[bloodhound31]

NGC 3603 (bottom cloud) is an open cluster of stars situated in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way around 20,000 light-years away from our solar system. and is surrounded by the most massive visible cloud of glowing gas and plasma known as a H II region in the Milky Way.

NGC 3576 (top cloud) is a minor nebula in the Sagittarius arm of the galaxy a few thousand light-years away from the Eta Carinae nebula. It is much closer and smaller than the distant 3603.

Photo taken last night 16th Feb 2010.

16 x ten minute sub-exposures combined with darks and flats calibration in MaxIm DL Essentials. Levels and curves in Photoshop Elements 6.

Camera: Orion Starshoot Pro III CCD Color
Telescope: Skywatcher Black Diamond 120mm APO refractor
Mount: EQ6 Pro.

Baz.