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M20 - The Trifid Nebula (imaged at 'Upham' N.M.) |
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Object Information Imaging Details |
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One of the most beautiful photo targets in the night sky, the Trifid Nebula (M20) shows two strikingly different regions - a reddish emission nebula lobe, and a bluish reflection nebula lobe. The red color originates from glowing hydrogen gas. The gas is irradiated by nearby stars. The blue color comes from starlight that is reflected by gas and dust. Blue light is preferentially refracted/reflected (a similar phenominon explains why the Earth's atmosphere appears blue during the day). M20 is one of several bright nebulae in Sagittarius. The nebula covers an area nearly as large as the full moon. It is clearly visible in a modest telescope. Photography is required to bring out the colors. This image was taken in June, 2007 at the ASLC's 'Upham' dark sky site. Skies were completely transparent; seeing was moderate. The image was selected co-winner of the Digital-Astro Moderator's Challenge for July 2007!! Clicking on the image brings up a larger, more detailed image. |
Telescope: |
Celestron NexStar GPS 11" |
Camera: |
Canon 300D (type 1 modified) | |
Filter(s): |
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Misc. Optics: |
Giant Easy Guider (f/5) | |
Exposures: |
4 @ 30 seconds, 8 @ 2 minutes and 4 @ 4 minutes. All @ ISO 800 | |
Guiding: |
Performed using an Orion ED80 (f/30) piggybacked atop the Celestron NexStar GPS 11. Guiding was with GuideDog using a ToUCam. | |
Processing: |
Raws converted to Tiffs with Photoshop CS (CA correction applied). Images aligned and stacked using Nebulosity. Curves/levels adjustments also performed with Photoshop CS. Noise reduced with Noise Ninja. Star spikes added using Noel Carboni's Astronomy Tools. | |
Enchanted Skies - Astrophotography by Rich Richins (all images copyright, Rich Richins