Horsehead and Flame Nebula in HaRGB

I'm done playing with the Horsehead for now.  I am a little dissatisfied with the image in particular with the coarseness of the Ha data (see previous post: link).  As others have stated, Ha-filters on a DSLR collect only on the red channel so you have collect 4 times the amount than you would using a monochrome camera so this may be a reason for the coarseness.  On the other hand, it did bring out more detail than I ever could with just the RGB and for that I am pleased.  That being said here is my final image along with some others:

Final HaRGB - I like this the best

HaRGB - with addition of the HaR Channel Boost - I did not like this 

RGB - no Ha Data - OK

Horsehead Nebula IC 434 and Flame Nebula NGC 2024

Location: Home Monroe, CT
Date: 12-30-17(Ha), 1-2-18 (Ha), 1-13-18 (RGB), 1-14-18 (RGB), 1-20-18 (RGB), 1-24-18 (Ha)
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR, Astronomik Ha Clip-filter, Baader Neodymium Skyglow 2"
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 30 x 150s (Ha), 30 x 150s (Ha), 78 x 120 (RGB), 20 x 120 (RGB), 32 x 120 (RGB), 80 x 150s (Ha)
ISO: 1600
Temp: -12 C, -10 C, -15 C, -10 C, -5 C, 0 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Astronomy Tools, Lightroom.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

Ha Processing Difficulties

I have recently been shooting Ha-images with a 7 nm Astronmik clip in filter and a Canon T3i/600D modified camera. The setup is attached to an Orion ED80 f/7.5 refractor.  I have seen other Ha images with quite stunning results and my images look much less impressive.  There is more detail than the RGB image I took but I hopping for more.

Here are images of 5.8 hrs (140 x 150s, ISO1600) on the Horsehead Nebula:
Image 1 - DSS raw exposures default settings

Image 2 - DSS raw exposures super pixel mode
Image 3 - DSS tiff exposures default settings

I have been converting all of my RGB images to tiff and then stacking them as I like the way the stars look better.  The Tiff method does look smoother, however, stacking raw images seems to give more detail in Ha.  It is just the crunchy look that I am concerned with. Not sure if it my camera or if my processing is horrible.  I should mention my camera is a 5-year old work horse and I plan on getting a new monochrome CMOS as soon as finances are available.  If any one has any thoughts I would appreciate them. Cheers Kurt 

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Witch Head Nebula - Best I can do at my location.

Not hard to find a better image of the Witch Head Nebula.  Just look at any one else's.  I did learn that I need to head for darker locations when shooting dim reflection nebulae if they are less than 45 degrees looking south, at least with my equipment. Looking overhead my sky is a 5 on the Bortle light pollution index but looking south it is more like 8 given that Bridgeport is than 7 miles, Stamford is 25 miles, and Manhattan is 50 miles as the photon flies.  I thought I could get a better image since I have had pretty good luck with emission nebulae using the Astronomik UHC filter.  I did use the Baader Skyglow filter (UHC does not work well for reflection nebula) but this nebula is especially dim so I had no such luck.  So I had some fun turning up everything in order to see the nebula with all these wacky colors.   I feel defeated I could not get a better image but oh well, I thought the star field looked pretty cool.

NGC1909 - Witch Head Nebula
Location: Home Monroe, CT
Date: 1-18-18, 1-20-18
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR, Baader Skyglow
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 82 x 120s, 25 x 120s
ISO: 1600
Temp: -5 C, 4 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Astronomy Tools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

Horsehead and Flame Nebula in Ha

I was not planning on imaging this as I did it just last year and really want to go after the Witch Head Nubula.  However, it was finally clear, the temperature was somewhat tolerable, and the moon was out so I decided to image this gem again.  I was not totally happy with my image from last year as the Flame Nebula appeared to have the same color the Horsehead Nebula.  I believe this was a result of using the UHC filter.  It did bring out a great amount detail but I think it messed up the color a bit.  This time around I will try out my new Baader Neodymium Moon & Skyglow Filter for RGB data and combine it with this Ha data.

I have been converting my raw exposures to tiff and then stacking them in DSS as I get better star fields, however, I believe I am getting better nebula detail by stacking the raw Ha exposures in DSS. It would be great if there was some photo expert who knows why and what the best way to process these but after doing this stuff for the last few years I believe there is no "best" way.

Horsehead Nebula IC 434 and Flame Nebula NGC 2024
Location: Home Monroe, CT
Date: 12-30-17, 1-2-18
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR, Astronomik Ha Clip-filter

Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 30 x 150s, 30 x 150s
ISO: 1600
Temp: -12 C, -10 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Astronomy Tools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/