This is a 2-framer using the Sky 90/SXVF-M25C combo and incorporates RGB, H-alpha and OIII narrowband data as well.  Total exposure time around 32-hours, total image processing time – at least the same.  It is clear that this object sits in the Milky Way – look at all those stars!

The most surprising thing about this object as far as imaging is concerned is what a huge impact even a little OIII narrowband data makes in bringing out the fine filamentary detail you see in this image.

However, the project has turned into an even bigger undertaking. 

I decided that I needed to get the nebulosity south of this region, so I embarked on a full two-frame Sky 90/M25C mosaic to capture the whole of the Veil complex.  I now only need the RGB data of the southern region (H-alpha and OIII already taken) in order to have an extremely deep and detailed image of the whole of the Veil.

The statistics make frightening reading.  So far I have taken 142 sub-exposures amounting to 27 hours total imaging time and a 1.7 GB file size.  The addition of the final RGB data is likely to take this project to over 30 hours total imaging time with a file size in excess of 2 GB. 

I am not sure I will undertake such a mammoth task again without the aid of the mini-WASP array!

The original image is on the left and the improved images (with H-alpha and OIII narrowband data) is on the right:

This image comprises over 17 hours of total exposure time including 3 and a half hours of narrow band H-alpha data.  Over 8 hours of Hyperstar data for the Witch’s Broom region was also included in this image [these 8 hours were extra to the 17 hours taken on the Sky 90/M25C].

Processing time more than equaled imaging time on this one and Noel excelled himself here managing to squeeze out the very last traces of the Veil amidst a mass of overpowering stars – and quite a lot of Moon glow!

Why is the project only 90% complete? 

I have only just ordered an OIII filter [from Ian King imaging] to try and boost the blue/green regions you can see in the image.  If I can add this data in before the Veil moves into an unfavorable region of the sky [only a week or two away now] then I may finish this mega-project off this year.

I think I’d really like to give this one a good try, however that field of view (FOV) of 4.2 x 4.4 degrees would mean a 2-frame mosaic with the Sky 90/M25C combination, and I’m not too happy about spending that much time on just one object, especially with short evenings.

However, Steve Cannistra has also imaged the Veil region with a set up that has a very similar field of view to mine and although it doesn’t get the whole of the region in the frame, it still makes a very impressive image.

Taking all things into account, I will try to get a very deep single-frame image of the veil region using the one-shot camera and the usual Hutech IDAS light pollution filter. 

I know from the previous work I carried out on the Witch’s Broom region of the veil with the Sky 90/SXV-H9C combination that the one-shot is fine for this purpose. 

The only thing that I don’t know is how good (or not) the one-shot will be at picking up the faint stuff between the Eastern and Western veil regions.  I guess the only way to find out will be to image the thing this summer

I’m going to be posting more about the Veil Nebula project and you can follow my progress in the Veil Nebula Category or by clicking on the links below [which also happen to be from the Veil Nebula category]:

• The Veil nebula - reloaded, March 20th, 2008
• The Veil nebula in Cygnus - a supernova remnant, March 18th, 2008
• The whole of the Veil nebula in Cygnus, March 17th, 2008
• The Veil Nebula in Cygnus Imaging Project: Almost, but not quite..., September 8th, 2007
• The Veil Nebula in Cygnus Imaging Project: 90% Complete, August 31st, 2007
• Summer 2007 Imaging Project: The Veil Nebula in Cygnus, January 11th, 2007

The diagram from Cartes du Ciel will give you an indication of where the Veil Nebula is in the night sky: