2022 Sept. 29 ~ The Starcloud in the Constellation Scutum (The Shield)

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Photographed at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

(285 km by road north of Toronto)

between 22.01 and 22.24 EDT

* Altitude of centre of frame at time of exposures: ~27°, declining to 24°

* Temperature 3° C.

 

* Total exposure time: 12 minutes

* 150 mm focal length lens

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Description:

 

Although Scutum is the fifth smallest constellation in the sky, it contains many open star clusters, a globular star cluster, and many dark foreground gas clouds. Located in the heart of northern hemisphere summer Milky Way, Scutum also features a bright starcloud that is easily visible to the unaided eye, and is magnificent to observe in binoculars - as long as you are in a dark sky location well away from the light pollution of our cities!

 

For a version of this photo WITH LABELS, click on your screen to the RIGHT of the photo, or click here:

www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/52403087835

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Technical information:

 

Nikkor AF-S 70-200 mm f/2.8 G ED VRII lens on Nikon D810a camera body, mounted on Astrophysics 1100GTO equatorial mount with Kirk Enterprises ball head

 

Twelve stacked subframes; each frame:

ISO 4000; 1 minute exposure at f/4.5

(with LENR - long exposure noise reduction)

 

Subframes stacked in RegiStar;

Processed in Photoshop CS6 (levels, colour balance)

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Done