Astral Imaging at Dogwood Ridge Observatory

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

 

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M1 - The Crab Nebula

Image Information

Quoted From SEDS
Explanation:
  • Discovered 1731 by British amateur astronomer John Bevis.

    The Crab Nebula is the most famous and conspicuous known supernova remnant, the expanding cloud of gas created in the explosion of a star as supernova which was observed in the year 1054 AD. It shines as a nebula of magnitude 8.4 near the southern "horn" of Taurus, the Bull.

    The supernova was noted on July 4, 1054 A.D. by Chinese astronomers as a new or "guest star," and was about four times brighter than Venus, or about mag -6. According to the records, it was visible in daylight for 23 days, and 653 days to the naked eye in the night sky. It was probably also recorded by Anasazi Indian artists (in present-day Arizona and New Mexico), as findings in Navaho Canyon and White Mesa (both Arizona) as well as in the Chaco Canyon National Park (New Mexico) indicate; there's a review of the research on the Chaco Canyon Anasazi art online. In addition, Ralph R. Robbins of the University of Texas has found Mimbres Indian art from New Mexico, possibly depicting the supernova.

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    This image is compiled from 13  - 10 minute  images for the each RGB channel at 1x1 bin.   18 - 10 minute Ha images at 1x1 and 16 - 10 minute Luminance images. All data was acquired ACP Web Interface using MaxImDl/CCD version 4.57. Images were reduced and saved in MaxIm. All images aligned using Registar. The data was then brought into CCDStack where bloom removal, alignment, and sigma reject was performed to produce the master image. Photoshop CS 2 was used for curves and levels.  The Ha data was layer using a 41% opacity. The image data was collected over January 17-20, 2007.

    Equipment and Location Information

    Date January 17-20, 2007
    Location Dogwood Ridge Observatory
    Optics OGS 10" RC @ f/9
    Mount Astro Physics AP1200GTO
    Camera SBIG ST10XME
    Conditions Temperature middle  20's - 30's with average to very good  seeing. Transparency good.

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