Image centered on Ra 21 : 53.4 (hours : minutes) Dec+47 : 16 (degrees : minutes)
Cocoon Nebula ( IC 5146)
Information
The cocoon nebula Is an Emission nebula composed primarily of Hydrogen Gas which envelopes a cluster of stars. The radiation in the ultraviolet wavelengths are absorbed by the enveloping gas and then re-radiated at a much longer wavelength in the deep red end of the spectrum.
Optics and exposure data
Telescope, Vixen R200ss 8 inch Newtonian at F4 (Fl 800mm) with a Televue Coma Corrector and aftermarket Moonlite accessories focuser.
Mount, Losmandy G11 with Gemini control electronics
Imager, Starlite-Xpress SXV-h9 using Astronomiks RGB and Schuler Ha optical filters.
Exposure data, Ha = 90 minutes total with 5 min subexposures, RGB = 15 min each with 2 min subexposures. Final RGB composite image = (Ha+R)Gb.
Images acquired with Astroart and aligned then combined in Maxim Dl. Final RGB composite processed with Photoshop Cs
Images acquired from my backyard - " Dirt Clod Observatory" in Antelope California
