by Craig and Tammy Temple
M50 is an open cluster in the constellation Monoceros. It is sometimes referred to as the Heart-shaped cluster. Charles Messier identified this as object number 50 in his famous database in 1772. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.90.
Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8” f/4 Newtonian
Accessories: Baader MPCC
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified
Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip
Exposure: 46 x 120s @ ISO 400 (1hr. 32min.)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.80b Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a – Calibrated, registered, Min-Max excluded average, DDP
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja,
Date(s): February 10, 2010
Temperature(s): 29ºF
SQM reading (begin - end): 18.98 - 18.96