The open star cluster Messier 16 (NGC 6611) and the H II region IC 4703 (Eagle Nebula) in the
constellation Serpens on August 7, 2016. Both the star cluster and the diffuse emission nebula are 7000 light-years from Earth. The cluster containing
approximately 8100 stars was discovered by the Swiss astronomer Philippe de Chéseaux in 1745-46. The emission nebula measures approximately 20 light-years
in diameter. The dark columns in the nebula (known as "Pillars of Creation") are composed of interstellar hydrogen gas and dust and it is believed that stars
are being formed in these regions (source: Wikipedia).
Twenty exposures of approximately 3 minutes at ISO 800 were stacked with no dark frame
subtraction with Deep Sky Stacker (resulting in a 1 h 05 min exposure) and further processed in Photoshop.
|
Equipment: Canon EOS 450D Baader modified camera, TeleVue Paracorr Type II coma corrector,
16" f/4.5 "Ninja" dobsonian telescope riding on a dual-axis Tom Osypowski equatorial platform,
Lacerta MGEN autoguider, Lacerta off axis system (field of view comparison:
image of the moon with the same equipment).
|
