North America Nebula from Quebec City
September 19, 2010
Photographer: Philippe Moussette; Philippe’s Website
Summary Author: Philippe Moussette; Jim Foster
The photo above showing a beautiful view of the North America Nebula was captured near Quebec City, Quebec on the night of September 11, 2010. This nebula (NGC 7000), shown here in H-alpha light (wavelength of 6563 angstroms), is a huge emission gas cloud within the Milky Way. It can be found in the constellation of Cygnus the Swan, which is high overhead at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. Cygnus, also known as the Northern Cross, is visible shortly after nightfall in the northern mid-latitudes. Though Cygnus is easy to pick out, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope if you want to see NGC 7000. But don’t expect to see a cherry red color or even a definite shape – time exposure and viewing in H-alpha light gives it its color and an identifiable shape.
Photo details: FSQ 106 and Reducer; Takahachi telescope (T2I – no filter); 3200 ISO; 8 frames of 5 minutes exposure.