Albireo Observatory in Greece: July 2023

Friday, July 21, 2023

The Pillars of Creation (Eagle Nebula, or Messier 16)

Imaging Telescope: Vixen ED81s f/7.7

Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Synscan Pro (belt mod)

Camera: QHY 533M

Filter Wheel: QHY CFW3S-SR

Filters: L,R,G,B,Ha

Guiding camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini (mono)

Guidescope: SkyWatcher EvoGuide 50ED

Constellation: Serpens

Date: 15-16 July-2023

Location: Korinthos - Greece - Albireo Observatory 1

Exposure Time:

L: 60x120" (gain: 50.00, offset: 12.00) 0°C bin 1×1

R: 60x120" (gain: 50.00, offset: 12.00) 0°C bin 1×1

G: 60x120" (gain: 50.00, offset: 12.00) 0°C bin 1×1

B: 60x120" (gain: 50.00, offset: 12.00) 0°C bin 1×1

Ha: 12x900" (gain: 50.00, offset: 12.00) 0°C bin 1×1

Calibration Frames: Darks, Flats, Bias, Dark Flats

Acquisition: N.I.N.A, PHD2

Processing: Pixinsight, Photoshop

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

NGC 6914

NGC 6914 is a complex of reflection nebulae at the heart of the constellation Cygnus. This region concentrates gaseous and dusty masses of the galactic plane, where stars are born. Fragments of nebula situated between the Earth and the young stars appear to be dark, with varying opacities and intricate shapes. In other areas, near the younger and hotter stars, dust shines with the bluish colors of the reflection nebulas. Lastly, all the image is covered by ionized hydrogen that gives to the scene a reddish and warm backdrop. Newly born stars, which are only a few million years old, mill around the scene. Their colors reveal their diversity of masses and temperatures. But in this small portion of the Galaxy, about 6,000 light-years away, massive and hot stars (O and B type stars) are so abundant that the area is classified as an OB association. Its name is Cygnus OB2.

Imaging Telescope: Vixen ED81s f/5.2