AstraPharma
NGC 2359 - The Helmet Thor never really wore
NGC 2359, famously known as Thor's Helmet Nebula, a celestial masterpiece that resides approximately 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major. This cosmic gem, imaged with narrowband techniques, showcases the intricate dance of elements and forces that shape our universe. The nebula earned its dramatic moniker due to its striking resemblance to the legendary helmet worn by the Norse god of thunder, Thor, in modern artistic renditions. Though in mythology Thor never wore a winged helmet, it became synonymous with his name. However, beyond its mythical association, the nebula is a real-life spectacle of astrophysical wonders.
At its heart lies a Wolf-Rayet star, WR7, an extremely massive and hot star that expels its outer layers in a stellar wind, creating the breathtaking bubble-like structure we observe. The expelled material forms the nebula's intricate filaments and dynamic appearance. The intense radiation emitted by WR7 interacts with the surrounding interstellar medium, illuminating the nebula's features in a stunning display of cosmic artistry. The vibrant hues of red and blue in the image represent ionized hydrogen and oxygen, providing valuable insights into the elemental composition and temperature of the nebula.
Equipment:
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 9.25" with 0.7 reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro
Filters:
Chroma LRGB 36 mm
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm ·
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm
Acquisition details
Dates: Jan. 17 - 18, 2024
Frames:
Chroma Blue 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Chroma Green 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 46×300″(3h 50′)
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 72×300″(6h)
Chroma Red 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Integration: 10h 20′
Avg. Moon age: 7.20 days
Avg. Moon phase: 48.08%
NGC 2359 - The Helmet Thor never really wore
NGC 2359, famously known as Thor's Helmet Nebula, a celestial masterpiece that resides approximately 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major. This cosmic gem, imaged with narrowband techniques, showcases the intricate dance of elements and forces that shape our universe. The nebula earned its dramatic moniker due to its striking resemblance to the legendary helmet worn by the Norse god of thunder, Thor, in modern artistic renditions. Though in mythology Thor never wore a winged helmet, it became synonymous with his name. However, beyond its mythical association, the nebula is a real-life spectacle of astrophysical wonders.
At its heart lies a Wolf-Rayet star, WR7, an extremely massive and hot star that expels its outer layers in a stellar wind, creating the breathtaking bubble-like structure we observe. The expelled material forms the nebula's intricate filaments and dynamic appearance. The intense radiation emitted by WR7 interacts with the surrounding interstellar medium, illuminating the nebula's features in a stunning display of cosmic artistry. The vibrant hues of red and blue in the image represent ionized hydrogen and oxygen, providing valuable insights into the elemental composition and temperature of the nebula.
Equipment:
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 9.25" with 0.7 reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro
Filters:
Chroma LRGB 36 mm
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm ·
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm
Acquisition details
Dates: Jan. 17 - 18, 2024
Frames:
Chroma Blue 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Chroma Green 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 46×300″(3h 50′)
Chroma OIII 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 72×300″(6h)
Chroma Red 36 mm: 20×30″(10′)
Integration: 10h 20′
Avg. Moon age: 7.20 days
Avg. Moon phase: 48.08%