Mythology:

Hercules, also known as Heracles in Greek mythology, is a legendary figure celebrated for his strength and numerous far-ranging adventures. Here are some key aspects of his mythological background:

1. Birth and Early Life:
   Hercules was the son of Jupiter (Zeus) and the mortal woman Alcmena. His personal challenges began at birth. Juno (Hera) sent serpents to kill him, but the infant Hercules strangled them both. In one version of the myth, Alcmena abandoned him in the woods, where he was found by the goddess Minerva (Athena) and suckled by Juno. This act inadvertently imbued him with further strength and power.

2. Roman Adaptation:
   The Romans adapted Hercules from the Greek hero Heracles, incorporating his iconography and myths into their literature and art. In later Western art and culture, the name Hercules is more commonly used than Heracles.

3. Contradictory Characteristics:

   • Hercules is multifaceted, with contradictory traits. Artists and writers could choose how to represent him. He is famous for his strength, bravery, and numerous feats.

4. Legacy and Influence:
   The term “Herculean” still refers to immense strength and power. His labors, such as defeating the Nemean Lion and cleaning the Augean stables, are well-known. Hercules became a symbol of masculine power and bravery, leaving an indelible mark on mythology and culture.

!Hercules battles Achelous1

PixInsight Processing Details

1. WBPP used for calibrating, cosmetic correction, and stacking if Lights, Bias, and Flats and Drizzling.

2. Used DynamicCrop to deal with poor flats

3. GraXpert to remove gradients from each image.

4. BlurXterminator correct only R,G,B

5. RGB Channel Combination with... RGB images

6. Used SpectrophotometricCC in RGB mode to color correct everything

7. Used Statistical Stretch script on RGB image into the Linear State

Processing on the Luminance Channel

8. Removed Stars using StarXTerminator

9. NoiseXterminator @ 90

10. HDRMultiscaleTransform at level 7 to tone down the Core of the cluster and enhance details

11. Very slight S-Curves Adjustment

12. LocalHistogramEqualization @ 75

13. Used ColorSaturation to boost overall colors of entire image

14. Using a Blue Mask, boosted the blue star colors with CurvesTransformation

15. ICCProfileTransformation (Ready image for the Web)