is known as Barnard 168. The Barnard catalogue is full of all of these dark dusty areas, and ‘m excited to capture more of them now that I’ve learned a better method to process my data!
Technical Details
Imaging Telescope: William Optics RedCat 51 II
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filter: SVBony UV/IR Cut 2”
Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO Filter Drawer (Gen 2)
Software: Siril, Photoshop, NoiseXterminator, Starnet
Guiding Telescope: William Optics UniGuide 32
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
Imaging Dates: Nov. 21, 2023
Frames (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c: 89×180″(4h27m)
Integration Time: 4h27m
Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/26
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00
November 22, 2023
My first image of Caldwell 19, a star forming region known as the Cocoon Nebula. The image also includes Barnard 168, a region of dark nebulosity that looks like a long tail extending up from the nebula. Anything under 8-10 hours is generally considered a short amount of integration time for a nebula, and a very short time for dark nebula. That said, at 4 hours and 27 minutes, I’m generally happy with how this image turned out so far. I will certainly be adding more integration time to this one in the future, but I think I will need to purchase a filter to enhance the contrast of the nebulosity against the blanket of stars. Most regions of nebulosity are in the galactic plane, which as you can imagine, has seemingly infinite stars. (They say the milky was has about 100 billion stars!)
Technical Details
Imaging Telescope: William Optics RedCat 51 II
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filter: SVBony UV/IR Cut 2”
Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO Filter Drawer (Gen 2)
Software: DSS, Siril, Photoshop, AstroFlat Pro, NoiseXterminator, StarXterminator, Astronomy Tools Actions Set
Guiding Telescope: William Optics UniGuide 32
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
Imaging Dates: Nov. 21, 2023
Frames (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c: 89×180″(4h27m)
Integration Time: 4h27m
Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/26
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00