The image presents a fresh visual of a very familiar object. Rather than isolating the nebula through narrowband contrast, this image blends broadband LRGB with Ha and OIII data to retain a more natural look while bringing out the faint dust and extended Ha emission around the California Nebula.

It shows how processing choices still allow us to get creative results even on familiar objects and even with tiny refractors.

Telescope: WO RedCat 51
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM
Mount: ZWO AM5
Filters: Antlia 3nm Ha and Oiii
Software: PixInsight and Photoshop

Acquisition details
L: 10h10'
R: 4h10'
G: 4h10'
B: 4h10'
Ha: 17h45'
Oiii: 12h5'
Total: 52h30'

Software: PixInsight, Adobe Photoshop