For visual observers lies relative close to M4; almost 1 degree, however it is three times farther away. Because of the relative proximity to Super Giant Star Antares, NGC 6144 is not often imaged with larger focal lengths. The optics reflections generated by the star are very hard to remove. The yellow dusty cloud that surrounds the region are shedding material coming from the mentioned dying star. Those particles are washing out the stellar colors giving the image a subtle monochromatic appearance.
The image was taken with an 8” OOUK Newtonian and a QSI 583 WS CCD riding in a SW NEQ6 110 km north to Buenos Aires Argentina. Total integration time 2 hours 30 minutes.
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