After capturing the luminous spiral arms of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
I realized that Ahmed Wegdan was right.
He always emphasized the importance of showcasing Hydrogen-alpha emission details in any image. With that in mind, I chose the Strawberry Nebula (Sh2-263) as my next target.
Despite the challenges with focusing, my dedication paid off.
Here are some details about the focus issues I encountered:
I acquired the Wanderer Astro Rotator and the filter wheel from ZWO. My back focus is supposed to be 74mm after the reducer,
but I have either 73.5mm or 74.5mm. When I set the back focus to 73.5mm or 74.5mm, I encountered numerous errors in N.I.N.A:
"Autofocus failed!
"Coefficient of determination for curve fitting is below threshold"
This issue is something I will be working on to fix, but as always, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve.
So here is a little description of my Celestial Strawberry.
The SH2-263, affectionately known as the Strawberry Nebula or Raspberry Nebula,
is located near the "head" of the Orion Constellation.
It is a complex object consisting of a reflection nebula and several emission nebulae, and is located 1300 light years away,
SH2-263 is a breathtaking sight to behold. This image captures the nebula's vibrant red and blue hues,
with a bright star near the center illuminating the surrounding gas and dust.
The intricate structure and vivid colors make it a fascinating subject for astronomical observation and study.
The red regions in the nebula are likely areas of ionized hydrogen gas,
while the blue regions may be due to reflection nebulae where starlight is scattered by dust.
The numerous stars scattered throughout the field add to the celestial beauty,
this image of SH2-263 is a stunning representation of the wonders of the universe.
Telescope TS-Optics 300mm/12" f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph (truss)
Camera ZWO ASI2600MC DUO
Mount iOptron CEM120
Filters Antlia Triband RGB Ultra Filter - 2.00'' Mounted, Player One Anti-Halo Pro Dual-Band Ha+OIII Filter 2", Radian Triad Ultra 2"
Location: Matthews, NC
Date: January 2025