Gas and stars of another Universe

[marco (Marco Lorenzi)]

Hi all, after a long break I managed to upload a couple of images I took with my setup in Coona. Both are aimed on the SMC, one HaOIIILRGB composition centered left of the nebular group know as the "magnificent seven", an amazing area rich of HII and O3 emissions that includes NGC456, NGC460 and NGC465. On particular interest are the emission nebula (Henize) N-89 and the very faint but large ring of N-90. Radiation and shock waves from the stars have pushed away much of the lighter surrounding gas and dust that compose N90, and this in turn has triggered new star formation in the ridges (or "elephant trunks") of the nebula. Also the young and bright open cluster NGC 602 is in the field of view. The link:

Ring of Ice and Fire in SMC

This image, opportunely scaled and processed was than stitched with the image of the core of the SMC previously released to compose a two panel mosaic imaging a vast area of the SMC Nebular complex:

Gas and stars of another Universe

This mosaic combine a total of 46 hours of light through 5 filters. I had to reduce the total size to keep the image manageable on an internet browser but still the view at full resolution is to me quite impressive. At the end this is an unusual view of the SMC that I hope will be appreciated.

Clear skies
Marco

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Oh dear...that's so good and looks so cool look at all that Hydrogen and all those cool structures ....all I can do is laugh .........

Mike
no point in pointing out the perfection as it is bloody obvious

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

!!!

Now that's out of the way.

Remarkable level of detail Marco!

One thing that intrigues me with SMC and LMC nebula is the limited colour variations in the reds and blues.

Cheers,

Justin.

[astroron (Ron)]

Cool pics, but another Universe
Galaxy maybe.

Cheers

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Yet another fantastic image Marco, thanks for the view! This looks really good in terms of level of detail and the colours are great too.
It's interesting how the 'bubble' like structures are so prominent in the LMC/SMC, I guess these structures become easier to recognise because of our vantage point here from such a long distance away. When looking into our own Milky Way there are so many bright and dark nebulae that overlap at different scales that the overall large-scale structures are perhaps no so visible. Maybe Barnard's Loop is an analogue to some of these bubble shaped nebulae?

[PeterM]

Man you are good, an Astro artist.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Excellent shots Marco. For a sec I though it was the cat paws area.

[petershah (Peter Shah)]

just an amazing sight....stunning image

[gregbradley]

Great images Marco.

Gee you really collect the hours. That must be the deepest amateur image of that area.

Greg.

[RickS (Rick)]

Great images, Marco! A very different look at an old friend.

[dvj (John)]

Marco, you are in the elite group of imager's who knows how to do color very well.

jg

[jase (Jason)]

Stunning work Marco. The contrast between the Ha bubbles and OIII areas is striking. Love the FoV the two panel mosaic delivers too even if an odd composition leaving the viewer for more. A real eye catching image. Good stuff.

[marco (Marco Lorenzi)]

Originally Posted by jase

Stunning work Marco. The contrast between the Ha bubbles and OIII areas is striking. Love the FoV the two panel mosaic delivers too even if an odd composition leaving the viewer for more. A real eye catching image. Good stuff.

Thanks Jase, actually I thought to make a large mosaic of the area but eventually gave up, too much work and still several issues on my setup to collect enough light during these shorter summer nights, so I ended up stitching what I had already imaged

Originally Posted by dvj

Marco, you are in the elite group of imager's who knows how to do color very well.

jg

thanks John, not sure I deserve the accolade but appreciate

Originally Posted by RickS

Great images, Marco! A very different look at an old friend.

Thanks Rick, happy you liked it!

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Great images Marco.

Gee you really collect the hours. That must be the deepest amateur image of that area.

Greg.

Thanks Greg, the automated observatory helps a lot in that, when it works () can really collect photons tirelessly

Originally Posted by petershah

just an amazing sight....stunning image

Thanks Peter!

Originally Posted by multiweb

Excellent shots Marco. For a sec I though it was the cat paws area.

Thanks Marc, when there is enough exposure this area really pops of HII and OIII areas!

Originally Posted by PeterM

Man you are good, an Astro artist.

Thanks Peter

Originally Posted by SkyViking

Yet another fantastic image Marco, thanks for the view! This looks really good in terms of level of detail and the colours are great too.
It's interesting how the 'bubble' like structures are so prominent in the LMC/SMC, I guess these structures become easier to recognise because of our vantage point here from such a long distance away. When looking into our own Milky Way there are so many bright and dark nebulae that overlap at different scales that the overall large-scale structures are perhaps no so visible. Maybe Barnard's Loop is an analogue to some of these bubble shaped nebulae?

Thanks Rolf, I also agree with your comment, I was thinking the same, we have a very good perspective on the SMC/SMC, they are not too close yet not too far so all these bubbles looks gorgeous also on small instruments!

Originally Posted by astroron

Cool pics, but another Universe
Galaxy maybe.

Cheers

Hehe, thanks Ron and yes, you are right, I abused the terms.. lets' call it poetic licence

Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne

!!!

Now that's out of the way.

Remarkable level of detail Marco!

One thing that intrigues me with SMC and LMC nebula is the limited colour variations in the reds and blues.

Cheers,

Justin.

Thanks Justin, glad you liked it!

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Oh dear...that's so good and looks so cool look at all that Hydrogen and all those cool structures ....all I can do is laugh .........

Mike
no point in pointing out the perfection as it is bloody obvious

Thanks Mike, happy you liked this one, in fact there are some defects here and there but possibly you didn't notice this time

Clear skies
Marco

[Meru (Michael)]

Fantastic work Marco, images like these is what keeps pushing me along beautiful

[marco (Marco Lorenzi)]

Thanks Meru for the appreciation
Regards
Marco

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Just magical Marco! I love the contrast between the red Ha & blue OIII hues. The composition is marvelous! The processing is spot on!

Cheers, Marcus

[Leonardo70 (Leonardo Orazi)]

Congrats Marco, Amazing images.

All the best,
Leo

[dutch2 (Ingrid)]

Just amazing, Marco.
Awesome images.

[Ross G]

A beautiful photo Marco.

Stunning colour and detail.

Love the composition.

Ross.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Excellent image Marco! Really like the bottom left part. The soft blue's and red's are brilliant!

Erik