Corona Australis Molecular Cloud

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

The constellation Corona Australis is a fascinating region of the night sky, containing stellar objects that are at the extremes of age and distance. These include one of the closest star forming regions to the Solar System – a dusty dark nebula known as the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud. Lying at a distance of 430 light years, the Cloud is populated by protostars at the very beginning of their stellar life cycle, as well as several blue reflection nebulae. Nearby (and towards the bottom left of the image) is the globular cluster NGC6723, with an estimated age of 13.05 billion years. Also within the field of view are numerous distant background galaxies (identified in the attached annotated image with their “PGC” catalogue numbers).

Image details:
Telescope: Sharpstar 13028HNT (focal length = 364mm @ f2.8 )
Camera: QHY533C, 383 x 2min
Mount: NEQ6
Filter: Optolong UV-IR cut

Total exposure time = 12.76 hours. Image data collected July 16-17. Captured with NINA. Processed with Pixinsight

Hi res here: https://www.astrobin.com/grev37/

[Dave882 (David)]

That’s a lovely image! I really like the natural colour and feel to those dusty areas. Beautiful!

[Mickoid (Michael)]

Fantastic result Richard. A great selection of objects to find within the field. Love the spiral galaxy tucked away in the bottom right of the frame. The Astrobin version posted shows off the fine definition you've captured. Nicely done!

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

Thanks David and Michael, appreciate the comments.

Have to say though, it does seem like it's a tough crowd here in the IIS Deep Space forum these days. Is there a special handshake required to get engagement ? Comment and constructive criticism were both welcomed and much more frequent when I was posting here regularly 6-7 years ago, but now it's crickets and tumbleweed on most threads. Not very motivating or helpful if you're looking to improve or just get some feedback.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Nice subtle colouring and dusty looking dust in that image Richard, in the densest part, it feels like I could reach out and grab a handful.

Mike

[petershah (Peter Shah)]

Just beautiful....one day I might get the chance to image this part of the sky...you have don a real honest job, no frills very natural...great work

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

Thanks Mike and Peter, am trying to 'keep it real' so to speak with the processing (although now I'm second guessing myself wondering if it's TOO "natural" ie does saturation and contrast need to be pushed a touch harder...)

Agree Peter that it is a beautiful part of the night sky, and I am very fortunate that it actually passes through the zenith (or close enough) from my imaging location. Has been the perfect time of year for this target too with almost equal imaging time available on either side of the meridian.

[petershah (Peter Shah)]

Originally Posted by rmuhlack

Thanks Mike and Peter, am trying to 'keep it real' so to speak with the processing (although now I'm second guessing myself wondering if it's TOO "natural" ie does saturation and contrast need to be pushed a touch harder...)

Agree Peter that it is a beautiful part of the night sky, and I am very fortunate that it actually passes through the zenith (or close enough) from my imaging location. Has been the perfect time of year for this target too with almost equal imaging time available on either side of the meridian.

Saturation is really down to how you like it....getting good contrast without clipping the shadows or highlights but still showing key detail to me is important, then the saturation will happen without too much effort. There's a fine balance between what looks washed out and flat to something that has been hit by a sledgehammer....

[Dave882 (David)]

That’s just lovely. Obviously the processing is down to the individual, but for me, it’s got a true natural beauty and I wouldn’t change a thing. Congrats on a wonderful image!!