M15

Click on image for larger version.


 		The extremely bright and concentrated globular cluster, M15, is home to a unique planetary nebula called Pease 1. As shown in the bottom image, a typical groundbased (amateur) image can just barely discern the color of the shell of this dying star. The inset Hubble Space Telescope image easily resolves the nebula and stars it the field. A triangle of three stars that are represented in both images are labeled for easier comparison. M15 is one of three globular clusters known to harbour a planetary nebula.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 22 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 10 minutes binned 1x1
 Green = 10 minutes binned 1x1
 Blue = 15 minutes binned 1x1
  • Perhaps a night of better seeing (less than 1.3" for example) might help to make the Pease 1 a bit more distinct.
  • Digital Development (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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    Minimum credit line: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 7/08/2003