Stacks Image 4832

Larger size jpg image available here: 1626x1221

IC 4601

About this object

IC 4601 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Scorpius. Its reported at 420 light years distant. Two pairs of large young blue stars cause the interstellar dust to glow with a bluish hue. This area also includes a lot of brownish dust and another reddish orange reflection nebula. This area is part of a larger faint nebula called IC 4592 or the blue horse head nebula which is mostly out of the field of view of this image.

This image was taken with a Stellarvue SVS130 Refractor and QSI 583 Camera from late May 16 thru July 16. Imaging faint dust is a tough proposition from my suburban backyard due to street lights and light pollution however luckily I went deep enough to capture this dust and the blue and orange reflection nebula surrounding several stars.
Image Details

  • Optics : Stellarvue SVS 130 six element refractor
  • Mount: Paramount MYT
  • Camera: QSI 583
  • Filters: Astrodon 36mm LRGB
  • Exposure: LRGB: 220:120:110:80
  • Camera/Mount Control: The Sky X, CCD Auto Pilot 5
  • Guiding: Unguided using ProTrack
  • Processing: PixInsight 1.8, PS CC
  • Location: Stark Bayou Observatory, Ocean Springs, MS
  • Date: May-July 2016
Stacks Image 74
Stacks Image 5333
Stacks Image 75