1/1
[ stop the slideshow ]

M20 07252011

M20_07252011.jpg ThumbnailsThumbnailsThumbnailsThumbnailsThumbnails

M20, the Trifid Nebula in the constellation Sagittarius. The object is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the lower, red portion), a reflection nebula (the upper, blue portion mostly not visible here) and a dark nebula (the apparent 'gaps' within the emission nebula that cause the trifid appearance. This nebula is 7600ly from Earth. 19x300sec fits exposures captured and combined in Nebulosity v2.4.0 software. Finishing touches done in PhotoShop. Telescope: Orion 8" 1000mm f4.9 Newtonian reflector. Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G Guide Scope: Meade 800mm f10 reduced to f5 with Atik x.5 focal length reducer (ADM rings). Imaging Camera: Mead DSI Color 16bit camera with Peltier cooler modification. Guide Camera: Meade DSI Pro monochrome 16bit camera. Imaging camera in prime focus. Filtration used: Baader UV/IR Cut filter · Date/Time 2011:07:25 20:51:43 · Resolution 900 x 659