NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula; processed in SHO (Hubble Palette) using data captured 26&27 November 2023 from HCH, Colorado Springs, CO
Target Fun Facts
NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula is an HII emission nebula located in the Orion constellation and is associated with the open star cluster NGC 2175. It is thought to be located about 6,400 light-years away from Earth. The nebula may have formed through hierarchical collapse.
There is some equivocation in the use of the identifiers NGC 2174 and NGC 2175. These may apply to the entire nebula, to its brightest knot, or to the star cluster it includes. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook lists the entire nebula as 2174/2175 and does not mention the star cluster. The NGC Project (working from the original descriptive notes) assigns NGC 2174 to the prominent knot at J2000 06h 09m 23.7s, +20° 39′ 34″ and NGC 2175 to the entire nebula, and by extension to the star cluster. Simbad uses NGC 2174 for the nebula and NGC 2175 for the star cluster.
Glowing gas and dark dust do not survive well in the Monkey Head Nebula. Young stars near the center of the nebula generate stellar winds and high energy radiation that causes the nebula’s material to shift into complex shapes. The nebula is primarily composed of hydrogen which glows at infrared wavelengths due to the radiation.
{From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2174}
Other Designations: NGC 2174, NGC 2175
Subtype: Emission Nebula
Distance from Earth: 6400 light years
Size (apparent dimensions): 40′
Visual Magnitude: 6.8
Constellation: Orion
{ Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2174 }
Capture & Processing Notes
This was the ZWO EAF autofocuser’s “first light” after Paul had developed a way to attach it to Big Bertha. I was baffled, during the collect, why the autofocus chart, that is supposed to look like a hyperbola (setting the focus at the minimum point of the average star HFR) was a straight line. The next morning, after reaching out to a couple of forums (Starry Nights responses being especially useless) and an email to Nico Carver (who said, “It sounds like a mechanical issue, is the focusing tube moving when the knobs do?”). Nico was correct. When I told Paul that the screws connecting the EAF bracket to the focuser tube should not be too long to lock down the focusing mechanism, I had it exactly wrong. It turns out the screw on the bottom of the focuser is needed to provide the tension, so that the focusing tube actually does move when the focusing knob does! Lesson learned – luckily on the front patio (during a full moon), so not a huge loss.
The RGB version of this image, created from the same data collected on 26-27 November 2023 is below in the “other images of NGC2174” as I’ve been using the data for a number of experiments, that are described below. The image above was created by processing using the SHO or Hubble Palette processing method that I learned from Ann Chavtur. I created (and unshamedly posted) a v1 of the SHO image last night (6Jan2024), then after “sleeping” on it recreated a SHO v2 that I’m much happier with.
SHOv2 processing experiment results/thoughts: After finishing and posting the SHOv1 last night, then “sleeping” on it overnight, I decided to redo the SHO processing. This image was created using the data captured from the front patio on 26-27 November 2023 with Big Bertha and the ASI2400MC with the LeXtreme light pollution filter. This time strictly following Ann’s instructions and suggestions. Particularly the suggestion of using data captured with a dual narrowband filter (i.e., the LeX rather than a combination of the LeX and LPro) and to use a minimally stretched version of the .fits files going into the process (i.e., rather than the 20% stretch that I used in v1 that drove me to the struggles with background neutralization.
Right out of the chute, I’ve learned two things. First, I have never used the APP tool for star color correction – it’s amazing! What a fabulous job it does of correcting the star colors in an image that was collected using the LeXtreme filter that is filled with red “hot spots” instead of correctly colored stars! Second, I have never saved the FITS files in 32 bit, since LR/PS conversion to 16 bit is needed to enable most functionality. But I learned the error of that way when APP created the 32bit SHO fits file – the colors are much more vibrant and rich. Duh, 32 bit color space vs. 16 bit color space will do that. Then as I save into a .tiff for the LR/PS processing that is where I can scale it down to 16 bit without losing the color.
Much better result without the struggles – THANK YOU Ann! Version 1 has been purged from the gallery, with this much better Version 2!
