Cygnus Loop

Sharpless 103, a large supernova remnant in Cygnus. This is one of my favorite parts of the night sky to photograph, so it’s where I turned my newest telescope for its first night out.

I’ve previously captured the Witch’s Broom in the Western Veil nebula in 2017, and again last year as part of a two-panel mosaic with more of the surrounding nebulousity. This time I’ve tried to capture the whole Cyngus Loop in a single frame.

Next time I think I would try portrait-framing. I was trying to get some of the faint gasses off the lower right in this frame, but I think it’s better suited to the eastern and western veils being perpendicular to the frame.

Frames
120
Time
2h
Exposure
60s
Mode
HGM2
Gain
56
Offset
25
Telescope
William Optics RedCat 71 WIFD
Mount
Losmandy GM-8 German Equatorial Mount, Gemini 2, Losmandy FLW Tripod
Camera
QHY 268C
Guider
QHY 5III7C
Filters
Optolong L-eNhance dual-band pass Filter
Accessories
ZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser, iOptron iPolar
Software
N.I.N.A., PHD2 Guiding, SkySafari Pro, AstroPixelProcessor, Capture One