The Witch’s Broom Nebula

The Veil Nebula is about 2,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

November 30, 2023

Same data as the last image, but reprocessed! Once again, a perfect example of the additional depth of color, balance, and overall detail in the nebula, as well as improved star size control.

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. 10, 2023

Frames: 80×120″(2h40m) (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c

Integration Time: 2h40m

Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/30

Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00

November 12, 2023

My first image of the Witch’s Broom, also known as Caldwell 34 or NGC 6960. This is the western portion of a delicate area of nebulosity that’s a part of the Veil Nebula or Cygnus Loop region, the other side of which contains the Eastern Veil. I plan to take a mosaic image of this entire region soon. Like my image of the Eastern Veil, there’s a short amount of integration time (2 hours 40 mins), but I’m happy with how this image turned out. I would like to add some more integration time to help add details in the future.