M17 Swan

Image taken at Clayton Bay, South Australia

Equipment - GSO 8" RC, with QSI583WSG

Guiding - QSI OAG and Orion Star Shoot Autoguider.

Ha -150 minutes

Darks, flats and biases applied

Processed in CCD stack and Photoshop CS3

Object - The Swan or Omega nebula is an emission nebula located at a distance of around 5000-6000 light years from Earth. It has a diameter of around 40 light years and contains around 800 solar masses of gas and dust.

Notes - This is a very interesting looking nebula at this scale. it just fits inside the sensor dimensions. I have decided that 15 minute subs are of more benefit and am considering 20 minute subs for the luminence layer.