Rho Ophiucus Region

CLICK HERE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION - (1600 x 2403)

Scope: Sigma APO 150 mm SLR Lens at f/3.5; Location: Laguna Mountains, CA;  19 April, 2009; Camera: Canon XT 350D (Baader ACF modified)

Exposure: 12 x 5 min  (no filters) ISO 800, 5x10 min (no filters) ISO 1600, 6 Darks, no Flats 

Processing: Images were captured with DSLR Focus  and saved as RAW file format. Images were decoded and dark corrected in IRIS. Images were aligned and stacked in IRIS with Sigma Median.  Dark point equalization and rough color balance  were done in IRIS. Gamma adjustments also done in Iris. Gradient removal was done in IRIS with a pseudo-flat generation. Both 5 minute and 10 minute exposure stacks were saved as Tiff.  A proportional blend of both stacks was done in Photoshop. Final stretching and touch up was done in PhotoShop.   Saturation was increased on the final image since the colors looked somewhat muted.  Final Image size is approximately 3474x2314 - re-sampled to 2403x1600.

North is up in this image.  This image is guided.  This is an image of the Rho Ophiuchus complex in the constellations of Scorpius and Ophiuchus. Antares is the dominant star in this image. There are three prominent globular clusters - M4, M80 and NGC 6144. The nebula regions and the bright stars range from about 400 light years to 800 light years distant from Earth while the globular clusters  are significantly more distant. M4 is 7,000 light years distant.; NGC 6144 is 28,000 light years distant; M80 is 32,000 light years distant.   The Vertical FOV is about 8 deg, 20 min.

Image Center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 16h 28m 15s Dec: -25°27'14"

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