Brunhilde and the Hereford. RCW 57

[Placidus]

A pretty bright star-forming region in south-east Carina, part of RCW 57. We took this over the two nights immediately following full moon.

The left hand half of the image shows open cluster NGC 3603, presumably providing the UV illumination for the OIII-filled cave below it.

The right hand half provides a wealth of material for those who would see animal shapes. The NGC catalogues this region as including 3576, 79, 82, 84, and 86, but these don't seem to correspond to the zoo. Bottom right shows a totally convincing Hereford cow, celestial hoofer, dancing on back legs. Hereford because of the curly forehead. Notice the distended vein (dust lane) passing diagonally across the forehead, eye, and cheek. Middle right is elsewhere described as a "torchbearer", though Trish sees this region as Brunhilde at the opera, and it ain't over till she sings. On top of Brunhilde's head is a black leopard, howling. Arching magnificently over the entire top right is a plausible canopy for a covered wagon, skilfully constructed in 3D from interlacing shock fronts, strong in H-alpha (and SII if you expose long enough).

Green: H-alpha 3hrs; Blue: OIII 5hrs. Red: SII 4hrs, all 1hr subs. Aspen CG16M on 20" PlaneWave. Field 36'arc, North up. RA 11:28:50, Dec -62:45:30

Big one (2.5MB) here. (http://www.mikeberthonjones.smugmug.com/Category/Star-Forming-Regions/i-kNHG56D/0/O/RCW%2057%20Ha%203%20OIII%205%20SII% 204hrs.jpg)

[jase]

Wow, uber details from a long focal length makes this an exquisite image. The Statue of Liberty up close and personal. Nicely done M&T. Got to be happy with that. :thumbsup:

[alpal]

Hi Mike n Trish,
The stars are so tiny & there's more detail there than I've seen before.
That's a wonderful picture.

cheers
Allan

[Geoff45]

Superb picture M&T. Lots of intricate detail and the colours look good.
Geoff

[Placidus]

Thanks, Jason. We'd photographed just the right hand side last year with an SBIG 11000M, but the field was too small to get the whole thing. The Aspen seems to have better signal to noise ratio also.



Thanks, Allan!




Thanks muchly, Geoff. The red is always a challenge in areas without much past supernova activity, such as the left hand half of the image.

Best, M&T

[gregbradley]

Lots of detail there. As pointed out the Statue Of Liberty section is extremely detailed.

Greg.

[RickS]

Fantastic details, M&T!

[Placidus]

Fred kindly pointed out a red-purple cast in the background. We think some of the blue in the bottom left corner might have been moonlight, but suspect that the red-magenta in the centre is real. Here's a thumbnail version where we've carefully set the black point, and also increased contrast in the blue channel. We've done a touch of PhotoShop burn tool to restore contrast in the very brightest areas. We'd like to know if you think this is an improvement (in which case we'll update the as-yet untouched big version), or if its bordering on overprocessing.

Earlier ...



Thanks, Greg!



Cheers, Rick. Glad you like it.

[Stevec35]

Nice job on this one Mike and Trish - the detail is great. NB colour is your choice of course but I would tone the green down marginally.

Cheers

Steve

[strongmanmike]

I've decided not to comment about the colour schemes presented in your narrowband images, you continually illustrate how irrelevant that part really is :)...instead, I enjoy the grand scale and high level of details, so another great T&MBJ image as far as I am concerned :thumbsup:

Mike

[DrWho]

Haven't seen such a detailed statue, well done T&M :thumbsup:

[Rex]

Wow, love the detail you have achieved here Mike & Trish. I could spend ages just staring at all the dust formations, and as has been mentioned previously, very tight stars. (something I really struggle with in my images). Great image, one I would be very proud of.

[Placidus]

Thanks, Steve. Green and gold rules.



Yippee! Thanks, Mike!



Thank you Doc.



Many thanks, Rex. We noticed our stars started to get a lot tighter when we did two things: refocus once an hour, and add a stabilizer strut to stop the camera wobbling in the focuser tube.

[marc4darkskies]

Superb Mike & Trish!

Cheers, Marcus

[Placidus]

Thanks, Marcus.

[rustigsmed]

spectacular region and capture M&T,
so much going on there!

Russ

[Ross G]

What a beautiful photo Mike & Trish.

Amazing detail and I love the composition.

Ross.

[Placidus]

Thanks, Russell, glad you like it.



Cheers, Ross. T'was a squeeze!