Three Clusters

M34

M35 & NGC 2158

M38 & NGC 1907

Last Thursday, I was able to get out and capture three different star clusters in the Messier catalog.  The first, M34, is one of the looser clusters in the Messier list.  Can you picture the gorilla in the center?  The next two, M35 and M38 are both rich in stars and feature companion clusters listed in the NGC.   It's stunning to see so many stars in one view.  Imagine all the companion planets that could be circling these distant suns!

Photo Details
M34
February 27, 2014
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
Nikon D3100 Camera - ISO 1600
Coma Corrector & Skyglow filter
Autoguider
9 sub-frames at 1.5 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 13.5 minutes
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop

M35 & NGC 2158
February 27, 2014
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
Nikon D3100 Camera - ISO 1600
Coma Corrector & Skyglow filter
Autoguider
40 sub-frames at 1.5 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 1 hour
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop

M38 & NGC 1907
February 27, 2014
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
Nikon D3100 Camera - ISO 1600
Coma Corrector & Skyglow filter
Autoguider
22 sub-frames at 1.5 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 33 minutes
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop