Thackeray's Globules in IC2944

 Download Full Resolution (2560x1647) 221KB 19,232

Thackeray's Globules in IC2944

[Public Domain] 11 May 2022 Dylan O'Donnell
CATEGORY : Astrophotography
19,233 others viewed this post.

Deep inside the Chicken (IC 2944) are these dark spots called Bok globules which is a strange name to me because they aren’t always round (or globular) at all. The dark dust and gas are carved out from their surroundings as new stars form around them before they themselves are amalgamated into existing or new stars. NASA writes “globules may actually be likened to clumps of butter put onto a red-hot pan.” and the largest clump in this image is actually two apparently overlapping clouds which I’ve been able to resolve if you look closely. I have a behind the scenes video for how this was captured below :

Celestron 11″ Edge HD F7 1960mm
Sky-Watcher EQ8Rh-Pro Mount
QHY268M Cooled CMOS Camera
69 x 180s Ha
13 x 180 OIII
Combined as Ha/Ha/O[III]/O[III]

 Download Full Resolution (2560x1647) 221KB