SH2-284
(The above image was updated on a wet afternoon in March 2022)
In 2023: the above image was sharpened and curves adjusted for different colouring:
Sh2-284 is a HII star forming region of gas and dust located in the constellation Monoceros approximately 15 thousand light years from the Earth. This remarkable nebula resembles the more familiar Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49). Along the edges of Sh2-284 are several "elephant trunk" formations. These are monstrous pillars of gas and dust that stretch into the central void of the nebula. Perhaps the most prominent of the pillars is located to the left center. It resembles the forefinger of a hand pointing to the stars in the center of the nebula. These pillars are formed by intense radiation and stellar winds radiating from the very hot stars of the central open cluster designated Dolidze 25. The radiation and wind from the cluster is responsible for clearing the central void in the surrounding nebula. Dolidze 25 is a very young cluster with an estimated age of approximately 3 to 4 million years.
Imaging telescopes or lenses: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging cameras: QSI 6120i
Mounts: Takahashi EM 400 Temma 2M
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding cameras: QHY CCD QHY 5 II
Focal Extender / Reducer: Tak QE 0.73x
Capture Software: Sequence Generator Pro, PHD 2
Processing Software: Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight, Topaz DeNoise, Photoshop
Filters: Astrodon Ha, SII & OIII
Accessories: SeleTEK2/Robofocus Focuser, ATIK EFW3
Original Resolution: 3282 x 2500 (Crop from 4000x2500)
Dates: 10th Nov - 27th Nov '21
Frames:
Astrodon Ha 15 x 20'
Astrodon SII 28 x 20'
Astrodon OIII 24 x 20'
Total Time: 22 Hours 20 Mins.
Center (RA, Dec): (101.255, 0.349)
Center (RA, hms): 06h 45m 01.107s
Center (Dec, dms): +00° 20' 56.494"
Size: 73.5 x 56 arcmin
Radius: 0.770 deg
Pixel scale: 1.36 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: Up is 180 degrees E of N
Imaging telescopes or lenses: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging cameras: QSI 6120i
Mounts: Takahashi EM 400 Temma 2M
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding cameras: QHY CCD QHY 5 II
Focal Extender / Reducer: Tak QE 0.73x
Capture Software: Sequence Generator Pro, PHD 2
Processing Software: Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight, Topaz DeNoise, Photoshop
Filters: Astrodon Ha, SII & OIII
Accessories: SeleTEK2/Robofocus Focuser, ATIK EFW3
Original Resolution: 3282 x 2500 (Crop from 4000x2500)
Dates: 10th Nov - 27th Nov '21
Frames:
Astrodon Ha 15 x 20'
Astrodon SII 28 x 20'
Astrodon OIII 24 x 20'
Total Time: 22 Hours 20 Mins.
Center (RA, Dec): (101.255, 0.349)
Center (RA, hms): 06h 45m 01.107s
Center (Dec, dms): +00° 20' 56.494"
Size: 73.5 x 56 arcmin
Radius: 0.770 deg
Pixel scale: 1.36 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: Up is 180 degrees E of N
Sky Map
SII, Ha & OIII in the image:
Annotated Image:
