The main part of the image shows the Heart Nebula (named so because of its shape and resemblance to a human heart) which is an emission nebula (containing gas that glows internally rather than by reflected starlight) that is 7,500 light years (ly) away from Earth in the Constellation Cassiopeia.
At the very center is the intriguingly complex and twisting area of nebulosity designated at Melotte 15, often referred to as the ‘Heart of the Heart’. The blue color at the center of the image surrounding Mel 15 is due to ionized oxygen gas, while the red, gold, and yellow colors at the periphery are due to ionized sulfur and hydrogen gases and their overlap.
In the upper left part of the image is the Fish Head Nebula approximately 6,000 ly from Earth.
Data for this project was captured using two telescopes at the same time: a Stellarvue SVX90T and an Askar 107PHQ (see below for details), and then data was compiled into a single set for processing.
Capture Dates: 9/28, 9/29, and 9/30/2024
Rig 1:
Stellarvue SVX90T Apochromatic Refractor @native 540mm fL (1.44”/px)
Guidescope/Cam: SV106 with ASI120mm mini
ASIAir Plus, ASI2600MM, ZWO AM5 mount, ZWO 7-position 2” filter wheel
Filters:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 2": 46×300″ [3:50]
Antlia 3nm Narrowband SII 2": 45×300″ [3:45]
Antlia 3nm Narrowband OIII 2": 82×300″ [6:50]
Antlia Pro V RGB 2” (for stars): 50x60s [0:50]
Rig 1 Integration time: 15:15
Rig 2:
Askar 107PHQ with 0.7x reducer at fL = 524mm, f/4.9 (1.47”/px)
Guidescope/Cam: SV106 with ASI178mm
ASIAir Plus, ASI2600MM, ZWO AM5 mount, ZWO 7-position 2” filter wheel
Filters:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 2": 75×300″ [6:15]
Antlia 3nm Narrowband SII 2": 54×300″ [4:30]
Antlia 3nm Narrowband OIII 2": 68×300″ [5:40]
Rig 2 Integration time: 16:25
Total Integration Time: 31:40
