M8 - Lagoon Nebula

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M8 - Lagoon Nebula

This is a diffuse nebula located in the constellation Sagittarius. It is quite large covering 90 by 40 arc minutes.  This object can be seen by the naked eye if you are in a dark location.  It is quite beautiful.  Dark globules can be seen intersperced within the nebula, which are condensing star matter.

Date:  07-15-2004

Telescope: Takahashi FSQ106 550mm        Camera:ST10XE                

Exposure Time: LRGB: Ha 90min;20min;20min; 20min2x2bin

Processing: This was quite a challenge.  I combined and calibrated all the Halpha and RGB files.  Transported to Photoshop and had to do a lot of processing to get the Halpha to work as luminence with the RGB channels.  This was done by using the Halpha to lighten the RGB then combining the both using the Halpha as luminence.