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Praying Mantis

NGC 1788

Telescope : Takahashi E160ed

Camera : ASI ZWO 6200mm Pro

Mount : Software Bisque Paramount MX+

Focal length : 528mm

Fov : 234 x 156 arcmins

Image Scale : 1.47 arcsec/pixel

Observatory : Deep Sky Chile

Filters: HaLRGB

L 101x5m R 101x5m G 101x5m B 101x5m

Ha 101x5m

Integration: 50h30m

RA: 05h05m50s

Dec : -03°5808

Just above the witch in the sky hovers a praying mantis….. It fascinates the mind that our ancestors chose to name many objects in the sky based on animals and some of the names which come to mind are the Scorpion, the Bear and even a Dragon. Continuing in the same vein and keeping to traditions, in my mind’s eye I see NGC 1788 as a Praying Mantis. That it lies in close proximity to IC 2118, the Witch Head nebula gives it an even more sinister character. The star Beta Eridani / Cursa shines brightly creating a strong halo while the ionised hydrogen gases in the region contrast it in bright red emissions. The blues from the reflection nebulae and the dust in the region all combine together to form a rich smörgåsbord of color….

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