Starship Asterisk*

Title: Ripples and loops of stars and cold gas shine light on the giant radio lobes of NGC 1316

Image Credit & Copyright: Filippo Maccagni, Paolo Serra, [url=https://www.astrobin.com/urws9j]Ferrante Enriques[/url]; INAF, SARAO.

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SCyvH5HZaHoXZyQbHGaBxyksjuMRzUBQ[/img]

NGC 1316 (aka Fornax A) is one of the brightest galaxies in the Fornax constellation. Astronomers think that it formed 1-2 billion years ago, when a galaxy similar to our own Milky Way [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019A&A...628A.122S]smashed into a ten times larger galaxy[/url]. After this collision, NGC 1316 continued swallowing smaller satellite galaxies attracted by its strong gravitational pull. These turbulent events left behind numerous [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017ApJ...839...21I]ripples and loops[/url] made of tens of millions of stars each, visible in the background optical image. Astronomers discovered that the same collisions enriched the space around NGC 1316 with [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021A&A...648A..32K]cold gas[/url] (shown in blue and visible with radio telescopes) lost by individual galaxies. Some of this gas fell into the [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008MNRAS.391.1629N]100-million-solar-masses black hole[/url] located at the centre of NGC 1316, triggering the ejection of streams of electrons which travel close to the speed of light. These electrons formed giant (1 million light years across) balloon-shaped lobes, shown in red and also visible with radio telescopes. Astronomers discovered that the radio lobes are [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020A&A...634A...9M]inflated intermittently[/url] with fresh electrons as a result of the occasional feeding of the central black hole with cold gas. The interval between these “meals” is of the order of some million years. One such meal is being consumed right now, as astronomers find traces of the ongoing ejection of fast electrons [url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024A&A...687L...6P]in the very centre[/url] of NGC 1316.

This image is a composite of an optical image (in the background) and two radio images (blue for the cold gas, and red for the radiation emitted by the relativistic electrons). The optical image is a 63-h LRGB exposure taken in October 2024 with a 14-cm CFF refractor located in Hakos Astrofarm, Namibia. The radio images were obtained with a 15 h-long observation at a frequency of 1.4 GHz with the MeerKAT interferometric radio telescope located in the Karoo Desert, South Africa.

PK 164+31.1, also known as Jones-Emberson 1, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Lynx. Its intricate structure and relatively faint luminosity make it a challenging target for astrophotographers. However, with patience and dedication, this “hidden gem” can be transformed into a stunning window into the deep sky.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qvcVEk][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54151760107_a0928aa7e4.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qvcVEk]Jones-Embseron 1[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/201798999@N02/]Alessandro Ravagnin[/url], su Flickr

The nebula appears as a faint, diffuse spherical shell with an irregular structure. Its most striking features include internal rings and filaments, likely formed due to instabilities in the mass-loss process of the progenitor star. Hα and OIII filters reveal distinct details: OIII highlights the hotter, ionized regions, while Hα traces the denser gas.

The characteristic blue-green color, visible in broadband images, primarily results from the emission of doubly ionized oxygen (OIII), while the reddish tones are due to ionized hydrogen (Hα).

This nebula is the remnant of the outer layers expelled by a Sun-like star in its final life stages. The central star, visible as a small, hot white dwarf, is the remaining core of the progenitor star. Its temperature exceeds 100,000 K, making it hot enough to ionize the surrounding gas.

As a planetary nebula in its advanced stage, the gas shell is gradually expanding and dispersing into the interstellar medium. PK 164+31.1 is thought to be a bipolar nebula, seen almost perfectly along the axis of its two lobes, with an estimated age of 15,000 years. At this stage, the ejected material begins to blend into the surrounding interstellar environment.

