NGC 6357 is a diffuse nebula near NGC 6334 in the constellation Scorpius. The nebula contains many proto-stars shielded by dark disks of gas, and young stars wrapped in expanding "cocoons" or expanding gases surrounding these small stars. It is also known as the Lobster Nebula.
This nebula was also given the name War and Peace Nebula by the Midcourse Space Experiment scientists because of its appearance, which, in infrared images the bright, western part resembles a dove, while the eastern part looks like a skull.
It is located about 5500 light years away from Earth.
This is also my first image taken with my new setup gear, Tak FSQ85EDX Astrograph & iOptron IEQ45 Pro mount.
Image were taken from Negev desert Israel on Jun 18-19, 2020, Two nights sessions, Moonless nights.
At first night I had issues with my gear so I started imaging at around Midnight, so I haven`t got much data from this night. At second night everything went smooth so I had all night to gather as much data as possible. The weather and sky condition was very good for both nights, around Bortle 3, had some dust and humidity at first night and no dust and humidity at second night. Overall I`m pleased with the results that I got from this setup considering that it was a first light.
Image details from RGB,Ha,OIII filters:
R- 15X180sec
G- 14X180sec
B- 15X180sec
Ha- 20X600sec
OIII- 9X600sec
All images were at -10*c` on sensor & all Binned 1x1
Total integration time for subs- 7 hours.
Calibration frames, 20 Dark, 100 Bias, 30 flat were added for each filter.
Equipment details:
Mount- iOptron IEQ45 Pro.
Scope- Tak FSQ85EDX.
Camera- Starlight Xpress Trius SX694 mono & SX Filter Wheel Filters- Astrodon 36mm unmounted E series Gen2 RGB,Ha, OIII.
Guider- SX Lodestar x2 & SX OAG.
Power & data control: Pegasus UPBv2.
Focus control: Pegasus stepper motor v2 kit.
Software details:
Camera & mount control- SGP via Ascom
Guiding- PHD2
Sky chart- Stellarium
Mount main control- Gemini via Ascom
Registration, Calibration & stacking images- Maxim DL5
Processing- PS CS6