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NGC 2420 in Gemini

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2600x1950)

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location:  Blair Valley, Anza Borrego Desert CA   12 February, 2016  Camera: Atik 383 (Astronomik Gen II  LRGB filters)

Exposure: Exposure: 12 x 6 min, (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block,  8 x 3 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) Deep Sky Stacker, LRGB channel registration and equalization - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine Images Plus. Luminance layering and finishing  - Photoshop. This image is an LRGB combine with Luminance layering. The Luminance construction was the Luminance exposures. Color saturation in LAB color.   Native image size - 3354xF2529.  Final Image size is approximately 2600x1950.

North is up in this image. The Open Cluster NGC 2420 is central in this image.  This clusters span, based on its distance, is about 30 light years. There are over 1,000 stars packed into this smallish space.  It is also rich in chemical elements; it is also about 3,000 light years above the Milky Way Galactic disk. It is unusual for a star cluster in this location of the galaxy be so rich in chemical elements. NGC 2420 is also relatively young - at about 1.7 billion years (about a third the age of the sun). Also in this field are some noticeable background galaxies including an interacting pair (PGC021441 and PGC021435) at about 400 million light years distant. The Cluster NGC 2420 is about 10 thousand light years distant. These objects and some of the bright stars are identified in the annotated image.   This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the archives here. Horizontal FOV is 85'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 07h 38m 30s Dec: +21°34'00"

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2016 copyright 2003 - 2012

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