Three Deep Sky Objects in One Frame

[ressalg]

(L to R)
The Lagoon Nebula (M8), The Trifid Nebula (M20) and an Open Cluster of stars (M21). Located in the constellation of Sagittarius. 5000, 5200 and 4000 light years away, respectively.



Single 3 minute exposure @ ISO 400 processed in CS2.

[Heaterguy]

Those are really great shots. Living in the city we don't quite see the sky as you are able to do so.

[Nicole]

Very cool. What did you use to take your photo? Did you use a telescope mount? This is just incredibly neat looking.

[ressalg]

Originally Posted by Heaterguy

Those are really great shots. Living in the city we don't quite see the sky as you are able to do so.

Thanks, Heaterguy. Unfortunately, living in a city of a million, I don't get very dark skies unless I drive for 45 minutes to get to a place that's moderately dark. Which in this case, I did!

Originally Posted by Nicole

Very cool. What did you use to take your photo? Did you use a telescope mount? This is just incredibly neat looking.

Thanks very much, Nicole. And, yes, a telescope on a go-to mount... along with various other nick-nacks and gizmos.

[bearly]

thats incredible... did you have something special to get the pink colors to show up?

really beautiful photo

[ressalg]

Originally Posted by bearly

thats incredible... did you have something special to get the pink colors to show up?

really beautiful photo

Actually, yes... the Canon 20Da is a bit special. It's the only camera that Canon put out that was geared specifically towards astrophotography. Mainly because the regular sensor filter was replaced with one that would pass more of the red end of the spectrum... known as the Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) wavelength. When you see the colour red in most astrophotos it's from Hydrogen gas being "excited" by radiation from nearby stars. So, when photographing nebulas, it helps to have that extra red sensistivity. Thanks for looking.

[pjflan7]

Great shot and interesting explanation on your equipment

[Fred flyfisher]

beautiful work ressalg... very nice.

[ressalg]

Originally Posted by pjflan7

Great shot and interesting explanation on your equipment

Thanks (again), Patrick.

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

beautiful work ressalg... very nice.

Glad you enjoyed it, Fred.

[ressalg]

Originally Posted by lc1987h

I have been wondering how you pictured it and processed it, you know this is very impressive. Thank you for sharing!

In (a very itty-bitty, teeny-weenie) nutshell, the picture is taken through a telescope. I think I've found a basic formula to process the images, too. There are lots of websites and books out there that can explain it better than I ever could. Just Google "astrophotography".