M80

Click on image for larger version.

This globular cluster has the distinction of being one of the most concentrated in our galaxy (NGC 1851 is another good example). This cluster is estimated to be 26,000 light years away and perhaps 70 light years in diameter.

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 = 15 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 5 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 5 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 5 minutes binned 2x2
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was applied to the luminance image.

  • 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: Gene Katz/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 3/14/2004