by Craig and Tammy Temple
One of the finest examples of a planetary nebula, the Ring Nebula is a favorite target of amateur astronomers. Even though it is only magnitude 9.5, M57's surface brightness is concentrated in a small (1.7') area making it easy to see. Located almost exactly half-way between Beta & Gamma Lyrae in the constellation Lyra, The Ring is also fairly easy to locate. This image is cropped to 50% it's original size.
Telescope: 10” Orion Newtonian at f/4.7
Accessories: Baader MPCC
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66
Camera: Self-modified Canon Digital Rebel XT
Filters: Astronomik UV/IR EOS Clip; 2” Hutech IDAS LPS
Exposure: Best 56/92 x various (90s & 120s) @ ISO 800 (100 Min.)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 – Calibrated, registered, Sigma-clipped averaged, DDP
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja
Date(s): July 8 & 13, 2009
Temperature(s): 78ºF, 76ºF