The Cygnus Wall is exactly that: a 20 light-year long wall of dust and gas in the constellation of the Swan, where thousands of stars are being formed under immense gravitational pressure. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the defining structures of the North American Nebula, a massive emission nebula 1500 light-years away. In reality, the nebulosity isn’t yellow and blue: this is a result of creatively merging three specific narrowband images–centered around the emission lines of hydrogen-alpha, oxygen-III, and sulfur-II–in order to produce an aesthetically appealing “false color” photo. Additionally, the nebulosity is further accentuated when the stars in the field are digitally removed. Although astrophotography is rooted in empirical science, each photographer’s artistic interpretation of a target brings the photos to life.
Acquisition Date: August 14-August 17, 2022
Acquisition Site: Backyard, San Carlos, CA
Image Specs: Ha 59 x 300s (4h 55m), OIII 64 x 300s (5h 20m), SII 59 x 300s (4h 55m)
Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro, Takahashi TOA-130NFB, AP1200GTO mount, Chroma 3nm narrowband filters