Also known as IC 2574 it isn't a nebula at all but a galaxy. It is part of the M81 group so about 12 million light years distant. A spiral galaxy with no defined nucleus and only a hint of spiral structure. It's a very faint, and I do mean faint, spiral with some outlying areas of massive star formation. This one is located where I have only a small hole in the trees that protect my observatory from heavy winter snows to shoot it. I knew I'd need many nights as the hole is only a couple hours in size and this object needs many hours to do right. Unfortunately, what with the mostly cloudy nights here this winter that time never materialized. It is now lost for season in those trees so I'm posting what I was able to get. Barely enough luminance data and no where near enough color. There are not many photographs on the net of this guy. Guess its extreme faintness has something to do with it though it is a very interesting active galaxy.

I am puzzled by the blue bubbles. I'd expected those to be HII regions but they came out blue. They are very faint on the red frames. Other HII regions show quite strongly (they are very small) so what the nature of these blue bubbles is I just don't know.

For a full size verson see:
http://www.spacebanter.com/attachmen...tid=1708&stc=1

14" LX200R, L=8x10 binned 2x2, RGB=2x10 binned 3x3, STL-11000XM, Paramount ME

Rick

Attached Images

IC2574LUM8X10-1RGB2X10X3-67.jpg (138.7 KB, 30 views)

Whatever they are, it's still a very beautiful picture.

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If ever I should meet you again, by land or sea,
I will always remember your kindness to me.

Rick,

Very nice shot for the low amount of data you report. I'd never have known you were short on time unless you told us....

I really like the colors, it will be great to see this next year when you get more data.

--Andy

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Observatorio de la Ballona

Sorry to hear of the weather and foilage conspiring against you, this galaxy appears to be an interesting, and colorful subject. A good record shot for now, and maybe next year, you'll be able to add the additional hours.

Many images of galaxies show large unresolved clusters of blue giants, maybe this one also has the same.

Robert

whow! that is a beautiful galaxy and image, Rick.
L=2x2, rgb = 3x3...it must be verrry faint though!

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best regards,
Dietmar
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www.stargazer-observatory.com

A very beautiful and colorful galaxy, the blue hues gives it a touch of beauty. a very unique object in it's class just awesome with fantastic results in your processing. Clear Skies