M1 The first item in the
Messier catalogue is the famous Crab Nebula, a
remnant of a
supernova explosion observed and recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054. The supernova itself was brilliant and with a peak
magnitude of –7 was easily visible in daylight. Today, it still rates as one of the brightest natural stellar events ever recorded. Roll on 950+ years and the initial explosive has long since faded but the aftermath - the
nebula - remains visible. At mag. +8.4 and with an apparent size of 7x5
arc minutes, it is approximately 6,500 light-years away
Information Credits:
Home Free Star ChartsTelescope: Explorer Scientific 127mm CF APO Refractor f/7.5 (952mm Focal Length)
Mount IOptron CEM40
Camera ZWOASI6200MC-Pro Temp -10C, Binning 1 x 1, Gain 100 Offset 50
ZWO EFW
82 X 180 Second Exposures W/Optolong L-Extreme Filter (6nm)
30 Dark Frames 30 Flats
Total Integration Time: Hours Minutes
Acquisition with SharpCap
Stacked with Astro Pixel Processor
Guiding PHD2
Processed with Astra Image
Photo taken from Seven Lakes, NC Bortle 4.5
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