NGC 663 and NGC 654 in Cassiopeia

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2600x1950)

Scope: FSQ-106N at f/5, Location:  Pine Creek, Laguna Mountains, CA,   5 August 2016  Camera: Atik 383 (Astronomik Gen II  LRGB filters)

Exposure: Exposure: 12 x 5 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, rough color calibration - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine Images Plus. Luminance layering and finishing  - Photoshop. This image is an LRGB combine with Luminance layering. Final color calibration - eXcalibrator. The Luminance construction was the Luminance exposures. Color saturation in LAB color.    Native image size - 3354x2529.  Final Image size is approximately 2600x1950.

North is to the right in this image. This field lies within the constellation of Cassiopeia. The large star cluster  near center is NGC 663. There are four other open clusters in this image; NGC 659, NGC654, IC 166, and Berkeley 6. IC 166 is noticeably redder since it is an older cluster compared to the other clusters (430 million years old compared to the others between 15-30 million years old).  IC 166  is the most distant cluster at about 12,900 light years; the NGC clusters range from 6,320 to 6,650 light years; the Berkeley is 7,500 light years distant.  Additionally there is a faint dark lane from the upper left to the lower right - most prominent in the lower right where there are three Lynds Dark Nebulae - LBN 1337, 1334, and 1332.  These objects , selected background galaxies, 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 120'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 01h 47m 33s Dec: +61°14'57"

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

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