Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA   10 October 2015  Camera: Atik 383L (Astronomik Ha LRGB filters)

Exposure: Exposure:  14 x 12 min (2x2 bin) exposure with H-Alpha filter, 12 x 5 min (1x1 bin) exposure with IR/UV Block filter, 8 x 4.5 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) - Deep Sky Stacker. LRGB channel registration, equalization, and central gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine - ImagesPlus. Luminance Layering, final stretch, and finishing  - Photoshop. RGB calibration - eXcalibrator. This image is a  RGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color; H-Alpha exposure stack was screen blended into the IR/UV Blocking filter exposure stack for the luminance layer.  Final Image size is approximately 2800 x 2100.

North is up in this image.  The LBN 656  region is an emission area in the larger IC1805 complex known as the "Heart Nebula". This region is in the southern portion of that complex. The notable dark nebulae in this region are LDN 1365, 1370, and 1371. There is a small open cluster right on the left edge catalogued as Berkeley 65. The dominate emission region is LBN 656; within line of sight is the smaller emission nebula LBN 657. These objects  as well as some of the brighter stars  are identified in the annotated image.  This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the archives here.  Horizontal FOV is 85'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 02h 33m 22s Dec: +60°29'02"