NGC 6960 "Witches Broom" Nebula in Cygnus

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2800x2100)

Scope: ES "Levy" Mak-Newt MN152  at f/4.8, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA   22 June 2012  Camera: ST8300M

Exposure: 10 x 6 min  (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block, 10 x 10 min (1x1 bin) H-Alpha exposure, 8 x 4 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  CCDSoft (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Sigma Combine), LRGB channel registration, central gradient removal, and color equalization - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, LRGB combine and finishing  - Photoshop. Final Color balance factors - eXcalibrator. This image is a HaLRGB combine with Luminance layering - The luminance construction was the UV/IR block exposure with nebula and contrast enhancement from the H-Alpha exposures.   Final Image size is approximately 2800x2100.

North is to the left in this image. NGC6960 is sometimes known as the Veil Nebula, sometimes as the Witches Broom, and sometimes as the Cirrus Nebula. This region is part of the Cygnus Loop - a larger complex that is really a super nova remnant.  Distance estimates vary but the approximate distance from Earth is about 2,600 light years.  This image replaces an earlier image in the Archives here. Horizontal FOV is about 120'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 20h 46m 12s Dec: +30°35'29"

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

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