This 2 panel mosaic was captured over 4 nights using the QHY367C Full Frame CMOS camera and Takahashi 130FSQ (System 1) December subscription data from GrandMesaObservatory.com in Purdy Mesa, Western Colorado.
The setup I used is System 1 and one of 3 telescopes currently available through Grand Mesa Observatory’s Subscription services
grandmesaobservatory.com/equipment-rentals/Total Integration time 7.66 hours
Image capture details
Dates: November 8th 12th,13th, 14th
Color Panel 1. 260 min, 26 x 600 sec
Color Panel 2. 200 min, 20 x 600 sec
Camera: QHY367C
Offset 76, Gain 2850 Calibrated with flat, dark & bias
Optics: System 1, Holloway Takahashi FSQ130 APO Refractor
Filters by Chroma (Narrowband are 5nm)
Image Acquisition software Maxim DL5
Pre Processed in Pixinsight
Post Processed in Photoshop
Iris and Ghost Nebulae (crop)
To the right of the image is Sharpless 136 (Sh2-136), LDN 1177, and surrounding The Iris Nebula to the left of the image is LBN 487, LDN 1174 and LDN 1172
The Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula nearly 1,300 light years away in the constellation Cepheus. NGC7023 is the cluster within LBN 487 and this nebula consists of gases and dusty material and shines by means of reflecting the light from a high-luminosity star, SAO 19158 within the nebula which formed from its material in the recent past.
The Iris Nebula is a very compact object, just 6 light-years across. It will eventually disperse as the young star blows the dust and gas away.
Objects like this are important in astronomy because they offer a glimpse into the formation process of stars. Additionally, the reflected light gives us valuable information regarding the composition of the Nebula and the star that it formed.
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