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NGC 246 in Cetus

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2000x1350)

Scope: C8 203 mm   at f/6.3, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA  13  October 2012  Camera: ST8300M

Exposure: 11 x 8 min  (2x2 bin)  and 11 x 8 min (3x3 bin) exposure with UV/IR block, 8 x 4 min (3x3 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  CCDSoft (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Sigma Combine), LRGB channel registration, central gradient removal, and color equalization - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, LRGB combine and finishing  - Photoshop.  This image is a LRGB combine with Luminance layering -   Final Image size is approximately 1800x1350.

North is to the left in this image. NGC 246 is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Cetus. located toward the right in this image field. It is also known by the common name of the Skull Nebula. Also in this image field a is the spiral galaxy NGC 255 in the lower left and  and the irregular spiral galaxy PGC02689 in the upper left. NGC 246 is about 1,600 light years distant from Earth while NGC 255 is about 70 million light years  distant.   This image replaces an earlier image in the Archives here.  Horizontal FOV is 44'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 00h 46m 59s Dec: -11°42'29" 

 

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

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