M7 Ptolemy Cluster (& a cast of billions)

[Dave882 (David)]

This is an incredibly busy region in Scorpius, and to be honest I'm not sure which is more interesting: the actual open cluster M7, the zillions of stars that create an incredible backdrop, or some intriguing dusty tendrils snaking through the view. I had a hard time deciding how to present all that together but hopefully have struck a pleasing balance!

Comments, critique welcome. Once again the IIS version doesn't do it any justice so the link is highly recommended.

Zoomable high res version...

120x60sec, Bin1, Gain0
C14 Hyperstar f1.9
Eq8 pro
ASI2600mc (no filter - no moon)
Guiding with guide scope & asi290mm
ASIAIR pro
APP & PI

Thanks for dropping by!

[TrevorW]

Amazing just what can be captured in 2hrs of data but that F ration helps

[Startrek (Martin)]

Dave,
Again a delightful image of a wonderful cluster which is rarely posted
Well done !!

After I built my new 8” Carbon newt back in May I used M7 as a test object for focus , collimation and diffraction spikes etc..
Little did I realise how beautiful and amazing this part of the sky is being immersed in a zillion stars

My Astrobin link ….,

https://www.astrobin.com/aihe3n/

I’m definitely going to image it again
I used 30 sec subs on Gain 100
About 30 mins of data
Cheers
Martin

[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

Fabulous result, David. Great star colours and the cluster pops out from the background stars and dark lanes.

[petershah (Peter Shah)]

beautiful

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Holy Ptolemy Batman! look at all them staaars

Lovely

Mike

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks guys I appreciate your kind words! I’m definitely not not gunna be able to challenge you frac & newt experts but hey I’m having fun!! There’s so many random stellar views around Sagittarius at this kind of fl.

Martin I forgot about that beautiful shot of yours…made me do a repro cause I realised I lost all the blue in some of those stars even though my histogram was looking ok I might actually drop the exposure to 30sec. Although I didn’t do a comparison, I suspect 0-gain may be an advantage for the higher dynamic range (at least with my setup) otherwise I’ll end up with hundreds of subs