June 4, 2011

The Cocoon Nebula, IC 5146/Sh2-125 (6-3-2011)

This nebula was just in the right place this morning for the two hours of darkness I had left.  This narrowband H-alpha image shows the emission part of the nebula.  Though the image is monochrome, this part of the spectrum is visible as red light.  In full spectrum images, reflected starlight also shows in blue on the dust and gas of this stellar nursery.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8x II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 15x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

No comments: