Star Clusters
In astronomy we have two types of star clusters: open star clusters and globular clusters.
The Pleiades (M45)
Exposure: 13m 20s (32 frames of 25s each), gain 280-320.
Equipment: Sigma 300mm f/4 APO telephoto lens attached to a ZWO ASI385MC.
Date: 14-Nov-2020 19:16 UTC Location: Santa Venera.© Mario Aloisio
The White Rose Cluster aka Caroline's Cluster (NGC7789)
Exposure: 49 frames of 10 seconds each (approx. 8 minutes).
Equipment: Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens (60mm objective) set at 300mm, coupled to a ZWO ASI 385MC.
Date: 28-Dec-2019 18:18 UTC Location: Santa Venera. © Mario Aloisio
Globular Cluster M56 in constellation Lyra
Exposure: 4m 30s (45 frames of 6s each) Equipment: Sky-Watcher 150mm f/5 Newtonian, ZWO ASI 385MC, prime focus
Date: 8-Oct-2020 20:41 UTC Location: Santa Venera. © Mario Aloisio
[RIGHT] The Double Cluster (NGC 869 & NGC 884) in the constellation of Perseus
Exposure: 4 minutes (stack of 4 frames) Equipment: Home-built 127mm f/6 achromatic refractor, Canon EOS 400D
Date: 28-Dec-2016 Location: Santa Venera. © Mario Aloisio
These twin star clusters were once thought to be relatively bright individual stars and were therefore given the names h and แตก (Chi) Persei, which are still being used. Both visible to the naked eye, they lie at a distance of about 7,500 light years. The Greek astronomer Hipparchus catalogeed them (as a patch of light in Perseus) as early as 130 BCE.
The Beehive Open Star Cluster (M44, aka as Praesepe) in constellation Cancer.
Exposure: 9m 15s (stack of 15 frames), ISO 400 Equipment: Sigma 300mm f/4 APO telephoto lens, Canon EOS Kiss x7i (700D)
Date: 23-Feb-2022 19:26 UTC Location: Santa Venera. © Mario Aloisio
Globular Cluster M13 in constellation Hercules
Exposure: 3m 20s (20 frames of 10s each) Equipment: Sky-Watcher 150mm f/5 Newtonian, ZWO ASI 385MC, prime focus
Date: 29-Sep-2020 19:46 UTC Location: Santa Venera. © Mario Aloisio
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