Sequence plans included in this image: Total data included in image: 76x5min = 380min (6:20hrs)
Sequence plan (ASI2400BB-LeX, 26Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 41x5min. Captured 27Nov2023, 0220MST – 0552MST. Total exposure time: 3:25hrs
Sequence plan (ASI2400BB-LeX, 27Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 35x5min. Captured 28Nov2023, 0248MST – 0555MST. Total exposure time: 2:55hrs
Shooting location: HCH, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Processing: Stacked in APP as two-session image using HaOIII Color algorithm, star removal with StarNet++v2, processed in LR/PS.
Equipment
Polar alignment: QHYCCD camera (controlled by Polemaster)
Imaging stream: Orion 8″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera with Teleskop Service Flattener 1.0x for RC Telescopes (TS-RCFLAT2) and Optolong L-Extreme LP filter;
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount (controlled by EQMOD)
Autoguider: Orion 60mm Multi-Use Guide Scope, Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Mono Astrophotography Camera (controlled by PHD2)
All equipment controlled by HP Probook running Sequence Generator Pro v3.2.0.660.
Other images of NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula
Multi-session processing experiment
Capture & Processing Notes
Multi-session Notes: After processing the 26Nov2023 and 27Nov2023 data together (the image directly below) and not being able to tease out any color other than red out of the LeXtreme data, I decided to do a multi-session image with the other NGC2174 data I’ve collected – all from HCH, but with the RaBB (no filter) and ASI2400BZ (LPro). I also decided to do an experiment to see the difference between registering and integrating the finished images vs. restacking the RAW data as separate sessions.
Processing experiment results/thoughts: I generated two versions of the RGB image – one by registering and integrating following the process used for creating a mosaic (named MultiFITS) and one by stacking the RAW data as separate sessions (named 4session). Once the MultiFITS and 4-session images were created in APP, I processed the two using the same processing steps and settings (to the maximum extent possible). The initial crop produced images that were slightly different sizes (~14×14 for MultiFITS and ~17×17 for 4-session) – creating different sized images within the frame for the same size PS image size. Through the PS / LR processing, I duplicated the steps and settings. In the end, as I was exporting the 4-session images, realized that I didn’t like the final SharpenAI effect and created a new version with that layer hidden. In comparing side-by-side: NGC2174 Monkey Head-MultiFITS-26Feb222-20Feb26Nov27Nov23 vPS12x12NoText.jpg with NGC2174 Monkey Head-4session-26Feb222-20Feb26Nov27Nov23 vNoSharpenPS12x12NoText.jpg it seems that the MultiFITS version has more richness in color and more deepness in the blue, especially in the cheek area. Which, seems to be good news for future multi-session image creation as it’s much easier and less time consuming to register and stack the individual FITS files, than to go back find all the RAW lights and calibration frames and stack them from scratch. Of course, a single data point probably isn’t the most conclusive answer…so I see more experimentation in my future (especially if Mother Nature continues her cloudy moods).
Individual session Capture & Equipment
Capture Notes (26Feb2022): Dark skies trip was planned to Mills Canyon Rim, Kiowa National Grasslands for March’s New Moon (2Mar2022), but Mother Nature vetoed the trip. We shifted from the original plan of 27Feb – 2Mar, to 25-28Feb for clouds. On Wednesday, 23 Feb cancelled the trip – as the forecast was for one clear night and high winds and frigid temperatures throughout. Thus, the planned March dark skies targets were imaged from HCH front patio on 26 February (the one clear night we were going to have during the trip) and then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights – that all turned out to be clear, low winds, and mild temperatures! The imaging time was spent experimenting with the Optolong L-eXteme vs LPro filter to understand how the narrowband vs. wideband translated into image color; and the Ra vs. 60D to understand resolution vs sensor size.
