Orion nebula imaged at hydrogen alpha wavelengths, by Jim Schellenberg
This perspective is of the southeastern sky as seen at Huntington
Beach, California, at 9:30 pm PST, on January 6, 2019. It is similar to the
conditions when Jim photographed the Orion nebula. Composite created using TheSkyX
First Light Edition software. Extra sensitivity in the H-alpha realm is often
achieved by removing the factory-installed
infrared filter covering the camera's image sensor. Image
stacking / processing software such as RegiStax results in uber professional quality astrophotography
like Jim's Orion nebula photo (see
moon photo). - RF Cafe
Torrance, California – January 7, 2019 - At QuinStar Technology, we're about more than
millimeter-wave technology. The people comprising QuinStar pursue diverse and
exciting outside interests.
Our Chief Engineer,
Jim Schellenberg, is a highly skilled amateur astronomical
photographer. He captured this beautiful image of the
Orion nebula using a specially modified
Canon 6D. The camera
responds to the H-alpha spectral line at 656 nm (from hydrogen gas), which is seen as
red in the photo. The camera is mounted on an 11-inch telescope that tracks the
object as the earth rotates. This image consists of nine one-minute exposures that
are "stacked" to form the image you see.
This is an excellent time of the year to view the Orion nebula. It can be seen
with the naked eye as a hazy patch below the three stars forming Orion's belt. In
January it is at an elevation of about 45 degrees in the southern skies at 9-10 pm.
The Orion nebula, consisting of a huge cloud of hydrogen gas, is an area of intense
star birth with perhaps a 1,000 or more newly formed stars. It is roughly 1,300
light-years from earth.
This photo is especially notable because it was taken from Huntington Beach - with
all its light pollution and haze.
About QuinStar
QuinStar Technology, Inc. designs and manufactures millimeter-wave products for
communication, scientific, and test applications. We excel in millimeter-wave
products, microelectronic assembly, rapid prototyping, and mass customization. As a
result, we serve both established and emerging markets with system applications in
the commercial, scientific, and defense arenas. We are certified to ISO9001:2015 and
AS9100D
Our work helps advance emerging applications in wireless technologies and radars.
Capitalizing on our past engineering achievements, QuinStar leads the way into the future.
Contact:
QuinStar Technology, Inc. 24085 Garnier Street Torrance, CA 90505
Tel: 1+310-320-1111 E-mail:
sales@quinstar.com
Web: www.quinstar.com
Posted January 8, 2019
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