APY Masterclass Framing a dark molecular cloud
Expert processing tips to enhance your astrophotos
The juxtaposition of objects in an astrophoto can make an enticing composition. I used this idea as the basis for my image of the dark molecular cloud NGC 6729 in Corona Australis and globular cluster NGC 6723, just 15 arcminutes distant in Sagittarius, which was shortlisted in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2021 competition. Here, I’ll explain the steps that helped me create this image.
If you are planning an image like this, the free sky atlas Aladin () allows you to simulate your main and guide camera’s field of view and apply these to provide the desired layout and optimal guide star placement. This is the first step in understanding how your image will look, plus it provides you with the precise astronomical coordinates for the object and camera rotation in degrees.
