Object: Tail of the Scorpion
Exposure: Single 10-minute exposure
Processing: Film processed and scanned at PDQ in Las Cruces using an Epson 1600
Telescope: Meade 10" LX200 (Piggyback platform)
Unguided
Camera: Canon F1 using a Canon 135mm f/2.5 lens stopped down one half stop.
Film: 35mm Kodak Supra 400 - old emulsion
Location: Texas Star Party - Ft. Davis, Texas
Date: 5/19/04
Processing: Levels and curves in Photoshop
Comments: This shot captures the tail region of the constellation Scorpius and includes a number of interesting deep sky objects. When I had finished processing this image, I pulled out my Sky Atlas 2000 and spent an enjoyable 30 minutes or so just locating objects referenced in the charts.  The bright open cluster in the right central area of the image ( NGC-6231) is commonly called the northern Jewel Box and just above it lies a region of red emission nebula called IC4628.  I have a close-up of the Jewel Box here.  Up from IC4628 is a tight open cluster NGC-6242 and further up and left from there is NGC-6281, another cluster with a loose grouping of stars.  Near the top and just left of center is a red emission nebula (NGC-6334), known as the cat's paw nebula for obvious reasons.  Then dropping straight down 3/4 of the way to the bottom you'll see a region of dark nebula (Barnard 263) that looks like a hole in the stars.

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© Dave Dockery 2004