M17 Swan Nebula

DETAILS: Imaged with the LX200 10" f6.3 FR CFW-8 and ST-10XME, guided by an AO-7. Hot and cold pixel removal, alignment and color combine in MaxIm DL. LRGB 60:15:15:21. There are two M17 images presented, one with SGBNR, a gaussian blur noise reduction program applied.

COMMENTARY: M17, the Swan or Omega Nebula is located in the Constellation Sagittarius at a distance of 4,890 light-years. It is a combination of a star cluster and an emission nebula, and with the exception of M42 (The Great Orion Nebula) is the brightest such nebula for observers in northern latitudes. It 6th magnitude and can be seen with the naked-eye in dark sky conditions. The open cluster of stars number about thirty-five from 9th magnitude or fainter. The bar of glowing gas making up the "bar" of the Swan's body spans about 12 light-years. It is another magnificent imaging target.