More info here: https://astrotrex.wordpress.com/2024/11/20/pk-16431-1-again/

[URL=https://flic.kr/ps/45ndtb][IMG]https://astrob.in/vncrki/0/rawthumb/regular/get.jpg?insecure[/IMG][/URL]

[b]What is it?[/b]
Here attached my NGC281 (“Pacman” Nebula) in Cassiopea. It’s my second picture and attempt to win the APOD. What I like most is the star forming area with its Bok globules so visible in the picture! Open cluster IC1590 in the middle and the multiple star B1 enrich further more this wonderful 1/2 degree sky area. 9500 ly from us and aroun 40ly size. The reason why is also known as the Pacman Nebula looks very clear to middle age man like me but we should may be explain better to young generations!

[b]Place on the earth[/b]
I took all the lights into my personal observatory located in Arpino between Lazio and Abruzzo in Italy.

[b]Setup[/b]
Telescope: Artesky ARTEC 250 Pro (Newton)
Camera: ToupTek 2600MM
Mount: 10Micron GM2000 HPS II (unguided)
Filters: Optolong 2" Red, Blue, Green ; Optolong 3nm 2’’ H-Alpha, OIII and SII
Accessories: Pegasus Astro Prodigy Microfocuser · WandererAstro WandererBox Pro V3 · ZWO EFW 7 x 2″

[b]Software[/b]
Adobe Photoshop · Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight · Stefan Berg Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy (N.I.N.A. / NINA)

[b]Acquisition[/b]
01 - 04 Novembre 2024
Optolong Blue 2": 110×60,″(1h 50′)
Optolong Green 2": 30×60,″(30′)
Optolong H-Alpha 3nm 2": 31×600,″(5h 10′)
Optolong OIII 3nm 2": 28×600,″(4h 40′)
Optolong Red 2": 89×60,″(1h 29′)
Optolong SII 3nm 2": 7×600,″(1h 10′)
Tot: 14h 49′

[b]Image production technique[/b]
The picture is the result of a classic Hubble Palette for the Nebula (Luminance + Color) and an RGB combination for the Stars. An HDR has been applied on the Nebula to show better all details hidden by excessive light in the center. All this work has been assessed through Pixinsight and Photoshop software. I also used 3 RC Astro Tools for noise reduction, stars separation and improve definition.

Have a nice day guys!
Antonio Ventura

[b]Perseus constellation along with its intriguing surroundings[/b]

The constellation containing many fascinating objects, many of which are hidden beneath a deep layer of stars or dust. This time, a frame that showcases this area of the sky along with its entire intriguing surroundings.

Single night session, 30x120s with Sigma Art 40 and modified Nikon D600.

[attachment=1]perseusz-f copy3.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]perseusz-f copy3-ano-min.jpg[/attachment]

Location: Bieszczady Mountains/Poland
Credit: Ireneusz Nowak

Astrobin location of the full size picture: https://www.astrobin.com/9x2xiw/
Author Astrobin link: https://www.astrobin.com/users/iro/

[b]An amateur discovery of a small bipolar nebula in the Cygnus[/b]

we are proud to present you with an amateur discovery. The discovery dates back to November 2023, a small bipolar nebula in the Cygnus. Today we know that it is a Herbig-Haro object (HHO).

[img]https://pixlimit.com/bipolar%20Nebula%20_LRGB_sub_small.jpg[/img]

There is also an RNAAS paper about it. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2515-5172/ad103a
Peter Bresseler (me) is an amateur, Bringfried Stecklum is an astronom.

The attached image is a co-production of the amateur discoverer Peter Bresseler and the astrophotographers Bernd Koch and Werner E. Celnik. The bipolar nebula was photographed with a Celestron C14 at F/7 with an ASI2600MC in LRGB mode and exposed for 21.8 hours. The coordinates are 20:53:25.3 +51:08:17.7. We hope that more amateurs will participate in the exposures.

thanks for looking

best regards
Peter Bresseler

https://www.pixlimit.com

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qv7R9R][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54150769381_0b419f6f32.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qv7R9R]California nebula (NGC1499)[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/189448205@N04/]Michele Guzzini[/url], su Flickr

California Nebula (NGC1499)
Credits: Michele Guzzini

Nikon Z6a (h-alpha mod) + Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5/S
54x360'' @ F/4.5 ISO 800
Monti Sibillini, Italy

[size=120][b]Man Between Galaxies[/b][/size]

Copyright: Max Inwood
https://www.instagram.com/max.nti/
Date: 20 March 2024
Location: New Zealand

An image of a person standing between the two Magellanic Cloud galaxies, and holding Epsilon Hydri. The Large Magellanic Cloud (seen on the right), is the largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.


