NGC 3603 (bottom cloud) is an open cluster of stars situated in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way around 20,000 light-years away from our solar system. and is surrounded by the most massive visible cloud of glowing gas and plasma known as a H II region in the Milky Way.
NGC 3576 (top cloud) is a minor nebula in the Sagittarius arm of the galaxy a few thousand light-years away from the Eta Carinae nebula. It is much closer and smaller than the distant 3603.
Photo taken 16th Feb 2010.
16 x ten minute sub-exposures combined with darks and flats calibration in MaxIm DL Essentials. Levels and curves in Photoshop Elements 6.
Camera: Orion Starshoot Pro III CCD Color
Telescope: Skywatcher Black Diamond 120mm APO refractor
Mount: EQ6 Pro.
Baz.
barry.armstead
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:36 am
Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 167 Location: canberra
The great thing about this picture is, that when you look at the color differences, you can understand the theory of redshift, which scientists use to judge the distance of deep space objects.
As you can see, even though the one on the bottom left looks smaller, it is actually much, much larger but more distant.
The give-away is it's color. Look at how the reds have changed as the light wavelength has traveled further and through more matter.
It's amazing and wonderful how a bit of knowledge can entirely change the way you look at a pretty picture.
