Sharpless 155 (Sh2-155)
Common Name: Cave Nebula
Also Known as: Caldwell 9
Object Type: Diffuse Nebula
Constellation: Cepheus
Distance from Earth: 2,400 Light years
Apparent Magnitude: 7.7
Coordinates: RA 22H 57M 17.14S DEC 62 deg 28 min 33.4 sec
Actual Size: 70 light years in diameter
Apparent Dimensions: 50 arc-minutes x 30 arc-minutes
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Environmental Data
Date: September 2, 2024 Start Time: 8:30PM End Time: 3:41AM SQM: 19.19
Moon Age: 29.2 days Moonset: 7:19PM Moon Illumination: 0.2%
Temperature: 69 degrees F Humidity: 71% Dew Point: 59 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear
Comment: PHD 2 Calibration performed.
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Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 OSC Focuser: Optec DirectSync SV35
Telescope: Stellarvue SVX130 refractor Focal Length: 910mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: Field Flattener Filter: IDAS NB-1
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon Power Control: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox V2 Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: ASTAP Rotator/Control: Pegasus Unity Platform
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus HFR 1.34 Platesolve: Success on 2nd attempt
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Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SV90 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SVX30
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 1-3 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: ~0.55 arc-seconds RMS
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Images Taken
Number of light frames: 100 Duration: 4 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: 0 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 6.67 hours
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Number of flat frames: 50 both nights Duration: 0.25 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: 0 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: 0 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: 0 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, Debayer, SubFrameSelector, StarAlign, ImageIntegration
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction: GradientCorrection, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator, StarXterminator
Non-Linear:
Stars only image: HistogramTransformation
Starless image only: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, CurvesTransformation, MultiscaleLinearTransform for sharpening and enhance blue.
ImageBlend to combine stars only and starless images.
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Notes:
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