Rosette Nebula SHO

Reflections in a Bloodshot Eye

 

They call NGC 2244 the Rosette Nebula but to me the object embodies the eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings and visualizes the realm of Mordor.

…a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust — the Great Eye ever watchful.

 

The Picture:

Sulphur II - 25 three minute exposures

Hydrogen Alpha - 25 three minute exposures

Oxygen III - 25 three minute exposures

SHO, Hubble Palette.

 

The Hardware:

Telescope: Explore Scientific 5” refractor at f7.5 (basically, a big 953mm lens)

Camera: ZWO 2600mm (aps-c, monocrome, cooled)

Filter Wheel, filters: ZWO 5 position, Optolong narrowband

Mount: iOptron CEM70ec

 

The Software:

Planetarium/Target Selection: Stellarium

Capture: NINA

Tracking/Guiding: iOptron Commander/ PHD2

Stacking/Processing: Pixinsight/Photoshop/Topaz

Environmental: Pegasus Powerbox

 

The Science:

I see a pattern with these lagoon-type nebulae. Massive stars clear the central structure, jamming molecules of hydrogen and helium into the edges of the structure activating intensive and extensive star formation.

 

 

Done