[img2]https://i.ibb.co/znCF52F/man-between-galaxies-500k.jpg[/img2]

[b][size=150]Cosmic Neighborhood of the Star Xi (ξ) Orionis[/size][/b]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2quNdEY][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54147134644_57bcd80c44.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2quNdEY]Cosmic Neighborhood of the Star Xi (ξ) Orionis[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/79196462@N06/].zombi.[/url], on Flickr

This astronomical image captures the mesmerizing beauty of Lower's Nebula (Sh2-261), the star cluster NGC 2169, and the nebula Sh2-268. Lower's Nebula, also known as Sh2-261, is a vast emission nebula that showcases the rich tapestry of star formation and interstellar matter. NGC 2169, often referred to as the "37 Cluster" due to its star arrangement, adds a distinct touch to this cosmic tableau. The faint glow of Sh2-268 completes the composition, offering a glimpse into the intricate and beautiful structures of our universe.

Imaging telescopes: FSQ-106EDXIII
Imaging cameras: G3-16200EC

Accessories: Reducer-QE 0.73X
Mounts: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro
Software: N.I.N.A. · PixInsight · Adobe Photoshop

Frames:
SII: 64×600″ (10h 40′)
Ha: 55×600″ (9h 10′)
OIII: 69×600″ (11h 30′)
L: 58×120″ (1h 56′)
R: 27×60″ (27′)
G: 20×60″ (20′)
G: 10×90″ (15′)
B: 13×120″ (26′)

Photographic technique: SHOLRGB

Integration: 34h 44′
SQM Med: 18,9

Location: Masłomiąca
Dates: 01.2024

Image Credit & Copyright: Przemysław Ząbczyk

Links:
http://www.astrobin.com/users/zombi/
https://www.astropolis.pl/tags/zombi/

Barnard 18, part of the Taurus Molecular Cloud. I captured this two weeks ago from my backyard just north of Philadelphia. I captured 1000 one-minute exposures at f/2 and then used the best 700 to create the image.
[attachment=0]Barnard 18 - S. Asimakopoulos.jpg[/attachment]

Telescope: Celestron RASA 8 F/2
Zwo ASI2600MC Pro
Exposure: 700 x 1 min
Mount: Zwo AM5n
Guiding: ASI290mini, 30mm scope
Filter: Optolong L-Quad
Software: APT, DSS, Pixinsight
Sky: Bortle 6

[quote=aravagnin post_id=342306 time=1731658143 user_id=145746]
This is the eleventh astrophotography project by the ShaRA team. The team targeted the Small Magellanic Cloud and the massive globular cluster 47 Tucanae, using a remote Nikon 100mm f/2 lens located in Chile and integrating for over 15 hours with RGB and H-alpha/OIII filters. Special care was taken in processing to highlight the faint nebulae within the small galaxy, emphasizing the striking appearance of the large globular cluster and showcasing all the star clusters and globular clusters in the SMC and Magellanic Stream. A study was also conducted on the stellar populations and morphology of this small satellite galaxy of our Milky Way in order to process the raw files enhangcing the distribution of the different populations. The hot blue stars of spectral classes A and B are clearly visible, aligned along the northeast-southwest direction, while the cooler stars of classes K and M form a diffuse, oval-shaped halo with a more orange/yellow color.

More info and images here: https://astrotrex.wordpress.com/2024/11/13/shara11-1-small-magellanic-cloud-thousand-friends/
and here: https://www.doubleastudios.net/it/uno-sguardo-al-cosmo/piccola-nube-di-magellano-ngc-292

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qubHEB][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54140208147_8a4ee30a09.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qubHEB]ShaRA#11.1[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/shara-astrophotography/]ShaRA-Astrophotography[/url], su Flickr
[/quote]

This is a gorgeous portrait of the Small Magellanic Cloud. It so deserves to be an APOD! :D

Ann

This is the eleventh astrophotography project by the ShaRA team. The team targeted the Small Magellanic Cloud and the massive globular cluster 47 Tucanae, using a remote Nikon 100mm f/2 lens located in Chile and integrating for over 15 hours with RGB and H-alpha/OIII filters. Special care was taken in processing to highlight the faint nebulae within the small galaxy, emphasizing the striking appearance of the large globular cluster and showcasing all the star clusters and globular clusters in the SMC and Magellanic Stream. A study was also conducted on the stellar populations and morphology of this small satellite galaxy of our Milky Way in order to process the raw files enhangcing the distribution of the different populations. The hot blue stars of spectral classes A and B are clearly visible, aligned along the northeast-southwest direction, while the cooler stars of classes K and M form a diffuse, oval-shaped halo with a more orange/yellow color.

More info and images here: https://astrotrex.wordpress.com/2024/11/13/shara11-1-small-magellanic-cloud-thousand-friends/
and here: https://www.doubleastudios.net/it/uno-sguardo-al-cosmo/piccola-nube-di-magellano-ngc-292

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qubHEB][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54140208147_8a4ee30a09.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qubHEB]ShaRA#11.1[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/shara-astrophotography/]ShaRA-Astrophotography[/url], su Flickr

Where stars are born… and maybe a rogue planet too….
This is NGC 1333, a region, with a bright blue reflection nebula, red Herbig Haro objects and a LOT of dark dust.
Herbig-Haro objects are small bright patches of nebulosity associated with protostars. They are formed when hot gas ejected by a newborn star collides with the gas and dust around it at creating bright shock waves.

Some believe that rogue planets may also be formed in this way…. The dark dust of the Perseus molecular cloud hides much of the star-forming activity. However the infrared camera on the James Webb Space Telescope can peak through the dust. Recent images from JWST of NGC 1333 have identified 6 Rogue planets forming. Go google the image its’ awesome

Shot from the Ottawa backyard Nov. 2, and 9th
3 hours in each LRGB filter
C11 and 0.7x reducer for 1960mm focallength
Tracked on the CEM70 with an off-axis guider and the 174MM mini camera.
Processed in Pixinsight

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qu3zxg][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54138619913_3530e82942_k.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qu3zxg]NGC1333 and the Rogue planets.[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/198200988@N02/]Andrea Girones[/url], on Flickr

CTA 1

[attachment=0]CTA1 Sign (15x10).jpg[/attachment]
Click on above to enlarge.

Full info and higher resolution image @ https://www.astrokin.com/cta-1.html

[size=120][b]Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS[/b][/size]
www.mattdieterich.com
Copyright: Matt Dieterich
[img2]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54135581517_637e6e3325_b.jpg[/img2]

[b][u]C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)[/u][/b]
Submission by Omer Baram


[attachment=0]C2023_Final_11.11_Full_res.jpg[/attachment]

Discovered in early January 2023 by two observatories (one in South Africa and one in China), the comet has been closely monitored since. It originated in the Oort Cloud, a vast region of icy and rocky bodies surrounding our solar system.

I photographed the comet on October 21th from the Negev desert in southern Israel, the comet was approximately 4.55 in magnitude and in a distance of 0.66 AU from earth

For full resolution, visit:
https://astrob.in/full/yg179t/B/?real=

Full details:
Camera: ZWO ASI071MC Pro
Mount: Sky-watcher NEQ6 Pro belt mod
Telescope: TS Optics 80mm F/7
Filter: Optolong L-pro
Guide Scope: Svbony 60mm
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MC-S
Date: 21.10.24
Location: Negev Desert
Exposures: 60sX70

[b]M1 The Crab Nebula in Sulphur Hydrogen Oxygen and Helium[/b]. Imaged remotely from Spain with the 16in Dall-Kirham and Player One Poseidon M-pro . Exposures were 60x 120 in S2, 50x 120s in Ha, 50x120s in O3 and 50x 300s in He2
[URL=https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/0/][IMG]https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/0/rawthumb/regular/get.jpg?insecure[/IMG][/URL]

