In this paper, I will go through the entire process of how I acquire and process images of the helix Numbuala.

Due to the lack of fine equipment and the distance of the object. I decided to use “observing with NASA” to get my initial images of the Helix Nebula. (Link)

For stacking purposes, I acquired two sets of RGB images.

First, I was able to use the integrated JS-9 website to create the two RGB images.

Procedures are as follows:

First, use the “subtract” function under “image math” to subtract the “Dark-B” image from the “red”, “green”, and “blue” images correspondingly.

Second, switch the scale to linear and then tune the parameters of each picture, then apply the corresponding colored filter to each.

Third, use rgb mode in the colored filter to stack the two colored photos.

At last, save both images as PNG and reopen them in JS-9, use the “blending” effect to stack the two png pictures manually.

And this is the end of the JS-9 part.

Next, I used Adobe Photoshop to do some basic noise cancellation:

First, I imported this photo into Photoshop, then I made a layer copy for it and named it “Base”; all the filtering will be happening on this “Base” layer.

Then, I will start to deal with the colored noise first, which is the sharp colored dots you see in the picture.

We choose “Filter” and “ Camera Raw Filter” for the current layer, and the parameters are as follows:

After hitting OK, I made a copy of this layer and renamed it “Low.”

Then, under “Blur”, I chose Gaussian Blur with radius 3 px.

The purpose of this layer is to reduce as much noise as possible, without taking care of the finer details.

Then, I apply the camera raw filter once more to the Base Layer, and make another copy called “high.” Hit “apply image” and put in the following parameters:

The purpose of this layer is to extract all the start details from the original image, enhancing them.

The next step I took was some more noise reduction since the original resolution was too low, and there were still many obvious noises. 

I select “Filter”, then under “Noise”, I chose “Dust& Scratches”, I put in “radius:1, Threshold:15.”

Afterwards, I combined the four images I have altogether, but first, I have to tune the opacity of each; the opacities are as follows:

High: 20%

Low:35%

High:100%

Base:100%

Original Layer:80%

After merging them, I was able to get the following:

There is significantly less noise, but due to resolution issues, some of the details were damaged; overall, this was a successful run.