RCW 108 Molecular Cloud in Ara

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rcj
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RCW 108 Molecular Cloud in Ara

Post by rcj »

Hi all,

Here is a new object captured -> RCW108 in Ara.

RCW108 is commonly known as a molecular cloud which is constantly evolving and
affected by UV radiation from O and B type hot stars located in the lower part of the right frame (which is part of the stellar cluster NGC6193). In this H-alpha image, the bright glow in the right frame reveals a stream of gas that flows away from the molecular complex as it is being heated and ionized. Again, on the right frame, where the dark absorption nebulosity is, is a place where a small cluster of stars are being formed at present.

RCW108 itself is actually bigger than what is presented here. It reminds one of the Horsehead Nebula (without the head!) on the right frame, and a little resemblance to the Veil Nebula on the left frame. It would probably take four frame mosaic or even more to cover the entire molecular cloud.

A little more about the RCW catalogue:
This emissive cloud is part of the RCW catalogue of H-alpha emission regions in the southern Milky Way. The catalogue was published by three astronomers: A.W. Rodgers, C.T. Campbell and J.B. Whiteoak in 1960.

Image Details:
Mismatched mosaic of two H-alpha frames taken two nights ago with the almost full moon present (Scorpius) while this object resides in Ara (lower right of Scorpius). Each frame is a addictive stack of 3 sub-exposures (20 minutes each), taken with the 5" refractor and CCD camera. More sub-exposures will be captured and hopefully lessen the noise still prevalent in this image mosaic. Am happy to note that stars are consistently more roundish (and smoother guiding) due to an upgraded worm gear for the equatorial mount. Image frames cannot be combined seamlessly as the left frame was taken when the scope was slewed too far to where it should be. Careless imager!

Image
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weixing
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Post by weixing »

Hi,
WOW!!! :shock: :shock:

Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing
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Tachyon
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Re: RCW 108 Molecular Cloud in Ara

Post by Tachyon »

rcj wrote:RCW108 is commonly known as a molecular cloud which is constantly evolving
Animation! Animation! Maybe one-yearly time lapse movie for ten years?
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cataclysm
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Post by cataclysm »

Wow..Wow...!!!
Didn't even know these objects exist!
Looks like your new worm is worth every penny! Hope that mine works as well.
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mrngbss
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Post by mrngbss »

wo3 de4 ma1 ya!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:
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Airconvent
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Post by Airconvent »

mm...RCW seems like something named after Remus!
But interesting image. First time I cam across this class of DSO called "molecular cloud" I suppose it is basically a type of emission nebula?
Does this cloud have colour?

rich
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Post by rcj »

yes rich, it is an emission nebula and glows red in the brightest part...when the moon is away, will try to add colour components....right now, HA is the way to go for the moment...
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