Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA   29 May 2016  Camera: ST8300M (Baader LRGB filters)

Exposure: Exposure:  12 x 8 min (2x2 bin) exposure with H-Alpha filter, 14 x 8 min (1x1 bin) exposure with IR/UV Block filter, 8 x 4 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) - Deep Sky Stacker. LRGB channel registration, equalization, and gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine - ImagesPlus. Luminance Layering, final stretch, and finishing  - Photoshop. RGB calibration - eXcalibrator. This image is a  RGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color; H-Alpha exposure stack was screen blended into the IR/UV Blocking filter exposure stack for the luminance layer. Images processed at 3352 x 2532 resolution. Final Image size is approximately 2600 x 1950.

North is up in this image.  The LBN 20  region is an emission area in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The filed also has LBN 21 and LBN 22. Several background galaxies  can be seen at the edges of the emission nebula or through some of its fainter portions. Most of these background galaxies lie  between 380 to 410 million light years distant from Earth as  estimated by redshift. These objects  as well as some of the brighter stars  are identified in the annotated image.   Horizontal FOV is 85'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 16h 26m 44. Dec: -09°36'42"