NGC 3372 – ETA CARINAE NEBULA

Carina 

Location (ra: 10:43,8/ dec -59:52)

DATA

TYPE: Bright Emission and Reflection Nebula.

VISUAL MAGNITUDE: n/a

SIZE: image 40 x 30 arc minutes.

DISTANCE: 10,000 light years.

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

The Eta Carinae Nebula is one of the largest region of ionized hydrogen gas in our Galaxy. Expanded in a distance of 260 light years it has seven times the size of the Orion Nebula. The photograph only shows a partial view of the complex. The Nebula has produced the Star Eta Carina which is among of the most massive and luminous star in our Milky Way. NGC 3372 present us its generous detail and regions formed of bright and dark interstellar matter. The brightest part is the Keyhole Nebula and the Homunkulus Nebula around Eta Carinae (not visible in the image)

The Eta Carinae Nebula was discovered by Abble Lacaille during his 2-year journey to the Cape of Good Hope in 1751/1752

IMAGE INFORMATION

SCOPE: Synta 6 Newtonian, LXD 75 Mount

SKY CONDITIONS: transparency poor, seeing good

CAMERA: Starlight Xpress SXVF H9

FILTERS: Astronomik Type II

EXPOSSURES: LHaRGB (2,5,5,5,5)

IMAGE ACQUISITION: Astro Art. CCD Control Plug in Interface version 3.72

DATE: January 2009

PROCESSED: Images Plus, (luminance Synthetic Sigma Average combination with LRGB), CCD Sharp, Photoshop CS2

6 " Newtonian

New 2" Focuser

The 6" Telescope with WO ZenithStar 66  acting as a guide scope