I really like the addition of the Helium, it brings something very different compared to the "usual" SHO palette that we are so used to with M1. Please click to see the animation
[URL]https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/D/][/URL]
[URL]https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/D/rawthumb/regular/get.jpg?insecure[/URL]

Although all of the elements show very different structure to each other the He2 seems to have a more diffused look about it.
[URL=https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/E/][IMG]https://astrob.in/s5fdsm/E/rawthumb/regular/get.jpg?insecure[/IMG][/URL]

Here is a link to the full res images https://www.astrobin.com/s5fdsm/

Thanks for Looking

Peter Shah

[img2]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54134529414_c66d6fdc69_b.jpg[/img2]

The crescent moon at 55% illumination balanced at the summit of the Aiguille de Bionnassay (4052 meters) in the Mont Blanc massif from Les Houches in the Chamonix valley.
Nikon Z6 II
Focal length 600mm
100 iso
f/8
1/30 sec
Shooting time 5:02 p.m.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54134529414_3cc20de4cb_o.jpg

8th November 2024. Photo(s) taken in Porjus, sweden, with two different kinds of aurora at the same time. In the north beautiful bright strong red pillars, and in the south classic green aurora with vortexes. Little planet projection seemed appropriate to showcase the difference between north and south.

16 photos @20mm stiched together in PTGui.

[size=120][b]A song of Ice and Fire[/b][/size]
http://instagram.com/johan.nensen/
Copyright: Johan Nensén Lindqvist
[img2]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54132296994_8866345314_b.jpg[/img2]

Shark Nebula (LDN1235)

The large dark nebula LDN 1235 is located in the Constellation Cepheus, its shark-like shape makes it one of the most extraordinary and curious objects in this part of the sky.

Optics: Takahashi FSQ85
Camera: QSI683 CCD @ -20C°
Mount: 10Micron GM1000HPS
Filters: Astrodon LRGB
Exposure: LRGB 110:9:9:9 10' exposures
(23 total hours of exposure)

Taken from Saint Barthelemy AO, Italy

[size=120][b] M1 (narrowband + RGB stars) [/b][/size]
[url] https://www.flickr.com/photos/186618701@N08/54128358175/in/dateposted-public/ [/url]
Copyright: Jose Luis Bedmar
[img2] https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54128358175_427d217339_m.jpg [/img2]

Dates:
November 2 - 3, 2024
November 7, 2024
Thomas:
Chroma H-alpha 5nm Bandpass 36 mm: 60×300.″(5h)
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 60×300.″(5h)
Chroma SII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 60×300.″(5h)
Avg. Moon age:
2.76 days
Avg. Moon phase:
12.04%
A.R. (center): 05h34m31s.4
Dec. (center): +22°00′50″
Pixel scale: 0.388 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 0.562 degrees
Field radius: 0.157 degrees
Find images in the same area
Resolution: 2284x1812
Locations: Huercal de Almeria, Almeria, Spain
Data source: Own remote observatory
Remote Source: Non-Commercial Standalone Installation

[size=120][b] HELIX nebula SHO [/b][/size]
[url] https://www.flickr.com/photos/186618701@N08/54093271687/in/dateposted-public/ [/url]
Copyright: Jose Luis Bedmar
[img2] https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54093271687_0bda41d2bd_m.jpg [/img2]

GSO 12" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Truss Tube ×
ZWO ASI294MM Pro
Sky-Watcher EQ8
Dates:
August 18, 2024
August 20, 2024
August 22, 2024
September 4, 2024
Thomas:
Chroma H-alpha 5nm Bandpass 36 mm: 74×300.″(6h 10′)
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 74×300.″(6h 10′)
Chroma SII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 74×300.″(6h 10′)
Integration time:
18h 30'
Avg. Moon age:
12.02 days
Avg. Moon phase:
72.00%
A.R. (center): 22h29m38s.6
Dec. (center): -20°50′13″
Pixel scale: 0.388 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 1,692 degrees
Field radius: 0.258 degrees
Find images in the same area
Resolution: 3955x2687
Locations: Huercal de Almeria, Almeria, Spain
Data source: Own remote observatory
Remote Source: Non-Commercial Standalone Installation

