Object: The Trifid Nebula (M20)
Date: 5/21/04
Location: Texas Star Party - Ft. Davis, TX
Telescope: Meade 10" LX200 (f/6.3)
Guiding: 208XT
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel (300D) @ Prime Focus
Exposure: 13x2.5min, ISO-800, 55-60 degrees
Processing: Raw images converted to 16bit TIFF then calibrated and stacked (min/max excluded average) in ImagesPlus. Levels and curves (final color balance) were adjusted in Photoshop. I was careful to not over-process this image, though I really wanted to pull more of the faint reflection nebula and color out. (I need more exposures.)
Comments: This beautiful nebula is located over in the next arm of our galaxy (towards the hub) at an estimated distance of 6,500ly. It's a fine example of the three types of nebulae; emission nebula (red), reflection nebula (blue), and dark or absorption nebula (the dark bands and clouds.) I'm really pleased with the detail in the dust clouds and pillars on this shot.© Dave Dockery 2004