I've always wanted to see what that bright patch of sky between Scorpius and the pointers contains, so here it is...
25 degrees of arc with alpha centauri (the very bright white star) at the very edge at the right of the picture.
First pic: The Norma star cloud is in the centre and Scorpio is out of shot to the left of frame.
Second pic: closer look near centre left.
North is up.
Subject: Milky Way - Norma Star Cloud
Lens: Canon 50mm EF II f1.8 @f6.3
Exposure: 29x2mins 1600 ISO
Camera: Canon 350D unmod
Mount: Meade LXD-75 autoguided
Full widefield is available by
clicking here (550 KB)