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octane2 — The Christmas Tree Cluster
Published: 2006-11-30 13:30:17 +0000 UTC; Views: 2060; Favourites: 32; Downloads: 92
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Description
Full view for maximum effect.The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2262) in Monoceros
NGC 2264 is a large, bright cluster (bottom third of the screen, exactly in the middle) with a diffuse nebula surrounding it.
The cluster was discovered by a famous astronomer called William Herschel. NGC 2264 is visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch. A fairly bright 6th magnitude adorns the top of the "tree". Binoculars display 20 or so of its brightest constituents with lots more fainter ones in the background.
This grouping of stars is arranged in a triangular shape reminiscent of a Christmas tree after which this cluster is appropriately named.
NGC 2264 is enshrined in nebulosity, which can be noticed with a large telescope under appropriate conditions.
To the right of the Christmas Tree Cluster lies the Cone Nebula. This diffuse nebula at the tip of the "tree" which looks like an elongated cone is also referred to as the Throne of God. This is a remarkable object but is difficult to observe visually.
The Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster are both part of a bigger star-forming region.
A quarter of the way across from the left, and exactly half-way down, is a fuzzy patch in the pinkish red diffuse nebulosity. This patch is NGC 2249, an open cluster.
The beautiful orange and gold patch towards the middle in the first third of the shot (from the top) is an open cluster, NGC 2251.
Towards the top right is another bright cluster of stars. This is NGC 2254.
In the final third of the image, exactly half-way down is an interestingly-shaped, gold, curved nebula. This is Hubble's Variable Nebula, which is also a diffuse nebula.
The extended diffuse nebulosity throughout this image is referred to as the Monoceros Nebula.
North is left, East is down.
This composite consists of one set of images; one set of 17 images taken at ISO-800.
Each individual image was a 240 second exposure.
IRIS was used to calibrate each image (dark subtraction [median combined master dark] and flat field division [median combined master flat {lights and darks}]), to register, align, and finally stack.
Photoshop CS2 was used to adjust levels, curves, frame and resize the final composite.
Target: The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) in Monoceros
Date: Sunday, November 26th, 2006
Time: First image: 2:25:51 PM
Time: Last image: 3:40:29 AM
Location: Lake Bathurst, NSW, Australia
Camera: Canon EOS-350D (modified: Baader UV/IR filter)
Lens: Nikkor 300mm F/4.5
Focal length: 300mm
Mount: Meade LXD55
Exposure: 17 x 240 seconds (1 hour 10 minutes) @ ISO-800 (RAW)
Software: IRIS: Calibration, registration, stacking; Adobe Photoshop CS2: post-processing and framing
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Comments: 20
Amazing and beautiful and I find it strangely amusing!!
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visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch
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This just might be the answer to my years old question of what a particular 'fuzzy patch' I've noticed in the sky is. I saw it one winter night when the stars were as clear as cut diamonds. It was an oval patch of fuzzy whitness. My astronaught hopeful friend couldn't tell me what it was. I do think this might be it. Thank you!
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The only thing I would change about this to reduce grain is iso 400, RAW is amazing though. Keep using RAW!
Other than that do you take a long exposure after the image to map temperature noise? The Astronomers club will be making a tutorial to help illustrate how this is created and how to get rid of it. You'll understand
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speech less !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont know what to say so i ll use emot (when the word fails the emot are here)
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amazing job. looks beautiful. the stars look so wonderful. i have a big book on the cosmos with loads of astrophotography. this comes up just as well. excellent work
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Perfect for the holidays, fantastic shot as usual.
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Gorgeous as always <3
I'm curious to know where all the red gas comes from that's floating around out there. It just makes it seem more... christmassy.
Absolutely beautiful <3
Sedona
(P.S. I'm starting to seem like a stalker aren't I? XD )
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I'm planning to go to Australia for some time now, just for a couple of months, I'll think I'll take all my astrophotographic equipment with me...
Do you use that Hutech LPS filter that can be placed in the bajonet?
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Beautiful description. It is very good to read such specialist text, while watching this picture non-specialist see only dots
"In the final third of the image, exactly half-way down is an interestingly-shaped, gold, curved nebula. This is Hubble's Variable Nebula, which is also a diffuse nebula." - I've noticed this... why not take a colser view of this object? it looks interesting
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So beautiful to be truthful. It seems, there are more stars here than neurons in usual human mind.
So Hameed was right. We can not beat the real thing.
For now.
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Hehe just in time for the holiday season!^^
Good work as per usual, sorry I can't come up with anything constructive
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Hameed,
You're quick on the ball!
You're absolutely right, too; there's no substitute for the real thing.
I had hoped to get four hours on this object, but, was deterred by really bad cloudy weather for the rest of the weekend.
I will reshoot it once I get my new equipment.
Regards,
H
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Cool, well as always i look forward to seeing the results.
You are lucky that you get clear nights where you are, i never get a crystal clear view of the sky from anywhere in the UK, its always so cloudy here. In fact if it wasn't so cloudy here, i would have invested heavily in my own telescope & camera setup many years ago. Instead i am hoping to retire somewhere where there are clear sky's and get the equipment then!
Keep up the good work.
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