Hues of the Heavens
Astrophotography by Ivan Bok
The Prawn Nebula
A Narrowband View of a Celestial Crustacean
Description
The Prawn Nebula (IC 4628) is an emission nebula and star-forming region located in the constellation of Scorpius. Due to the presence of hydrogen-rich gas clouds, it glows in a reddish hue when high energy radiation from massive stars ionize the interstellar gas cloud. Beside the Prawn Nebula is a bright star cluster known as the Northern Jewel Box or False Comet. Designated as NGC 6231, it appears to leave a trail of stars leading to IC 4628.
Imaging Details
Location: Singapore
Date(s): June & July 19
Telescope: APM LZOS 130 at f/4.5
Camera: Atik 16200M, Baader & Chroma Filters
Mount: Losmandy G11/G2
Exposure (min): HII - 155, OIII - 105, SII - 90 (Total 5.8 hours)
Stars (RGB) (min): R - 10.5, G - 10.5, B - 10.5
Image reduction, integration and processing with Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight.