| "The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 82) |
Astrophotography by Jason Jennings |
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| Nebulae :: NGC2359 - Thor's Helmet | |
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| Resolutions Available: 780x780 : 1560x1560 | |
| Object | NGC2359 - Thor's Helmet |
| Comment |
NGC2359 is a remarkable emission nebula located in the constellation Canis Major. It is powered by a hot Wolf-Rayet star (HD 56925) that is shedding stellar material. The extremely strong stellar winds that flow outward from the star interact with previously expelled gas and dust providing a bubble-like feature rich in doubly ionised oxygen. The complex structure surrounding the bubble has formed by the ongoing interaction of ejected material and the interstellar medium. Given the nebula's intriguing shape that resembles a Viking warrior's head gear, it is more commonly known as Thor's Helmet. The nebula is located approximately 15,000 light-years away. This image is a Ha:OIII:OIII composite with an RGB blend. |
| Optics | RCOS 24" F/8 (4876 mm FL) |
| Camera | Apogee Alta U42 - 1x1 bin (image scale .57 arcsec/pix) |
| Mount | RCOS Professional Series Equatorial Fork |
| Exposure | Total exposure time: 4.3 hours (Ha:70min,OIII:70min,RGB:40min respectively) |
| Date |
05/12/2008 20/12/2008 |