23/06/2022
NGC 6559
NGC 6559 is a cloud of gas and dust located at a distance of about 5000 light-years from Earth, in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The glowing region is a relatively small object, just a few light-years across, in contrast to the one hundred light-years and more spanned by its famous neighbour, the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8). Although it is usually overlooked in favour of its distinguished companion, NGC 6559 has the leading role in this new picture.
The gas in the clouds of NGC 6559, mainly hydrogen, is the raw material for star formation. When a region inside this nebula gathers enough matter, it starts to collapse under its own gravity. The centre of the cloud grows ever denser and hotter, until thermonuclear fusion begins and a star is born. The hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms, releasing energy that makes the star shine.
These brilliant hot young stars born out of the cloud energise the hydrogen gas still present around them in the nebula. The gas then re-emits this energy, producing the glowing threadlike red cloud seen near the centre of the image. This object is known as an emission nebula.
Constellation : Sagittarius
Distance from Earth : 5000 Light years
Equipment Details
Skywatcher EQ6R Pro Mount
Explore Scientific ED102 FCD100 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
ZWO ASI 1600MM Cooled Camera
ZWO Filter Wheel
ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser
Chroma Filters
Stellamira 2” Field Flattener
Skywatcher ED72 Telescope as Guidescope
ZWO ASI 120MC-S camera as Guide Camera
Capturing Software is Sequence Generator Pro
Processed in Pixinsight and Adobe Photoshop
Technical Details
Total integration time 19.4 hours from Bortle 8/9 sky.
HA – 57 X 600 SEC
OIII – 55 X 600 SEC
