"This is no Cave" - CG-4 The Giant Space Slug

[joshman]

Like a lumbering leviathan, the giant space slug reaches out in a vain attempt to reclaim the escaping Millennium Falcon.


...at least, that's where the pareidolia of a sci-fi junkie leads when seeing this DSO.



I first saw this DSO in a fantastic image by Logan Carpenter, and I've been trying to get to imaging it for myself since then. Unfortunately the weather last season didn't allow the opportunity, and i had a few other targets on the go. Despite the hurdles, this image remained a priority to capture when it became available.


One thing that really struck me as the images rolled in was how strong the Ha response was for this target. It even appeared to be much stronger than the Luminance channel! Considering the 2 filter have full band-pass overlap, it was quite surprising to see. I guess the extra SNR from the near-double integration time of the Ha helps here!


I've also attached the Ha only channel here for your viewing pleasure.



If the weather ever decides to open up again. I might add a few more hours of LRGB to better my SNR.



Thanks for looking and Clear Skies!



See it on Astrobin! (https://astrob.in/6pw06c/D/)

[Dave882]

That's really cool Josh. Nice framing and great detail and depth throughout.
Man, I loved that Ha image too - like a scene out of a horror flick some kind of monster emerging out of the mist.

[strongmanmike]

Very 3D Josh, such a mystifying object, full of intrigue, the combination of nearby dust and insanely distant galaxies make for a cool matchup.

Great result

Mike

[TrevorW]

Reminds me more of a Shai-Hulud from Dune :)

[Startrek]

Josh,
Another spectacular rarely imaged object
Ha is unbelievable
Well done !!
Martin

[joshman]

Thanks Dave! I wonder what other interstellar monsters are lurking out there?
The strength of the Ha was definitely a great surprise! Even the single subs have a great Ha response. Though it did make a little challenging to mix in and not drown out the RGB.





Thanks Mike! This is such a nice target to shoot, though seemingly dim in the RGB channels. I was a little worried about the wider FOV for this target, but I'm really glad I stayed the course; the extra context just adds to the mystery:question:
I think I'll be revisiting this target with a much longer focal length... Once i have some.



That thought did cross my mind... but TESB holds a more prominent place in the Sci-Fi punch bowl.



Thanks Martin! Now that I actually go looking, this one definitely doesn't seem to be imaged all that much. I really thought that it was kind of "known"

[Ryderscope]

I support your pareidolia Josh, a fiery rendition of this classic view. Brings together a number of elements with an interesting field and a captivating view. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

[Nikolas]

Great wider image Josh, Logan inspired mine (https://www.astrobin.com/dhyzqi/B/)as well


The area is mostly HA hence the really strong signal, great work

[joshman]

Thanks Rodney! The entire area around my FOV is really interesting as well and I'm really hoping that the weather plays along to let me capture some more of this fascinating region!




Thank Nik! I remember seeing your image as well. I think your image really sold me on the amount of Ha present in the field and pushed me to go deep on it!