IC 2220, the Toby Jug Nebula, sits in Carina and rewards long integration with subtle dust detail. I captured this HaLRGB image from Obstech (Observatorio El Sauce), Chile, and I focused on preserving both the hydrogen glow and the reflected dust that shapes the nebula.
Target Details
IC 2220 challenges imagers because it shows low contrast and faint structure. First, I used deep H-alpha data to strengthen the ionized gas signal. Then, I used LRGB data to reveal the dust layers around the brighter contours. As a result, the image separates gas, reflected light, and dark lanes more clearly.
Processing Notes
At the same time, I avoided aggressive contrast so the nebula would keep its natural look. Instead, I used smooth gradient control, restrained saturation, and gentle local contrast. Consequently, the faint outer envelope remains visible, and the internal shape of IC 2220 stays coherent from core to edge.
I blended Ha into both structure and color workflows to improve definition without overpowering the palette. Next, I tuned star color and noise reduction so fine dust could emerge cleanly. Finally, I protected faint boundaries to prevent clipping and preserve depth across the field.
Equipment and Acquisition
- Location: Obstech (Observatorio El Sauce), Chile
- Telescope: PlaneWave CDK500 Observatory System
- Camera: Moravian C3-61000 PRO
- Filters: Chroma L, R, G, B, 5nm Ha
- Integration: L=66x600s, R=59x300s, G=65x300s, B=64x300s, Ha=20x1200s (33.33 hours total)
- Processing: PixInsight and Adobe Photoshop
Additional Information
- SIMBAD database entry for IC 2220
- Background on reflection nebulae (Wikipedia)
- See more deep-sky work in the Gallery and the Nebulae category