Object: The Constellation Cygnus (The Swan)
Date: 6/4/05
Location: ASLC DSO site near Upham, NM.
Camera: Pentax 6x7medium format camera using a Pentax 105mm f/2.4 lens @ f/4.
Film:  120 Kodak E200 (pushed one stop)
Exposure: Single 45-minute exposure
Processing: Film processed and scanned at PDQ in Las Cruces - Note: the lower end of the histogram was clipped slightly in scanning.
Mount: Meade 10" LX200 (piggyback platform)
Guiding: SC-1 modified webcam and GuideDog
Comments: The image is centered around the Constellation Cygnus, which lies in the plane of the Milkyway north of the galactic hub. This region is filled with dense star clouds, emission nebula, and a supernova remnant.  The tail of the swan (Deneb) is to the upper left and the head (Albireo) is at the lower right of the photograph. Note the North American and Pelican nebulae near the tail. The Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant, is visible near the bottom left as a dim red arc. This image won First Place in the Film/Digital category of the 2005 Lodestar Astronomy Center Astrophotography Contest.

© Dave Dockery 2005