IC1287 & NGC6649 in Scutum
with 10" f/3.9 Astrograph
Uploaded 5/28/26

 

            
This spectacular pairing
            of deep sky objects in Scutum is always overlooked due to the
            nearby brighter targets such as M11 or M16. A magnificent blue
            reflection nebula IC1287 surrounds a hot blue star partially
            encompassed by a wreath of more blue tendrils. Upper left is
            a very rich open cluster NGC6649 which sports a bright orange
            beacon on its southern side. The photo key which Ive labled also
            shows two bright red planetary nebula, M1-51 to the lower left
            and M3-55 just above the cluster. The background here is a mottled
            dusty Milkyway with dark lanes intersperesed with bright star
            clouds.

            
Technical Data: 10"
            f/3.9 Newtonian astrograph, Atik 16200 CCD, LRGB = 3 hours total,
            Payson, Az.

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1600 x 1290


Instrument:  10" f/3.9 Orion Astrograph Newtonian with Baader MPCC
Mount:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
CCD Camera:  ATIK 16200 
Guider: ASI290  w/80mm WO Zenithstar 81 piggyback refractor
Exposure:  3 hours LRGB
Astronomik  RGB Combine Ratio:  1: 1.05: 1.5
Location:  Payson, Arizona, Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 3 arcsec , Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  55 F
CCD Temperature:  -30 C
Image Processing Tools: 
Maxim DL6:  Calibration, PixInsight:  All Remaining processing, Photoshop CS2: Production finishing 

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