Capture Notes (20Feb2023): I returned from the DAF SAB February trip to Edwards AFB on Friday, 17 February with the plan to depart for a dark skies trip on Saturday morning. Watching the weather all week had the number of clear nights ranging from zero to one at both Kiowa and Comanche. On Friday, we made the call that since the forecast was for a single clear night (Saturday) and high winds, it was not worth the trip. Turned out that we had clear skies in Colorado Springs on Saturday (and Sunday and Monday) – so I shot from the front patio. Since there was going to be no moon during the dark hours, I decided to try shooting with no light pollution filter – and two set-ups: ASI2400 on the SC (Askar600 and RC-135E mount) and Canon EOS Ra on BZ (EQ6R mount). The idea of shooting without a light pollution filter was not a good one. The idea of shooting with two setups also did not pan out – but did reveal that the backup control laptop (HCV hand-me-down laptop from Paul) did not have the processing capability to act as a control laptop. The next day, Paul ordered a new, second control laptop – another HP Probook. Imaging on Monday, 20 February 2023, the night of the New Moon, was with the “old” HP Probook (DSO CTRL 1), Big Zeus, ASI2400MC, and the LPro light pollution filter. NGC2174 Monkey Head was the first target of the evening. When it set at about 0100, switched to M101 Pinwheel Galaxy for the rest of the clear night.
Capture Notes (26Nov2023 & 27Nov2023): This was the ZWO EAF autofocuser’s “first light” after Paul had developed a way to attach it to Big Bertha. I was baffled, during the collect, why the autofocus chart, that is supposed to look like a hyperbola (setting the focus at the minimum point of the average star HFR) was a straight line. The next morning, after reaching out to a couple of forums (Starry Nights responses being especially useless) and an email to Nico Carver (who said, “It sounds like a mechanical issue, is the focusing tube moving when the knobs do?”). Nico was correct. When I told Paul that the screws connecting the EAF bracket to the focuser tube should not be too long to lock down the focusing mechanism, I had it exactly wrong. It turns out the screw on the bottom of the focuser is needed to provide the tension, so that the focusing tube actually does move when the focusing knob does! Lesson learned – luckily on the front patio (during a full moon), so not a huge loss.
Sequence plans included in this image: Total data included in image: 160x5min = 800min (13:20 hours)
Sequence plan (26Feb2022): ISO1600; 44x300sec; Total=3:40hrs (sequence planned for 50x300sec, camera battery ran out after shot #44)
Sequence plan (20Feb2023): Gain: 158, Temp: -0°C, no offset. BZLPro 40x5min. Captured 20Feb2023, 2130MST – 21Feb2023, 0057. Total exposure time: 3:20hrs.
Sequence plan (26Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 41x5min. Captured 27Nov2023, 0220MST – 0552MST. Total exposure time: 3:25hrs
Sequence plan (27Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 35x5min. Captured 28Nov2023, 0248MST – 0555MST. Total exposure time: 2:55hrs
Equipment
Imaging:
Ra-BB (26Feb2022): Canon EOS Ra with Optolong L-Pro LP filter; Orion 8″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope
ASI2400BZ-LPro (20Feb2023): Orion 10″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera with Optolong L-Pro LP filter.
ASI2400-BB-FF-LeX-EAF (26&27Nov2023): ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera with Teleskop Service Flattener 1.0x for RC Telescopes (TS-RCFLAT2) and Optolong L-Extreme LP filter; Orion 8″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope.
Autofocuser (26&27Nov2023): ZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser – Standard (EAF-5V-STD)
Mount:
BB/BZ – EQ6R (26Feb2022, 20Feb2023): Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount (controlled by EQMOD)
BB – RST-300 (26&27Nov2023): Rainbow Astro RST-300 (controlled by iHubo)
Polar alignment: QHYCCD camera (controlled by Polemaster for polar alignment)
Autoguiding: Orion 60mm Multi-Use Guide Scope with Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Mono Astrophotography Camera (controlled by PHD2);
NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula from HCH, Colorado Spring with Big Bertha, ASI2400, LeXtreme, 26-27Nov2023
Capture & Processing Notes
This was the ZWO EAF autofocuser’s “first light” after Paul had developed a way to attach it to Big Bertha. I was baffled, during the collect on the first night (26Nov2023), why the autofocus chart, that is supposed to look like a hyperbola (setting the focus at the minimum point of the average star HFR) was a straight line. The next morning, after reaching out to a couple of forums (Starry Nights responses being especially useless) and an email to Nico Carver (who said, “It sounds like a mechanical issue, is the focusing tube moving when the knobs do?”). Nico was correct. When I told Paul that the screws connecting the EAF bracket to the focuser tube should not be too long to lock down the focusing mechanism, I had it exactly wrong. It turns out the screw on the bottom of the focuser is needed to provide the tension, so that the focusing tube actually does move when the focusing knob does! Lesson learned – luckily on the front patio (during a full moon), so not a huge loss. The data collected on the 27th did use the autofocuser!
