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M8, Lagoon Nebula, Ha, OIII

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2800x2100)

Scope: FSQ-106N at f/5, Location: DAA Observatory, Shelter Valley, CA, 17 and 20 June 2020,  Camera: Atik 383L (Astronomik Gen 2  Ha OIII LRGB Filters)

Exposure:  24 x 8 min (1x1 bin) Ha filter, 20 x 8 min (2x2 bin) OIII  filter, 10 x 4 min (1x1 bin) each RGB filters.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Subframe calibration and registration - PixInsight. Subframe integration (Median combine -  Winsorized Sigma Clipping) - PixInsight.  Non-linear stretching, normalization and gradient removal - PixInsight.  Generation of starless nebulosity images - starnet++.  Starless color mapping and RGB stars color mapping - PixInsight. Stars and Starless combine - PixInsight. Final finishing  - Photoshop.  RGB calibration - eXcalibrator. Annotation - PixInsight, Aladin (Simbad), and PhotoShop. This image is a  modified HOO narrow band mapping with RGB stars.  Images processed at 3354 x 2529 resolution. Final Image size is approximately  3000x2250.

North is up in this image.  This image field is a composition of the popularly known M8 ("Lagoon") emission nebula object. It is also known as Sh2-25, LBN 25, NGC 6533, Gum 72, RCW 146, and others.  Embedded within is  the open cluster NGC 6530 And Barnard 88, 89, 296 dark nebulae.  Also in the image is the globular cluster NGC 6544 and the reflection nebula IC 4678 (ref. - Merged Reflection Nebula Catalog [M2003] 744). A fortunate bonus with this image is the conjunction of two minor planets (64) Angelina and (974) Lioba.

        A separate page with information and animated GIFs of sub-frame regions of these two minor plannets is on the "Angelina and Lioba" page.

 This is an active star forming region with many young stellar objects.  The M8 structure is about 4,300 light years distant  and NGC 6530 is about 4,100 light years distant. The M8 nebulous structure is a major feature of the SGR OB1 association.  These objects, other dark nebulae, and some of the brighter stars are seen in the annotated image.  The horizontal FOV is 120'. Image scale of the full size image is 2.57 arcsec/pix. 

Image center is located approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 18h 04m 21s Dec: -24°23'35" 

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2020

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