NGC 1893 and Sim 129 & 130 (Nov. 2020)

The very young open cluster NGC 1893 sports five O-type stars (the five brightest stars across the center of the cluster in front of the nebula).  The cluster also produced a number of hot B-type stars.  Together, these stars (especially the O-type stars) power the glowing gas behind them.  See especially this study: https://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/0703706.pdf 

Infrared and X-ray images of the area show more stars behind the the dark clouds of gas and dust that cross the face of the nebula.  https://arxiv.org/pdf/0807.0116.pdf  Studies also strongly suggest that NGC 1893 harbors many pre-main-sequence stars and some protostars, https://arxiv.org/pdf/0707.0269.pdf, and young stellar objects, https://arxiv.org/pdf/1207.5632.pdf.  The cluster is probably 4-5 million years old, though star formation is probably ongoing.

The two cometary globules (or tadpole nebulae) are from left to right Simeis 129 and 130.  The nebula behind the cluster is called IC 410.

This image is 63x15" (15.75 hours) with the 203mm f/4.95 Synta-ONTC Newtonian, an Astronomik CLS filter, and Atik 460 EXC camera.

M33 (Nov. 2020)

This one is 41x900" with the Atik 460EXC through the 203mm Synta-ONTC Newtonian at f/4.95, using an Astronomik CLS filter.

IC 1805 (Sept. 2020)

IC 1805 is an open cluster set in the complex cloud of nebulosity from which the stars formed.  This is 14x900" in late September with the Atik 460EXC and 203mm Synta-ONTC Newtonian at f/4.95.

Some Sisters, X/M45 (Oct. 2020)

 

This is, of course, part of M45.  In the Fall, the wondrous large and bright Pleaides are high overhead.  I am always thrilled to see the nebulosity in just 360" exposures.  This is 18x360" with the Atik 460EXC and 203mm Synta-ONTC Newtonian at f/4.95.

IC 5146, the Cocoon Nebula (August 2020)

This is 36x900" with the Atik 460EXC through the 203mm Synta-ONTC Newtonian at f/4.95 and an Astronomik CLS filter.

NGC 7048 (Sept. 2020)

I didn't know about this button on the sky until I turned the camera on it late one night.  The moon was 72% waxing, and I needed a fairly bright target.

This image is 16x10' with the Atik 460EXC through a 203mm f/4.95 Synta-ONTC Newtonian and an Astronomik CLS filter.

NGC 457, the Owl or ET Cluster (Sept. 2020)

NGC 457 is one of my favorite open clusters.  Through a telescope, it is stunning, partly because of the contrast between the brighter stars and the dimmer diamonds.  This image is 19x300" with the Atik 460EXC through the 203mm f/4.95 Synta-ONTC Newtonian and an Astronomik CLS filter.