M6 Butterfly cluster & Sh2-12

[marco]

Hi everyone, I've just uploaded a picture of M6, the Butterfly cluster in Scorpio. This object is located in the middle of the Milky Way in a field rich of stars and nebulae, being on the edge of the HII complex SH2-12. The link:

M6 and surroundings (http://www.glitteringlights.com/Images/Open-and-Globular-clusters/i-PL62NBV)

The total exposure of about 6 hours in RGB was reinforced with over 4 hours of Ha, highlighting the intense emission of Sh2-12 (only partially visible in the single frame posted). Spikes are added with StarSpikesPro to give, to my taste, more appeal to the cluster (:question:).
What do you think?

Clear skies
Marco

[cometcatcher]

Gorgeous image Marco. Although that is a very inadequate way to describe such beauty. Probably the best M6 image I've seen.

[gregbradley]

Fantastic Marco. I looked at that one for a long time. Its very clear/transparent and sparkling and has quite a strong appeal. I like the brightness of the bright stars, yet you've got some detailed shadows, a nice range of colours - the red/crimson is offset nicely with the golden star fields.

Greg.

[LewisM]

Your TEC has spider vanes - you better send it to me to fix. :P

Very nice, as usual, but I would remove the starspikes. Artificially added artificial artifacts - there's a double negative :D

[marc4darkskies]

Magical shot Marco! Nicely done! :thumbsup:

I'm not a big fan of artificial spikes but it definitely works here.

Cheer, Marcus

[RickS]

Magical is a good description. I like the spikes too.

Cheers,
Rick.

[multiweb]

Another corker Marco. Love the colors. Very cool. :thumbsup:

[Peter Ward]

Another masterpiece. Beautiful :thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

What do I think?

I don't mind the spikes. It sort of helps to hide few of those haloes and it is aesthetically pleasing too. I grew up on diffraction spikes so I don't mind seeing them in an image.

Colour is very nice with a few points of interest, but not an object on my imaging list. Its a nice view with that big sensor too.

Overall I like the image, spikes and all.:)

[jase]

Very impressive Marco. You are the colour king. Fake diffraction spikes and all, still works for me. Well done.

[marco]

Thanks all for your appreciation, I am glad you liked this image and also the choice of adding the spikes. I also want to dedicate this one to my second daughter that was born two days ago, now I have one more reason to stay up during the night :D

Clear skies to all!
Marco

[stevous67]

Hahaha! Double congratulations! Beautiful effort.

Steve

[Nightskystargaz]

Marco,

Very nice image of M-6 the Butterfly Cluster :).

CS,KLU,

:thanx:,

Tom

[gvanhau]

What a beautifull image!
Love the colors.

Geert

[Rex]

WOW! Marco that is the most stunning image I have seen of this area. Fantastic colours and love the dif spikes. :thumbsup:

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter mate. think of all the fun you will have lol. :family2: :family:

[atalas]

Nice work Marco.

[Ross G]

A beautiful photo Marco.

Great colours!

Ross.

[IanP]

Fantastic Marco :thumbsup:, although I'd prefer without spikes .. :P

[MrB]

Congrats on another APOD Marco!
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140903.html

[strongmanmike]

Complete with fake star spikes too :lol: Merry Christmas!

Love your work Marco :thumbsup:

Mike

[Peter Ward]

Well deserved APOD today :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Seconded!

Steve

[SimmoW]

Fantastic effort and end result! Love the Ha data, really adds to the image

[Ross G]

Hello Marco.

Congratulations on your APOD!

Ross.

[marco]

Thanks all for your appreciation! This APOD was a nice unexpected surprise, totally dedicated to my second lovely star, Elisa, that is helping dad to stay up during the night :)

Clear skies to you all :thumbsup:
Marco