evolution of an astrophoto

the processing evolution on an astrophoto. this is the fireworks galaxy ngc 6946 plus an open star cluster right by it


a single 3 minute exposure straight from the camera



5 hours worth of exposure plus calibration frames stacked




i use software called pixinsight for the heavy processing and stacking this is after the background has been neutralized in PI



after the background is removed the image is stretched to bring out the details while keeping teh background dark. you can really see the dust spots which is a side effect of stretching




cropped



final image after using photoshop do make teh background dark and remove dust spots. also used topaz photo ai for noise removal

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