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Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Anybody seen this before?

Started by brian11333, 05/09/2006 08:58PM
Posted 05/09/2006 08:58PM Opening Post
First of all I know the image sucks. Me and this Hyperstar lens are not getting along. I'm having a spacing issue from the camera to the lens and I get these freaked out halos. Hopefuly I can get it fixed soon.
While I was taking some test shots of Vega, I noticed a faint blue nebula near the star. I drew a box around it and streched it out to see it better in PS. I've never imaged Vega before and just wondering if anyone has seen it.
Thanks

Attached Image:

brian11333's attachment for post 31431
Posted 05/09/2006 09:24PM | Edited 05/09/2006 09:32PM #1
just wondering if anyone has seen it.

Looks like a Schmidt Ghost to me.

This Schmidt ghost is a feature frequently encountered with Schmidt telescopes. What happens is that light from a bright star (Vega in yours) in the field reflects off the primary, then off the Schmidt corrector plate, then off the primary again, then to the secondary and detector. The "stellar ghost" always appears diagonally opposite about the center of the field of view from the offending star. Its shape may vary depending on the Schmidt and any filters used.

There is some talk that imperfections in the Schmidt Corrector plate can also add to the effect.


Peter
www.PetesAstrophotography.com
Posted 05/10/2006 03:02AM #2
There is a faint nebula near Vega, but I'm not sure if your image demonstrates a portion of it. Steve Mandell has cataloged a previosly uncataloged nebula he calls the Horns of Vega.

http://www.galaxyimages.com/HornsofVega.html

Tom

Starsearch Observatory
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