| Search results - "cluster" |
The IC 1805 region1101 views IC 1805 is a bright heart-shaped emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The open cluster in the center of IC 1805 is Melotte 15 that contains several extremely large stars whose intense radiation ionizes the hydrogen gas in the region. To the lower left of IC 1805 is the bright nebula NGC 896. To the mid-right of IC 1805 is the open cluster NGC 1027. The image encompasses a vast region with the image scale being approximately 3.1 x 2 degrees.
The image was taken with a Canon 60Da DSLR (ISO 800) and a Takahashi FSQ 106ED with focal reducer (f/3.6; focal length = 385 mm) on an Astro-Physics 1200 mount. Image was a total of 6 hours 15 minutes exposure [75 x 300 sec lights (guided with a Takahashi Mewlon 300/SBIG ST-i); 12 darks; 128 bias; 64 flats]. Images selected (SubframeSelector), calibrated (using a “superbias†master), registered, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8.3.1115.
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M 45 and associated Nebulosity1190 viewsMessier 45, commonly known as the Pleiades, is an open cluster found in the constellation Taurus. Messier 45 is surrounded by a dusty reflection nebula, which accounts for its blue coloration, along with some pinkish-red coloration due to an ionized gas component. The small 17.3 magnitude galaxy PGC 13696 can be seen to the right of the star Electra (17 Tau), which is the bright star to the right of center.
The data was previously obtained on the nights of November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2013 with a OSC SBIG STF-8300c camera and Takahashi E-130D f/3.3 Astrograph on a Paramount (Mayhill, NM). Total integration time was 4 hr 20 min (26 x 10 min lights @ -20 degrees C; 20 darks; 64 flats, 64 bias). Calibrated, registered, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8.3.1123.
Some comments on processing: The calibrated, registered, and integrated OSC image was duplicated and the R, G, and B channels extracted. The R, G, and B channels were combined with the Integration Tool to prepare a synthetic luminance (SynL). Dynamic Background Extraction ( DBE) and Deconvolution applied to the SynL image. DBE, Background Neutralization, and Color Calibration was applied to the original RGB image. Both the RGB and SynL images were stretched (Masked Stretch tool). The luminance (“lightness†using L*a*b*) was extracted from the RGB image and the Linear Fit tool was used to match the stretch of the luminance to the SynL channel (SynL as reference). The fitted luminance was added back to the RGB image using the Channel Combination tool in L*a*b* mode. The SynLRGB image was made using LRGB Combine tool. Further processing included noise reduction, multiscale processing to bring out faint structure, color saturation, sharpening, and contrast enhancement.
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Open Clusters M 46, M47, and NGC 2423 in Puppis731 viewsThe open clusters Messier 46, Messier 47, and NGC 2423 are found in the constellation Puppis embedded in a rich field of Milky Way stars. The small planetary nebula NGC 2438 that appears to be in M 46 is actually not associated with the cluster. M 46 was discovered by Messier in 1771. Smyth describes it as a “A noble, but rather loose assemblage of stars†(Smyth and Chambers, A Cycle of Celestial Objects, 2nd Edition, 1881, Oxford) whereas Webb describes it as a “Beautiful circular cloud of small stars†(Webb, Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes, 4th Ed, 1881, Longmans, Green, and Co ). William Herschel observed the small planetary nebula NGC 2438 in 1786. M 47 was also discovered by Messier in 1771 but not intermediately attributed to Messier due to a mathematical mistake in his coordinates. The cluster was described by Smyth as “a very splendid field of of large and small stars†(under the entry 38 H VIII) and Webb as a “Grand broad group, visible to the naked eyeâ€. This wide field picture was taken with a Takahashi FSQ106ED with focal reducer (f/3.6), Canon 60Da DSLR camera (2.32 arcsec/pixel), and an Astro-Physics 1200 mount on 15 March 2015 in Mayhill, NM.. Total exposure of 1 hour (4 x 15 min lights, dithered; 12 darks; 128 bias; 64 flats); Baader/Astro-Physics guider system; Image acquisition with MaxIm DL; Calibration, alignment, integration, and image processing with PixInsight 1.8.3.1123.
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The Double Cluster in Perseus764 viewsThe Double Cluster in Perseus, NGC 869 and NGC 884, are bright (naked-eye visible as a hazy patch) relatively young open clusters. Each cluster contains about 300 stars, many of which are blue-white supergiants. Image is a total of 5 hours combined exposure (20 x 900 sec lights, -20 degrees C; 35 darks; 126 flats; 128 bias) taken with an SBIG STF8300c camera; Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8 astrograph; Astro-Physics 1200 mount; Image acquisition with MaxIm DL 6; processed with PixInsight 1.8.3.1123.
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IC 1848 and associated Nebulae in the Perseus Arm of our Milky Way768 viewsIn the center of the image is the open cluster IC 1848, which is in the constellation Cassiopeia. The open cluster is surrounded by the emission nebula SH2-199, which is a massive star forming region. The small emission nebula IC 1871 is seen partially at the top center. The entire nebulous region is often called the Soul Nebula. Image was a total combined exposure of 8 hr 45 min taken over 6 nights (35 x 900 sec lights at -20 degrees, dithered; 35 darks, 128 bias, 128 flats); Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8 astrograph; Paramount ME; SBIG STF 8300c; ST-i guide camera using Astro-Physics/Baader guide system; Maxim DL 6; PixInsight 1.8.3; Adobe Photoshop CC.