[size=120][b] IC 410 "The Tadpoles" in SHO) [/b][/size]
[url] https://www.flickr.com/photos/186618701@N08/54076137946/in/dateposted-public/ [/url]
Copyright: Jose Luis Bedmar
[img2] https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54076137946_a56fa2dc4f_m.jpg [/img2]

GSO 12" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Truss Tube ×
ZWO ASI294MM Pro
Sky-Watcher EQ8
Chroma H-alpha 5nm Bandpass 36 mm · Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm · Chroma SII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm
Dates:
October 17 - 18, 2024
Thomas:
Chroma H-alpha 5nm Bandpass 36 mm: 30×300.″(2h 30′)
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 30×300.″(2h 30′)
Chroma SII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 30×300.″(2h 30′)
Integration time:
7h 30'
Avg. Moon age:
15.38 days
Avg. Moon phase:
99.19%
A.R. (center): 05h22m41s.10
Dec. (center): +33°29′45″
Pixel scale: 0.388 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 0.909 degrees
Field radius: 0.251 degrees
Find images in the same area
Resolution: 3913x2522
Locations: Huercal de Almeria, Almeria, Spain
Data source: Own remote observatory
Remote Source: Non-Commercial Standalone Installation

Hii,
I believe you will like this super object.
It is SH2-129, Giant Squid Nebula In Bicolor+RGB Star

url=https://astrofotky.cz/gallery.php?show=Peter.Jurista/1731107447.jpg][img]https://astrofotky.cz/~Peter.Jurista/thumbs/1731107447d.jpg[/img][/url]/img

BR
Peter,Slovakia
https://astrophotography-jurista.com/

A Rotten Fish in the sky (LDN 1251 nebula)

It is a complex dark nebula in the constellation Cepheus, containing dark structures and faintly glowing dust and gas. Its nickname is Rotten Fish Nebula.

Optics: Takahashi FSQ85
Camera: QSI683 CCD at -20°C
Mount: 10Micron GM1000HPS
Filters: Astrodon LRGB
Exposure: LRGB 120:9:9:9 10' exposure
(24.5 total hours of exposure)

Taken from Saint Barthelemy AO, Italy

[size=150][b]The Pleiades[/b][/size]

I figured it was about time I took a picture of the Pleiades - that famous star cluster that's been known throughout the world since ancient times. In Greek mythology the stars in this cluster are known as the seven sisters - the daughters of Atlas and Pleione. The cluster is easily visible without the aid of a telescope, and as a kid I was told that if you could make out at least six stars, then your eyesight was pretty good. If you are familiar with the constellation of Orion, then you can find the Pleiades by following a line drawn through the three stars in Orion's belt.

Just like the seven sisters, the stars in the Pleiades are also siblings - having formed from the same stellar nursery only about 100 million years ago. Since that time, they've traveled through space together. Currently they are making their way through an interstellar dust cloud about 450 light years from us. The area is brightly illuminated by blue-white starlight from the sisters, reflecting off the cloud.

In case you are interested, you can locate the seven sisters as follows: The two bright stars at the bottom of the image are the parents, Pleione and Atlas. The large star above the parents is Alcyone. Moving upward and slightly to the right, the next sister we encounter is Merope. A little higher, and over to the left is Maia, the eldest daughter. To the left of Maia are two stars close together - the top one is the sister Asterope. Moving upward again and to the right, the next big star is Taygeta, followed by Celaeno; and finally the large star top and center is Electra.

[u]Details:[/u]
QHY600C OSC CMOS Camera with IR-Cut Filter
Celestron RASA 11
11.7 hours, Imaged in October 2024
Processed in PixInsight & Photoshop
Location: Pleasant Hill, California


[attachment=0]Pleiades.jpg[/attachment]

-Paul

*******************************************************************
Bracken Observatory
https://paulbracken.com