NGC 2158
Also Known as:
Object Type: Open Cluster
Constellation: Gemini
Distance from Earth: 11,000 light years
Apparent Magnitude: 8.6
Coordinates: RA 04H 10M 31S DEC 69deg 52min 47sec
Actual Size: 16 light years in diameter
Apparent Dimensions: 5 arcminutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Data
Date: February 3, 4, 2026 Start Time: 6:23PM / 6:19 PM End Time: 9:08PM / 10:11PM SQM: 18.85 / 19.01
Moon Age: 17 days (Feb 4) Moonrise: 8:24PM Moon Illumination: 87.3%
Temperature: 23 / 26.1 degrees F Humidity: 63% / 46% Dew Point: 12.4 / 8.1 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear early, clouds later
Comment: Started imaging NGC2158 on February 3rd however clouds rolled in earlier than expected. Completed imaging on February 4th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 monochrome Focuser: Optec QuickSync FT20
Telescope: Celestron 11 inch SCT Edge Focal Length: 2800mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: None Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Filter Wheel : ZWO EFW 7 position 2 inch Filter(s): Baader Lum CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader RED CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader GREEN CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader BLUE CMOS optimized 2 inch
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon 2 Power Control: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox V2
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: ASTAP Rotator/Control: Pegasus Unity Platform
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus HFR 3.49 Platesolve: Success on 2nd attempt both nights
Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SVX130 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SV35
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 1 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 0.6 arc-seconds RMS Feb 3rd, 0.5 to 0.56 arc-seconds RMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images Taken
Number of light frames (LUM): 35 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (Red): 35 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (Green): 30 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (Blue: 40 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 10.0
Total Integration Time: 4.67 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flat frames (LUM): 25 Duration: 0.12 Gain:100
Number of flat frames (Red): 25 Duration: 0.38 Gain: 100
Number of flat frames (Green): 25 Duration: 0.26 Gain: 100
Number of flat frames (Blue): 25 Duration: 0.49 Gain: 100
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration:
For each of the LUM, RED, GREEN, and BLUE lights: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, SubFrameSelector
StarAlign all calibrated lights using best LUM image as reference, ImageIntegration of each of the LUM, RED, GREEN, and BLUE sets
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction:
LUM DynamicCrop, GraXpert, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
RED/GREEN/BLUE DynamicCrop, GraXpert, ChannelCombination to create color image using only Red/Green/Blue, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear:
LUM: MultiscaleAdaptiveStretch
COLOR: MultiscaleAdaptiveStretch
ImageBlend of Luminance and color images, CurvesTransformation to increase color saturation, HistogramTransformation to darken background.
Notes:
Click Below Image for Full Size:
Click to Return to Home Page