Boomerang Nebula, the coolest place in the Universe

[tornado33]

Hi all
Heres an image of the Boomerang Nebula in Centaurus. Taken last Sat night with my 10 inch f5.6 Newtonian and Hutech modded 350D camera. Ive included a full frame view and a full resolution crop.

5x10 mins ISO200. UV/IR filter, Baader MPCC coma corrector. Hand off axis guided with Q guider cam as usual.

This is an odd protoplanetary nebula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_Nebula
Its actually colder than the cosmic background
Another article here
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/Pr_1_2003_h_en.html
Its an odd colour too, a yellow white, seeimgly more broadband emission than emission line, hence I didnt use a nebula filter only the uv/ir filter.
Its small and faint, would be a good visual challenge for the big dob users.
Scott

[jase]

Awesome work on this tough target Scott. I've heard of it before, but never thought of imaging it. Thanks for sharing this obscure little nebula. Well done.

[seeker372011]

small and faint allright..nice job on the colours

[Ric]

Excellent work Scott, from what I read it certainly is faint and challenging.

You've done a great job in capturing this DSO.

[skeltz]

Good job scott,colours and everything look spot on ..and well done for showing us something of the beaten track.
cheers

[tornado33]

Thanks all, happy to share the more obscure stuff like this.
Scott

[glenc]

Thanks Scott, a great image and a very interesting object.

[GrahamL]

great stuff Scott..must be faint alright my charts don't show anything there...bit of an ask in a 12" glen ?

[peeb61]

Great work Scott!! Just were are you getting this good weather from?
We have had nothing but heavy wind when its clear and clouds when its not!!

I will check this one out when it does clear.

Keep em coming.
Paul

[glenc]

Yes Graham it seems faint, about mag 14.4. Its coords are RA = 12:44:45.4, DEC = -54:31:11.3 according to the ESO. Go 2.7 deg from delta Cru to gamma Cru and about the same distance again. See: http://server2.sky-map.org/starview?object_type=2&object_id=8142
Guide 8 shows it as GN 12.41.9 and it is 3.22 deg from gamma Cru in pa 38.

[glenc]

I printed a map of the Boomerang neb area with a 1 degree field yesterday. It was clear and cold here last night so I had a go at seeing it at 7pm with the 12" Dob. Started with a 21mm EP and UHC filter and could only just see it. Put an 8mm in with no filter and it was easier, although looking at the map with a faint red LED torch didn't help. Waited a while took a deep breath and it was visible without averted vision but very small. I just checked Scott's image and it was definitely it, I could see both of the stars (mag 13.8 and 15.1 according to Guide) next to it. I think the mag 15.1 star (GSC 8651290) is brighter than that.

[glenc]

This map of Crux is from SkyMapPro for 7pm here, the arrow points to the Boomerang.

[Kal]

Great image, and a fascinating read on the object. I've never heard of this one before, very interesting!

[war bird]

nice one,l like the not so comon ones.

[bluescope]

Difficult little sucker to nail ... well done !

:thumbsup:

[tornado33]

Thanks
Yes I thought it might be easier to see without a filter, as it seems quite white in colour and must be broadband emission
Scott