Observation by Martin Butcher: Melotte 20 - The Alpha Persei Cluster (2...

Uploaded by

Stuart Morris

Observer

Martin Butcher

Observed

2009 Aug 05 - 23:54

Uploaded

2021 Mar 27 - 12:21

Objects

The Alpha Persei Cluster (Melotte 20)
NGC1647
Collinder 39

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Constellation

Perseus

Field centre

RA: 03^h36^m
Dec: +48°47'
Position angle: +1°11'

Field size

6°20' × 4°16'

Equipment

Meade LX-90 8" telescope fitted to its field tripod by an equatorial wedge.
LX-90 Periodic Error Correction enabled.
Dew Removal straps fitted to telescope and camera lens
Telescope and camera powered by Mains Power.
Stock Canon 40D with 200mm f/2.8 lens stopped down to f/4
Telescope driven but unguided

Exposure

Twenty sub-exposures each 10 seconds taken at ISO800

Location

Isle of Colonsay

Target name

Melotte 20

Title

Melotte 20 - The Alpha Persei Cluster (2)

About this image

Melotte 20, The Alpha Persei Cluster, also known as Collinder 39, is an open cluster of stars in the northern constellation of Perseus.

Equipment used:- Stock Canon 40D with 200mm f/2.8 lens stopped down to f/4 mounted piggy-back on Meade LX-90 8" telescope fitted to its field tripod by an equatorial wedge. Telescope polar aligned. LX-90 Periodic Error Correction enabled. Telescope driven but unguided. Telescope and camera powered by Mains Power.

Exposure details:- Twenty sub-exposures each 10 seconds taken at ISO800. Ambient temperature 12 degrees Celsius.

Processing details:- All 20 sub-exposures calibrated with Dark, Flat-field and Bias Master frames before being combined in Images Plus. Image then further processed in Photoshop CS3 and Noise Ninja. North is at the top. Image field of view 6.3 degrees x 4.2 degrees.

Narrative description:- Fifteen days after New Moon (ie Full Moon). Breeze from south therefore telescope set up to north of house. Generally clear sky with occasional light clouds. Alpha Persei (Mirphak) towards the upper right corner of the field of view.

Files associated with this observation

MButcherMelotte 20-5 Aug 09.jpg (615.2 kB)

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