Fierce dragon in Vela

[Placidus]

This is a smallish (36' arc) and not especially bright part of the central Vela SNR, near open cluster Pismis 4. It is much fainter than the Pencil nebula, but perhaps rather more interesting.

Big one here (www.mikeberthonjones.smugmug.com/Category/Supernova-Remnants/i-PNRQSML/0/O/Pismis%204%20and%20SNR%20Dragon%20H a%205%20OIII%2010%20SII%209.jpg)


Total exposure 24 hrs. Green: H-alpha 5 hrs; Blue: OIII 10 hrs; Red: SII 9hrs, all in 1hr unbinned subs. Aspen CG16M at -30C on 20" PlaneWave CDK.


The brightest star is the eye of a fierce yellow dragon, leathery wings filling most of the frame, blue flames trailing the body toward top right.

This image was pleasing to us because of the relatively rich and abundant SII, as would be typical of a supernova remnant. OIII on the other hand was very weak and largely confined to a single diagonal streak.

Notice also the roiling, boiling, bubbling blister-like texture through most of the top half of the image - big badda-boom!

This seems to be a rarely visited part of the sky. You might therefore like to compare with an LRGB version (http://astrodonimaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/Pismis4Web6.jpg) by Don Goldman.

Best,
Mike and Trish

[topheart]

Awesome rendition - the best framing of this, I have seen!
Congratulations M+T !
Cheers,
Tim

[rustigsmed]

Very awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[RickS]

Finally an object that looks like the description despite my pareidolia deficiency :) A great composition, M&T!

[multiweb]

Those stars are so tiny and the details so intricate. Very cool shot. :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Very nice indeed! The dragon is totally obvious.

Cheers

Steve

[Regulus]

Nice composition guys, and I like the colour choice.
An excellent image.

Trev

[Placidus]

Thanks, Tim, that's very encouraging.



Cheers, Russell. Glad you like it!



Thanks Rick. Had to look up pareidolia again.



Thanks Marc!



Hi, Steve. This one reminds me strongly of a painting of a dragon by the Japanese artist Taikan that I saw when I was about 10. Never been able to find it again, even though he's famous. Perhaps this is it.



Cheers, Trev. The dragon helped out with the colour by having lots of sulphur on its breath.

[Atmos]

Wonderful image MnT, nicely captured and wonderfully processed :)

[Bassnut]

wow, excellent, never seen this before, tight sharp and clean, top work!.

[strongmanmike]

As soon as I saw this image I thought...now..I've seeen this before...? and then it twigged! yep knew it :D Bottom right corner of THIS (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141333826/original) image, ah ha! :thumbsup:

Your rendition shows it in great detail of course, excellent! This area of sky could keep you guys busy for years! :thumbsup:

I see the dragon too, very cool.

Mike

[Placidus]

Thanks Colin!



Cheers, Fred. Glad to be able to surprise.



Yes, there it is in your image! Well spotted. Nice to see it in a wider context.

Best,
MnT

[Ryderscope]

That's wonderful MnT. 'Tis certainly a dragon with a twinkling eye. Lovely detail and colour rendition.

[Placidus]

Thanks muchly, Rodney!

[gregbradley]

Delicate and pretty. Vela is a source of wonder in the southern skies for sure. Perhaps our best night sky object.

I have usually concentrated on widefield mosaics of this area so this is a refreshingly creative shot picking out a small section and highlighting it.

Very good. My favourite part of the sky.

Greg.

[Placidus]

Thanks Greg, that's kind.