M45, the Pleiades or Seven Sisters
This open star cluster is accompanied by reflection nebulosity and contains several bright B-type stars known for their bluish glow. The best known are Alcyone, Electra, Maia, Taygeta, Celaeno, Sterope and Merope—the Seven Sisters. Surrounding dust clouds reflect the light of the blue stars, producing a soft bluish radiance.
General information
- Constellation
- Taurus
- Category
- Clusters and stars
- Date
- 18 December 2023
Capture
- Total time
- 5h 20min
- Subframes
- 300s (19xCLS, 15xR, 15xG, 15xB)
- Gain / Offset
- 125 / 30
- Calibration
- 50 dark frames, 50 flat frames, 50 dark-flat frames, without bias frames
Equipment
- Telescope
- TS102 f/5.6
- Camera
- ASI294MM at -10ºC
- Filters
- CLS, R, G, B Astronomik 36mm
- Mount
- HEQ-5 Pro belt drive
- Guiding
- Guide scope 60mm f/4 + ASI224MC + PegasusAstro UCH + PPBMicro with PHD2
- Focuser
- ZWO EAF
- Filter wheel
- ZWO EFW 7pos
Processing and environment
- Processing
- Stacked and post-processed with PixInsight 1.8.9-3
- Acquisition
- NINA
- Location
- l'Ampolla, Tarragona
- Sky
- Bortle 4