Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA   20 June 2015  Camera: Atik 383L

Exposure: Exposure:  12 x 8 min (1x1 bin) exposure with IR/UV Block filter, 12 x 8 min (2x2 bin) H-Alpha Exposure, 8 x 4 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. This image is a  RGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color; IR/UV Blocking filter exposure stack was  screen blended with the H-Alpha exposure  and used for the luminance channel.  Final Image size is approximately 2400 x 1800.

North is up in this image.  This image shows the Sharpless 60 region which has this Sharpless object as well as several catalog Dark nebulae. Sharpless 60 (also known as LBN 82) is the bright read emission nebula toward the right of the image. The very faint LBN 81 barely detectable in  the lower right in this image. These objects  as well as some of the brighter stars  are identified in the annotated image. The bright white star  toward the center (HD 171999) is 120 light years distant from Earth; its visual partner, the bright orange star (HD 171995) however is a more distant 2,900 light years distant. The distance to the Sharpless 60 nebula is debated but the range is 7,000 to 11,000 light years. Horizontal FOV is 84'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 18h 37m 58s Dec: -06°48'19"