Astral Imaging at Dogwood Ridge Observatory

Latitude: 37°48'51.0" N"
Longitude:78°23'41.0"W
Scottsville, Virginia 24590
 

(click on thumbnails to go to that image's page)

 

 
 

 
   

NGC6823

Image Information

NGC6823 is an open star cluster in Vulpecula with nebulosity. The pillars on the left side of the image remind me of the Eagle Nebula.

From NASA's APOD Site:

Explanation: Star cluster NGC 6823 is ready for its close-up. The center of the open cluster, visible on the upper right, formed only about two million years ago and is dominated in brightness by a host of bright young blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster, visible above in the image center as the stars and pillars of emission nebula NGC 6820, contain even younger stars. The huge pillars of gas and dust likely get their elongated shape by erosion from hot radiation emitted from the brightest cluster stars. Striking dark globules of gas and dust are also visible across the bottom of this image by the 25 year old Canada France Hawaii Telescope. Open star cluster NGC 6823 spans about 50 light years and lies about 6000 light years away toward the constellation of Vulpecula (The Fox).

 

 

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This image is compiled from 45 - 20 minute R, G, & B images and 25 - 20 minute luminance.  A total of 23 hours and 20 minutes of data was used for this image. All data was acquired using MaxImDl/CCD version 5 using ACP.   Images were calibrated and De-Bloomed in MaxIm using Ron Wodaski's De-Bloomer plug-in. All images aligned,  median combined, and histogram adjusted at 32 bit depth using  Pix Insight version 1.61.   The master images were combined, registered and the color image created in Pix Insight. Photoshop CS 4 was used to create the web version JPGs. The image data was collected over August 7- September 1, 2010.

Equipment and Location Information

Date August 7- September 1, 2010
Location Dogwood Ridge Observatory
Optics OGS 12.5" RC
Mount Astro Physics AP1200GTO
Camera SBIG ST10XME/AO8
Filters Baader LRGB 1.25" mounted
Conditions Temperature middle  60s -  mid 70s with very moderate  seeing. Transparency good to moderate.

    
  Last Modified :01/23/09 12:40 AM