Sequence plans: Total data included in this image: 76x5min = 6:20hrs.
Sequence plan (26Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 41x5min. Captured 27Nov2023, 0220MST – 0552MST. Total exposure time: 3:25hrs
Sequence plan (27Nov2023): Gain 158, Offset 30, Temp 0°C; 35x5min. Captured 28Nov2023, 0248MST – 0555MST. Total exposure time: 2:55hrs
Shooting location: HCH, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Processing: Stacked in APP as two-session image using HaOIII Color algorithm, star removal with StarNet++v2, processed in LR/PS.
Equipment
Polar alignment: QHYCCD camera (controlled by Polemaster)
Imaging stream: Orion 8″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera with Teleskop Service Flattener 1.0x for RC Telescopes (TS-RCFLAT2) and Optolong L-Extreme LP filter;
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount (controlled by EQMOD)
Autoguider: Orion 60mm Multi-Use Guide Scope, Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Mono Astrophotography Camera (controlled by PHD2)
All equipment controlled by HP Probook running Sequence Generator Pro v3.2.0.660.
NGC2174 Monkey Head Nebula from HCH, Colorado Springs with Big Zeus, ASI2400MC, LPro filter, 20Feb2023
Capture & processing notes
I returned from the DAF SAB February trip to Edwards AFB on Friday, 17 February with the plan to depart for a dark skies trip on Saturday morning. Watching the weather all week had the number of clear nights ranging from zero to one at both Kiowa and Comanche. On Friday, we made the call that since the forecast was for a single clear night (Saturday) and high winds, it was not worth the trip. Turned out that we had clear skies in Colorado Springs on Saturday (and Sunday and Monday) – so I shot from the front patio. Since there was going to be no moon during the dark hours, I decided to try shooting with no light pollution filter – and two set-ups: ASI2400 on the SC (Askar600 and RC-135E mount) and Canon EOS Ra on BZ (EQ6R mount). The idea of shooting without a light pollution filter was not a good one. The idea of shooting with two setups also did not pan out – but did reveal that the backup control laptop (HCV hand-me-down laptop from Paul) did not have the processing capability to act as a control laptop. The next day, Paul ordered a new, second control laptop – another HP Probook. Imaging on Monday, 20 February 2023, the night of the New Moon, was with the “old” HP Probook (DSO CTRL 1), Big Zeus, ASI2400MC, and the LPro light pollution filter. NGC2174 Monkey Head was the first target of the evening. When it set at about 0100, switched to M101 Pinwheel Galaxy for the rest of the clear night.
Sequence plan: Gain: 158, Temp: -0°C, no offset. BZLPro 40x5min. Captured 20Feb2023, 2130MST – 21Feb2023, 0057. Total exposure time: 3:20hrs.
Capture: 20 February 2023
Shooting location: HCH, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Processing: Stacked in APP, processed in LR/PS.
Equipment
Polar alignment: QHYCCD camera (controlled by Polemaster)
Imaging stream: Orion 10″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, ZWO ASI2400MC imaging camera with Optolong L-Pro LP filter.
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount (controlled by EQMOD)
Autoguider: Orion 60mm Multi-Use Guide Scope, Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Mono Astrophotography Camera (controlled by PHD2)
All equipment controlled by HP Probook running Sequence Generator Pro v3.2.0.660.