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M4 in Scorpius

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (1800x1350)

Scope: FSQ-106N 106 mm refractor at f/5, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA  10 May 2013  Camera: Artemis285

Exposure: 16 x 4 min  (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block, 8 x 2.5 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Artemis Capture (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Sigma Combine), LRGB channel registration, equalization, central gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, LRGB combine and finishing  - Photoshop. Final color Calibration with eXcalibrator. This image is a straightforward LRGB combine with Luminance layering.     Final Image size is approximately 1800x1350.

North is up in this image. M4 is a relatively close globular cluster in the constellation of Scorpius - it is a distance of about 7,200 light years from Earth. M4 is a "loose" globular cluster in that its' core is not tightly packed with stars. It would be a more spectacular object in our skies if it were not for the interstellar dust that obscures this object. This dust also accounts for the reddish hue of this cluster. The dust obscure shorter blue wavelengths more heavily than the longer red wavelengths. M4 is located about 1.3 degrees West of the bright star AntaresThis image replaces an earlier image in the archives here; the Rho Ophiucus web page shows some of M4's close neighbors. Horizontal FOV is 36'

Image Center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 16h 23m 36s Dec: -26°31'29"

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2013

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