Ngc6441

[cometcatcher]

Processing some data from a couple of weeks ago.

"The cluster NGC6441 is located 5 arc minutes east-northeast of the star G Scorpii, and is some 44,000 light years from the Sun. ...This is one of the most massive and luminous globular clusters in the Milky Way, with an estimated 1.6 million solar masses of stars."

Still a hard target being small and faint. I tried to process it gently. Might need some more work yet. GSO 10" F4 Newtonian, 165 x 30 seconds, Canon 1100Dfs, HEQ5 Pro unguided.

Full field at Astrobin ---> https://astrob.in/357356/0/

[Paul Haese]

Such a huge cluster but so far away. Nice colour and resolution Kevin.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Paul. Yes until I looked it up I had no idea how massive it was. Must be an incredible sight up close.

[Placidus]

Near and far with that bright star!

A very difficult target well captured.

Was it the difficulty or the remoteness or the contrast or something else that drew you to it?

[cometcatcher]

Can't remember now. Probably due to the proximity to G Scorpii. I've been imaging this thing since the 1990's. The last film image through my home built 8" F8.8 Newtonian. I guess I use it as an equipment test.

[RickS]

That's an interesting and challenging target, Kevin!