Sharpless 64 in the Great Rift

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2600x1977)

Scope: FSQ-106N at f/5, Location:  Pine Creek, Laguna Mountains, CA   29 July, 6 August, 2016  Camera: Atik 383 (Astronomik Gen II  LRGB filters)

Exposure: Exposure: 12 x 7 min, (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block, 12 x 10 min (2x2) exposure with H-Alpha, 8, 10, 9 x 4 min (2x2 bin) R,G,B exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) Deep Sky Stacker, LRGB channel registration and equalization, rough color calibration  - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine - ImagesPlus. Luminance layering and finishing  - Photoshop. This image is an LRGB combine with Luminance layering. The H-Alpha exposure was screen blended into the IR/UV Block exposures to create the Luminance channel and screen blended into the red channel to enhance color. Final color calibration - eXcalibrator. Color saturation in LAB color. Native image size - 3354x2529.  Final Image size is approximately 2600x1977.

North is up in this image. This field lies within the constellation of Serpens. Sharpless 64 is central in this image. It is obscured by the dust of the Great Rift of the Milky way (stretching from Cygnus to Centarus) Much of the image shows  a portion of the Rift (Milky Way star field is seen on the left and right of the image). The Sharpless 64 emission is energized by stars in the W40 star forming region (not well seen due to the obscuring dust of the Rift. There are many catalogued dark nebulae in this image (60 listed in SIMBAD in TGU, Dobashi, and Lynds Dark Nebula catalogs).  Some of these objects as well as a few of the bright stars  are identified in the annotated image.  Horizontal FOV is 120'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 18h 31m 44s Dec: -02°07'50"

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2016 copyright 2003 - 2012

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