The Cocoon Nebula - IC5146
Apogee U16M w Astrodon Gen II RGB filter set
Takahashi FSQ F/5 Fluorite Refractor w Robofocus
on a Paramount ME guided with an ST-402 and eFinder
5 x 5 min RGB
Acquired with CCDSoft5
Darks, Flats, Alignment and Sigma Reject combine in Maxim
Colour combines done in PS CS4
Levels and curves in PS CS4
No sharpening
No noise reduction
Click on the image to see it at 2x this size.
This popular target for astro-imagers is shown here in a very widefield depiction. Note the dust lane running upward from the nebula. IC5146 is actually the designation of the open cluster associated with the nebula but the stars of the open cluster, embedded in the nebula, are very faint so difficult to see at this image scale. The dark lane mentioned above is designated B168.
Flesherton, Ontario
September 5 2010