NGC6302 - The Bug Nebula or Butterfly Nebula - Explored September 16, 2021

NGC6302, know as the Bug Nebula or the Butterfly Nebula is a bipolar planetary nebula in the constellation of Scorpius. The structure in the nebula is among the most complex ever observed in planetary nebulae and its central star is also one of the hottest stars known (Surface temperature is in excess of 250,000 degrees Celsius). It is approximately 3392 light years from earth.

This was a very quick imaging session before the clouds rolled in, and so is only 2 hours of narrowband subs. 1 hour of Hydrogen A (Ha) and 1 hour of Oxygen 3(Oiii), but processed using the H-O-O palette giving 3 hours..As this object is very small in our 6 inch RC telescope it is difficult to extract a lot of detail, but I am very happy how it turned out, and the ASIair made the whole process of setup and capturing very quick and easy.

 

Equipment Details:

•6 Inch GSO Ritchey-Chretien (RC) F9 1370mm Focal length

•Skywatcher NEQ6 Mount

•ZWO ASI1600mm Cmos Camera cooled to -10'c

•ZWO EFW7 Filter Wheel

•Baader 36mm unmounted Ha, Oiii

•Orion ST80 80mm Guide Scope

•ZWO ASI120mm mini Guide Camera

•ZWO ASIAIR Pro for full automation

 

Exposure Details:

•Ha 20X180 seconds - Bin 1x1 (Red)

•Oiii 20X180 seconds - Bin 1x1 (Green)

•Oiii 20X180 seconds - Bin 1x1 (Blue)

 

Total Integration Time: 2 hours

Done