Centred in the image is the star cluster Melotte 15*. The image was a challenge to compose and a lot of time was spent trying to adjust the compositional balance. The image has been cropped. I have moved away from the common SHO colour scheme and have tried to get a more natural look. As with all narrow band imaging the word natural is extremely subjective.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51626160738_b0af57d033_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mE2yXC)Heart of Gold | Melotte 15 (https://flic.kr/p/2mE2yXC) by MessierX (https://www.flickr.com/photos/messierx/), on Flickr
Technical
Dates:Oct. 22, 2021
Imaging telescopes or lenses: William Optics GT71 II APO
Imaging cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro (cooled) ASI294MM PRO
Mounts: Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO (belt modification)
Guiding telescopes or lenses: William Optics 50/200 GuideScope
Guiding cameras: ZWO ASI120MM-S ASI 120MM-S
Focal reducers: William Optics Adjustable Flat6A III 0.8x Reducer / Flattener
Software: Asi Air for IOS · PixInsight 1.8.7 Ripley PixInsight
Filters: Baader Ha, OIII, SII 1.25 inch
Accessory: ZWO ASI Air · Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox
Frames:Baader Ha, OIII, SII 1.25 inch: 247x180" (12h 21') (gain: 120.00) -10C bin 2x2
Integration: 12h 21'
Darks: 41
Flats: 41
Flat darks: 41
Avg. Moon age: 16.47 days
Avg. Moon phase: 96.74%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 8.00
Temperature: 16.00
RA center: 02h33m03s.469
DEC center: +61°24′40″.45
Pixel scale: 1.422 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: -151.410 degrees
Field radius: 1.097 degrees
Clear Skies
G
Gorgeous. I really like the way it appears 3d.
Regards,
John
Thanks John. Any 3D effect is purely accidental :)
G
That's very nice Garrick, I like the colour and the detail in Melotte 15 is very very nice, you should consider doing a crop of this area as a separate image for a close up view.
Carole
Excellent shot showing this object in all its glory 8) Very nice processing 👍 Sharp details across magnifications.
Roberto
Nice and detailed,
Roger