M57 - Ring Nebula
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Taken May 25-26, 1998, at the Glenlea Astronomical Observatory, by Chris
Brown
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ST6 CCD camera on the 40cm Evans telescope, effective focal length 6400
mm.
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Field of view 3.0 x 3.5 arc minutes
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North to up, east to the left
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Red filter exposure: 20 minutes
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Green filter exposure: 20 minutes
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Blue filter exposure: 40 minutes
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Final image processing done in WinMIPS
M57 is a planetary nebula, so named because in a small telescope the
disk resembles a planet. The material forming the nebula has been ejected
from the central star and is slowly moving outward. This gas is energized
by the hot central star (notice it is blue in colour) and radiates at a
variety of wavelengths, hence the multiple colours.
You may have to adjust your monitor's brightness and contrast to get
the best view.
This image is a composite of three individual exposures, each taken
through a different coloured filter. The size and structure of the gas
is very different at different wavelengths as is the brightness of the
central star....
Individual exposures through the red, green and
blue filters
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