A famous and exquisite region in SE Carina. A grand total of 31 hours of exposure. A family show, with something for everyone.
Big one [2.5MB] here
Many see the Statue of Liberty in the right-hand half of the image. We see a very well-fed opera singer (it ain't over even if she sings), aboard a covered wagon (roofed with multiple sets of grand arching canvas hoops in rainbow colours), drawn not by a water buffalo but by a dancing Hereford cow, complete with classical curly forehead. On Brunhilda's shoulder is a big black howling hound-dawg. NGC 3581 comprises the Hereford's nose.
The great hoops of the wagon-roof are presumably shock fronts from multiple powerful supernova explosions, although there is no obvious parental open cluster unambiguously responsible.
The cow is very happy. It is dancing, standing on its right hind hoof, which is outlined by a set of several small arcing shocks. NGC 3576 forms the extended, risque can-can left hoof, and 3586 forms the cow's right fore-leg.
There are many other small to medium generally arcuate shock fronts in the area, suggesting much ongoing violent activity.
There is also a goodly supply of Bok globules to be found in this area, and right at the very top are some lovely meandering, branching dust lanes.
The left hand half of the image is powered by very obvious open cluster NGC 3603, making the immediate surrounds bright blue with OIII emission.
We put several nights into collecting enough [OIII] and [SII] to show the related shock fronts without too much grittiness.
Field of view approx 35 min arc. Red: [SII] 15 hrs, Green: H-alpha 4hrs, Blue: [OIII] 12 hrs. Aspen CG16M at -25C on 20" PlaneWave. All processing using our own GoodLook 64.
Please have fun hunting around to find the many more small furry animals and other interesting features.
Best,
M n T