IC 443 Widefield
Characteristics:
Magnitude: Approximately 12.0
Size: 50'
Distance: 5000 light years
RA: 6h 17m 49s
Dec: 22 degrees 49' 00"
Description:
IC443 is a beautiful supernova remnant in the constellation Gemini,
produced by a supernova explosion thought to have occurred about 30,000
years ago. X-ray
emissions
are produced by a neutron star hidden deep within the nebula, which is
all
that remains of the original star. The neutron star is highly
dense
and rapidly rotating, representing the end stage of a star with between
1.4
and 3 solar masses. In addition to hydrogen, the nebula is
comprised of other more complex elements such as oxygen, silicon,
carbon, and iron, which were created during the star's lifetime through
nuclear fusion .
These elements may someday become part of a solar system that
could support life.
Photographic Details:
Date: December 23 and 24, 2006.
Scope: Takahashi
FSQ106, on the G11 Losmandy
Mount.
Autoguider: SBIG STV with
e-finder.
Camera: SBIG STL11000M, -20C
Filter: Astronomik
RGB filters; Baader 7nm Ha filter.
Exposures (unbinned): 19 x 20'
Ha (6.3 hour Ha exposure over 2 nights); 12 x 5'
R; 12 x 5' G; 15 x 8' B (4 hour RGB exposure). Total exposure
10.3 hours.
Conditions: Unseasonably warm and
comfortable.
Post-processing: Calibrated,
aligned, and Sigma Clip combined in MaximDL, followed by
DDP
in ImagesPlus (IP). Subsequent processing in Photoshop CS (16
bit format). The RGB was processed first, and then Ha was added
back to the R, G, B channels using lighten mode in the following
percentages: 100% Ha (Red), 7% Ha (Green), 15% Ha (Blue). Halos
caused
by the STL11K coverslip were removed individually in PS. Final
color and detail adjusted using the Selective Color tool in PS.
Please
note: Graphics on this website
may not be reproduced without author permission.
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