The Cat Paws Nebula (NGC 6334/6357)

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About this Image

This beautiful nebula NGC 6334 above the center of this image resembles a huge paw print in the heavens. Below the center a similar nebula patch (NGC 6357) gives a nice contrast. Both can be located south of the tip of Scorpion' s tail.
In the lower right the open cluster M 6 is visible.
North is down.


Technical Details
Optics

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L lens at f/3.5

Mount AP-400 GEM
Camera SBIG STL-11000M at -20C, internal filter wheel
Filters Astronomik RGB
Date May 24, 2006.
Location Hakos/Namibia
Sky Conditions mag 7 sky, high transparency, temperature 8 C,
Exposure HaRGB= 120:15:15:20 min (5-minute sub-exposures for RGB, 10 min for H-alpha)
all 1x1.
Processing Image aquisition and calibration in Maxim DL 4.15; straight RGB combine;
Photoshop: curves, no color balance necessary;