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Emission nebula IC 410 and the Tadpoles in HaRGB812 viewsThe emission nebula IC 410 and the embedded open star cluster NGC 1893 are found in the constellation Auriga. The emission of IC 410, which is about 12,000 light-years away, is powered by the young hot stars in NGC 1893. The gas streamers just to the right and above center, often called the “Tadpolesâ€, are moving away from the center of the nebula. Picture is a HaRGB image taken with a Takahashi CCA-250 f/5 astrograph and a QSI683wsg camera (SBIG ST-i guider) on a Paramount ME. The Ha channel (used as Luminance) was blended with the RGB synthetic luminance (80:20, respectively) to give a more natural star color (Pixel Math). The image is a total of 11 hours exposure (24 x 20 min Ha, 3 x 20 min each R,G, and B, all binned 1x1 @ -20 degrees C, dithered;), acquired with MaxIm DL 6.07, and processed with PixInsight 1.8.3.1123 Ripley (x64). Ha filter (5nm bandwidth), R, G, and B were 31 mm Astrodon Gen2 filters.
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IC 410 and the Tadpoles in Ha788 viewsThe emission nebula IC 410 and the embedded open star cluster NGC 1893 are found in the constellation Auriga. The emission of IC 410, which is about 12,000 light-years away, is powered by the young hot stars in NGC 1893. The gas streamers just to the right and above center, often called the “Tadpolesâ€, are moving away from the center of the nebula. The image is a Ha image, which shows the extent of the hydrogen emission in the region. The image was taken with a Takahashi CCA-250 astrograph and the QSI683wsg camera (SBIG ST-i guider) on a Paramount ME. The image is a total of 8 hours exposure (24 x 20 min lights @ -20 degrees C, dithered; 21 darks; 126 bias; 128 flats), acquired with MaxIm DL 6.07, and processed with PixInsight 1.8.3.1123 Ripley (x64). Ha filter was an 5nm bandwidth 31 mm Astrodon Gen 2 filter.
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Messier 45 in the constellation Taurus1170 viewsMessier 45, commonly known as the Pleiades, is an open cluster found in the constellation Taurus. Messier 45 is surrounded by a dusty reflection nebula, which accounts for its blue coloration, along with some pinkish-red coloration due to an ionized gas component. The image was processed with multiscale processing in PixInsight. The image taken with a Takahashi E-130D f/3.3 astrograph and a SBIG STF-8300c camera on a Paramount. Total integration time was 4 hr 20 min (26 x 10 min lights @ -20 degrees C; 20 darks; 64 flats, 64 bias). Images were graded in Images Plus 5.0; Sub-exposures calibrated, registered, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8.2.1098.
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Trumpler 37 and IC 13961147 viewsThe bright open cluster Trumpler 37, which is approximately 90' in diameter, is surrounded by the even larger emission nebula IC 1396 (170' x 140'). Both are found in the constellation Cepheus. The bright-rimmed globule extending downward towards the center of the image is often called the Elephant's Trunk Nebula. The image is a total integrated exposure time of 4 hrs 40 min with a modified Canon 40D and a Takahashi Epsilon E-180 f/2.8 astrograph on a Paramount; 28 x 10 min lights; 12 darks; 65 flats; 64 bias; Images graded in Images Plus 5.0; Calibrated, registared, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8 RC7; Final adjustments in Photoshop CS6/CC.
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NGC 281 The Packman Nebula1186 viewsNGC 281, aka the Packman Nebula, is an emission nebula (H II region) in the constellation Cassiopeia. The nebula also contains the open cluster IC 1590, whose OB stars ionize the hydrogen, as well as several dark Bok globules. The image was taken with a TeleVue 140 f/5 refractor and SBIG ST2000xcm camera @ -15 degrees C on an Astro-Physics 1200 mount. Image was a total of 3 hours 40 minutes integration time (22 x 10 min guided lights; 15 darks, 64 flats, 64 bias). Individual lights graded in Images Plus 5.0; Calibrated, registered, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8, with final levels adjustment in Adobe Photoshop CC.
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IC 410, NGC 1893, and the "Tadpoles"1056 viewsThe emission nebula IC 410 and the embedded open star cluster NGC 1893 are found in the constellation Auriga. The emission of IC 410, which is about 12,000 light-years away, is powered by the young hot stars in NGC 1893. The gas streamers just to the right and above center, often called the "Tadpoles", are moving away from the center of the nebula. The image is a total of 9 hours 40 minutes exposure with TeleVue 140 f/5 refractor and SBIG ST2000xcm camera on a Astro-Physics 1200 mount (58 x 10 min lights at –20 degrees C; 20 darks; 64 bias; 64 flats; Images graded in Images Plus 5.0 and calibrated, aligned, integrated, and processed in PixInsight 1.8; final adjustment of star color with Photoshop CC)
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Messier 111131 viewsMessier 11, often called the Wild Duck Cluster, is found in the constellation Scutum in a rich region of our Milky Way galaxy. There are about 2900 stars attributed to the cluster. Total exposure was 3 hours 20 min through a TeleVue 140 f/5 refractor with a SBIG ST2000xcm camera on an Astro-Physics 1200 mount (20 x 10 min lights; 15 darks; 64 flats; 64 bias). Lights graded in Images Plus 5.0; processed in PixInsight 1.8 with final levels/curves adjustment in Adobe Photoshop CC.
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