M8 Field with the MiniCat 51 and IDAS NBZ2
Emission nebula in Sagittarius
Uploaded 7/22/26

 

            
Located 5000 light years
            from the Earth, this massive star forming hydrogen cloud in the
            constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer) is 1000 light years
            wide and one of the brightest gas clouds of its type in the entire
            sky. It is called the "Lagoon Nebula" and has a bright
            star cluster inside which was actually formed from the gas in
            this nebula. Stars being born right before our eyes! 2 hours
            exposure from Payson. Here is the Context Image of the region
            around M8 with the MiniCat 51 for 2 hours. The IDAS NBZ2 filter
            was used to boost the nebulosity and is a dual band filter of
            exceptional utility. Above is the Trifid, and that large red
            ring off to the right is Sharpless 2-22. Sharpless 2-34 is uppper
            left. Notice the colors of all the stars in the Milkyway here
            - all yellows and browns. This is due to the extreme amount of
            dust in this field.

            
Technical Data: MiniCat
            51mm f/3.5 astrograph, ASI2600 MC, IDAS NBZ2 = 2 hours total,
            Payson, Az.

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1400 x 1200


Instrument:  WO MiniCat 51
Mount:  AP1200
Camera:  Color CMOS ASI2600 MC
Guider: ZenithStar 81
Exposure:  120 m ( 5 min subs)
Location:  Payson, Arizona, Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 2 arcsec , Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  35 F

Image Processing Tools: 
Maxim DL6:  Calibration
PixInsight:  Alignment, Stacking, Star Removal
Photoshop CS2:  Curves, Color Correction, Cleanup

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