Duel of the Dragons

This is a 2 panel mosaic portrait of NGC 6188, the famous dragons of Ara. Nestled deep in the southern hemisphere in the constellation of Ara, this emission nebula is a magnet for us astrophotographers... and for good reasons, it packs some serious visual punch! With its striking resemblance to 2 dragons and its swirling gas clouds, it's has a very mystic appearance.

 

At the bottom right corner of the frame you will also find NGC 6164, also called theDragons Egg.

 

Each year, I circle back to this object to measure how my skills have levelled up. And you're looking at, in my humble opinion, the best shot I've managed yet... I think... My favourite at least !!

 

In framing this image, my goal was to enhance the sense of movement and flow. By highlighting details in the shadows and striking the right balance with the colours, I've tried to capture the dynamic essence of the interaction between the gasses, the hot and the cold and the dust blocking light.

 

Telescope: Askar 107 PHQ

Camera: ASI 1600mm Pro

Mount: Skywatcher EQ6-R

Cooling: -10

⚫️: Antlia Pro Lum 40x 180s

⚫️:Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 1.25": 54×600″(9h)

⚫️:Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 1.25": 34×600″(5h 40′)

⚫️:Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 1.25": 32×600″(5h 20′)

🔴: Antlia Red Pro: 30×60″(30′)

: Antlia Green Pro: 30×60″(30′)

🔵: Antlia Blue Pro: 30×60″(30′)

 

Integration:

21h 30′

Done