Barnard 84 (Dark Scorpion, Claw Nebula)

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

I have been overseas since the last ASNSW Star Party and have only just got back to start processing the images. This one (in no particular order) is the first cab off the rank.


The pic is one of the dark nebula identified in a photographic survey by E. E. Barnard. It is a dense interstellar cloud that obscures the light from objects such as stars or bright nebulae lying behind it. These dark clouds contain minute dust particles, coated with frozen carbon monoxide and nitrogen, which effectively block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. The whole area of the image is in an extremely dusty area of the sky, which leads to a marked reddening of the image


Picture and tech details here https://www.astrobin.com/416770/C/
Higher res here https://www.astrobin.com/full/416770/C/

[Andy01 (Andy)]

That's very cool Geoff - Barnard sure found some interesting objects up there - wonder how he went about it back then?

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Andy01

That's very cool Geoff - Barnard sure found some interesting objects up there - wonder how he went about it back then?

Thanks Andy. Barnard used the so-called Bruce telescope. This was compounded of three telescopes: a f5 10” refractor, a 6.5” f5 refractor and a 3” guide telescope. He took photos of the Milky Way and noticed the dark patches, which he then photographed systematically. This involved hours of sitting in a cold observatory manually guiding. Film camera of course.

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

That's magnificent! The structure is intriguingly complex.

The bottom half of the dust looks like the outline of an old car, facing left, complete with windscreen, two passenger-side windows, and a stumpy boot. The wheels have been stolen, but the headlights are both on.

Superb photo.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Very nice field Geoff Mike's car even has an alien, with a round head and piercing white eyes, looking out of the windscreen...

Mike

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks Mike and Mike. Maybe Elon Musk has been active in the area

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

Nice work Geoff. The dark nebulae do make for excellent imaging targets.

[Paul Haese]

Well hoovered up there Geoff. Dark Nebulae are always interesting to image and go after.

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks Rodney and Paul. Yes, dark nebulae can be good to image but they do need some interesting shape to make it worthwhile.

[Ross G]

A beautiful photo Geoff.


I love the detail and tones.


One of your best!


Ross.

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks for the generous praise Ross.
Geoff

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Nice. I like this target. Really looks like a scorpion to me.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Top shot Geoff. I did that one at astrofest on the first night but completely missed the fov by over a degree I reckon. I'll have to check what I actually shot.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Great shot Geoff, the dark nebula has an interesting finger claw like structure; reminds me of an evil villain