Astrophotography is one of those things that can leave many people feeling frustrated, particularly when it comes to uncontrollable variables like the weather. Because of the sensitivity of optical transparency to volatile sky conditions, imaging conditions can often be far from perfect. However, this does not mean that it is completely impossible to shoot under cloud cover. From locations where relatively clearer skies are rare, one has to make do with moving layers of clouds obscuring the faint starlight coming from the distance.
Indeed, such was the case when I attempted to image the Lagoon Nebula. Classified in Messier's catalogue as the 8th object, the Lagoon Nebula is a strong Hydrogen Alpha emitting region, with active star formation occurring as dense hydrogen clouds coalesce into a nuclear furnace. Despite the cloud cover, the stretched image unveils detail that could not be seen before post processing. Intricate tendrils of dark molecular clouds can be seen, silhouetting the glow of ionised gas.
Photographic Information:
Imaging location: East Coast Park, Singapore (Light pollution: Red zone/Outer City)
Date of data acquisition: 21 June 2014
Exposure Details: ~40min, 800mm FL at f/4
Camera: Canon EOS 600D Unmodified
Stacked with DSS, adjustment of curves and colors in Adobe Photoshop CS6.
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