I was scouring through my archive of data files a few days ago, looking for something that I could re-process using my new PixInsight and tools purchase. I came across a nights worth of M92 that I took as one of those filler type objects when you think there is little else in the sky that night but don't want to waste a clear sky. I took this Globular cluster with my old Digital SLR based set up, same William Optics Z61 optics and mounted on the same HEQ5 Pro I have now. So I reprocessed it and was actually happy enough with the results to make it a desktop wall paper, the Canons ASP-C sensor did make me re-think the choice of the square format I have now with the ZWO ASI 533 MC Pro.
This Globular cluster was taken back in 30th April 2022 taking 39*2 minute exposures giving me 1h18m of exposure, only an IR filter used. Almost 2 years to the day later I found I have 2 hours clear sky and after the re-processing this Globular cluster I found myself wondering why I had always overlooked these mysterious objects.
For sure they are not as exciting at first glance to look at as the glowing clouds of Hydrogen and Oxygen that make up make of the nebula targets but there is something very beautiful about the huge cluster of stars sparkling like diamonds on a black felt like sky.
Last night I took what ended up as the same amount of exposure of M13 The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules. I used my cooled ASI 533 mc pro with my Optolong L-Pro filter to try and help a little with the light pollution, thankfully the fairly well illuminated moon was not due to rise until midnight and given the recent weather here the UK this was definitely not a night to chance leaving the rig out all night, so I imaged from 10pm to around midnight.
Here is my reprocessing using modern software of the data I capture on the DSLR of M92:-
Here is a closeup of the Globular Cluster:-
Here is the processing of M13 taken last night and processed using the same workflow:-
What is really quite interesting is by getting PixInsight to generate an annotated image filtering to just the Galaxies that are in the same field of view:-
All the labels (with the exception of M13 itself) are galaxies in this small field of view.
I understand that some astrophotographers dismiss Globular Clusters as once you have bagged one they all very much look the same. I understand this and I might not be too interested in going round grabbing more of these but I think M92 might be worth another visit with the new camera.
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