The Rho Ophiuchus Nebulae Complex
The Rho Ophiuchus Nebulae Complex is located in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It features, the red giant Antares, the Ophiuchi triple star surrounded in reflection nebulae IC4604 located in the upper left. Also present is a globular cluster M4 in the upper right, with a dense star core accompanied by a small cluster NGC6144 and various segments of dark nebulae. The red-supergiant star Antares dominates the image and is surrounded by unusual yellow reflection nebulosity. Antares is approximately 700 light years away and is 10,000 times more luminous than our Sun. The red areas of this image are red emission nebulae that are created by hydrogen gas emitting light. The dark areas are not star void, but are dark nebula where thick dust clouds are obscuring background stars.
This is an ongoing project that I'm adding more exposures to as weather, the Moon, or time permits. My goal is to acquire 12 hours total of exposure on this area. Currently, I have a little under 4 hours. I will replace this photo with updated versions as they are acquired.
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM @ f5.6 200mm
Mount: Atlas EQ-G controlled with EQMOD
Camera: Canon 350D Modified with Baader-ACF
Filter: Astronomik CLS filter
Guide Telescope: Stellarvue AT1010 78mm Achromatic
Guide Camera: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider using PHD Guiding software
The Rho Ophiuchus Nebulae Complex
The Rho Ophiuchus Nebulae Complex is located in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It features, the red giant Antares, the Ophiuchi triple star surrounded in reflection nebulae IC4604 located in the upper left. Also present is a globular cluster M4 in the upper right, with a dense star core accompanied by a small cluster NGC6144 and various segments of dark nebulae. The red-supergiant star Antares dominates the image and is surrounded by unusual yellow reflection nebulosity. Antares is approximately 700 light years away and is 10,000 times more luminous than our Sun. The red areas of this image are red emission nebulae that are created by hydrogen gas emitting light. The dark areas are not star void, but are dark nebula where thick dust clouds are obscuring background stars.
This is an ongoing project that I'm adding more exposures to as weather, the Moon, or time permits. My goal is to acquire 12 hours total of exposure on this area. Currently, I have a little under 4 hours. I will replace this photo with updated versions as they are acquired.
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM @ f5.6 200mm
Mount: Atlas EQ-G controlled with EQMOD
Camera: Canon 350D Modified with Baader-ACF
Filter: Astronomik CLS filter
Guide Telescope: Stellarvue AT1010 78mm Achromatic
Guide Camera: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider using PHD Guiding software