M52 - An Open Cluster

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Also known as NGC 7654, this open cluster contains 193 stars, and is 5000 light years away (apparent size 13 arc-min) in the constellation of Cassiopeia.  It is 35 million years old.

The image below is a wide field image that has the M52 Open Cluster in the upper left, and the Bubble emission nebula in the lower right.

The image above was taken with the ST-8E camera at f/5 on the FSQ 106N and AP900 from Mistletoe Observatory in Monmouth Oregon Sept 6, 2008.  It is an RGB composite (as detailed below) with a total exposure time of 90 min.  Calibration and alignment were done in MaxIm DL.  Final processing was done with Photoshop.  This data was collected "hands free" with an automation script.   I basically set up the shot, and then went to bed.  Focusing was done every 30 min.  Calibration frames were taken at the end.  And the observatory was put to bed and shut down automatically.

Filter

Exposure Count Binning
Red 30 min 30 x 1 min 1x1
Green 20 min 20 x 1 min 1x1
Blue 40 min 40 x 1 min 1x1