HDW2 (Hartl-Dengl-Weinberger 2) and OCL366
Ancient Planetary nebula and star cluster in Cassiopeia
with 10" f/3.9 Astrograph
Uploaded 12/29/20/20

 

            
This is one of the faintest,
            largest, and most challenging planetary nebula in the sky to
            image satisfactorily. Located near IC1848 - the "Embryo
            Nebula" in a rich field of countless stars and nebulosity.
            The planetary is named unofficially - "The Bear Claw"
            Planetary, because of its surface parallel ripples. Surrounding
            this large teal colored nebula is a super faint red ring of nebulosity
            from an earlier pre-planetary phase of star atmosphere expulsion.

            
At the top of the frame
            is a nearly never photographed open star cluster known only as
            OCL366. Dozens of stars with blue tints highlight this sparse
            but interesting group of stars.

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1200


Instrument:  10" f/3.9 Orion Astrograph Newtonian with Baader MPCC
Mount:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
Camera:  ZWO ASI071MC Pro Color CMOS
Guider: ZWO ASI mini  w/80mm piggyback refractor
Exposure:  110 minutes total = 90m with Optolong l-Enhance + 20m RGB
Location:  Payson, Arizona, Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 2 arcsec , Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  35 F

Image Processing Tools: 
Maxim DL6:  Calibration, Color Conversion, aligning, stacking
PixInsight:  Saturation Curves
Photoshop CS2:  Curves, Color Correction, Gradient removal (Grad Xterminator), Cleanup

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