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Abell 79 (PN A66 79, PN G102.9-02.3, PK 102-2.1) is a planetary nebula in Lacerta.
I captured it first 4 years ago with a planetary camera but I've learned a lot since then, both with capturing and processing.
And this object was the start of my love for the smal(ler), unknown objects

They are not sure if it is a planetary nebula or a supernova remnant. This also because the center star (mag17) is a cool dwarf which has not enough energy to "feed" the nebula. So they suspect that there is a undiscovered hot companion.
It has an apparent size of 2' x 1.5' and has a surface magnitude of around 16. The distance is also not exactly known. I did find 3300, 4200 or 4800 light years.


Bortle 6/7
Meade LX200 8" f/10 ACF OTA
Ioptron CEM25EC mount (no guiding)
Optolong L-eXtreme filter
Zwo ASI071MC Pro camera

Captured with SharpCap Pro
42 x 300sec / Gain 90 / Offset 4 / White balance R50 / B50
Dark and (dark)flat frames.

Stacked with SirilC (organizer software for SiriL)
Extracted Ha and OIII stacks.

Processed in SiriL and Photoshop
SiriL: background extraction, star de-saturation and stretching of the Ha and OIII stacks.
Photoshop: placed Ha in the Red Channel and OIII in the Green and Blue channels
Used StarXterminator and NoiseXterminator and Camera RAW Filter.
Crop only.

Hi,
Nice image thanks for all the info as well, with this hobby I think we are always learning as there is always a new process, new software, new kit to entice us.

Cheers
Nick

Thanks Nick
And indeed, it's learning over the years. But for me also trying new things, be it in the kind of of object or trying other settings. Experimenting

Menno

Interesting object Menno! If it is a planetary it's unusual - I think - because OIII is normally the dominant emission near hot white dwarf stars and this one is mainly red?