Alves 2
Alves 2 is an ISM nebula in Auriga with a very intriguing structure. It was discovered in 2013 by Filipe Alves. If one goes searching for information about this object, you will find nothing. No HASH, no PNnet, etc. This is one of those objects that doesn't really fit the box for anything that can be catalogued for amateurs. In fact there are also very few images of it – my thanks to the 3 imagers that have put their images on AstroBin before me – their images spurred me on to give it a go. It is very faint and indeed quite difficult to achieve a satisfactory image.
Imaging telescope: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging camera: ASI 2600MM
Mount: JTW Trident P75
Guiding telescope: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding camera: QHY 5 II
Focal Extender / Reducer: 0.73X
Software: Sequence Generator Pro SGP (for capture) PHD 2 (guiding), Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight.
Filters: Astrodon Ha (3nm), Astrodon OIII (3nm), Astrodon RGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 21st Dec. 2024 - 2nd Jan. 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 120 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 120 x 600"
Astrodon RGB 3 x 60 x 60"
Total integration = 43 Hours.
Center (RA, Dec): (99.825, 40.846)
Center (RA, hms): 06h 39m 17.888s
Center (Dec, dms): +40° 50' 45.441"
Size: 1.85 x 1.39 deg
Radius: 1.158 deg
Pixel scale: 1.63 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: Up is 355.0 degrees E of N
Imaging telescope: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging camera: ASI 2600MM
Mount: JTW Trident P75
Guiding telescope: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding camera: QHY 5 II
Focal Extender / Reducer: 0.73X
Software: Sequence Generator Pro SGP (for capture) PHD 2 (guiding), Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight.
Filters: Astrodon Ha (3nm), Astrodon OIII (3nm), Astrodon RGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 21st Dec. 2024 - 2nd Jan. 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 120 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 120 x 600"
Astrodon RGB 3 x 60 x 60"
Total integration = 43 Hours.
Center (RA, Dec): (99.825, 40.846)
Center (RA, hms): 06h 39m 17.888s
Center (Dec, dms): +40° 50' 45.441"
Size: 1.85 x 1.39 deg
Radius: 1.158 deg
Pixel scale: 1.63 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: Up is 355.0 degrees E of N
Sky Map & Finding Chart
Ha, OIII & RGB in the image:
Annotated Image:
