Messier 92 or or NGC 6341
About Messier 92
Messier 92 (M92), is a stunning globular cluster located in the northern constellation Hercules. Here are some fascinating details about this celestial gem:
Discovery and Brightness:
M92 was first discovered by astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1777. It is one of the brightest globular clusters in the Milky Way. Under good observing conditions, it is visible to the naked eye.
Composition and Age:
M92 is very tightly packed with stars, containing approximately 330,000 stars in total. It belongs to a group of metal-poor clusters, meaning it has low metallicity (elements heavier than hydrogen and helium). As one of the oldest star clusters in the Milky Way, M92’s age is almost the same as the age of the Universe.
Learn more
Photo Capture Info:
~ 90 minutes each of Red, Green, Blue
Bias and Flats (No Darks)
Total Integration time: 1 hours, 49 minutes
Optical Equipment Used:
Baader RGB Filters
Scope: Explore Scientific ED 127mm refractor
Apex ED 0.65x Reducer / Flattener
Camera: ZWO 2600mm
Guide scope: Agena Astro 60mm refractor
Guide camera: ZWO ASI120mm-S
Computerized Equipment and Software:
Mount: Losmandy G11G
Beelink Mini PC S Intel 11th Gen
Focuser: ZWO EAF (Electronically Assisted Focuser)
Filter Wheel: ZWO 7 Position
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Micro
PixInsight for Processing
Photo Capture Info:
~ 90 minutes each of Red, Green, Blue
Bias and Flats (No Darks)
Total Integration time: 1 hours, 49 minutes
Optical Equipment Used:
Baader RGB Filters
Scope: Explore Scientific ED 127mm refractor
Apex ED 0.65x Reducer / Flattener
Camera: ZWO 2600mm
Guide scope: Agena Astro 60mm refractor
Guide camera: ZWO ASI120mm-S
Computerized Equipment and Software:
Mount: Losmandy G11G
Beelink Mini PC S Intel 11th Gen
Focuser: ZWO EAF (Electronically Assisted Focuser)
Filter Wheel: ZWO 7 Position
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Micro
PixInsight for Processing
Mythology:
Hercules, also known as Heracles in Greek mythology, is a legendary figure celebrated for his strength and numerous far-ranging adventures. Here are some key aspects of his mythological background:
Birth and Early Life:
Hercules was the son of Jupiter (Zeus) and the mortal woman Alcmena. His personal challenges began at birth. Juno (Hera) sent serpents to kill him, but the infant Hercules strangled them both. In one version of the myth, Alcmena abandoned him in the woods, where he was found by the goddess Minerva (Athena) and suckled by Juno. This act inadvertently imbued him with further strength and power.Roman Adaptation:
The Romans adapted Hercules from the Greek hero Heracles, incorporating his iconography and myths into their literature and art. In later Western art and culture, the name Hercules is more commonly used than Heracles.Contradictory Characteristics:
Hercules is multifaceted, with contradictory traits. Artists and writers could choose how to represent him. He is famous for his strength, bravery, and numerous feats.
Legacy and Influence:
The term “Herculean” still refers to immense strength and power. His labors, such as defeating the Nemean Lion and cleaning the Augean stables, are well-known. Hercules became a symbol of masculine power and bravery, leaving an indelible mark on mythology and culture.
PixInsight Processing Details
WBPP used for calibrating, cosmetic correction, and stacking if Lights, Bias, and Flats and Drizzling.
Used DynamicCrop to deal with poor flats
GraXpert to remove gradients from each image.
BlurXterminator correct only R,G,B
RGB Channel Combination with... RGB images
Used SpectrophotometricCC in RGB mode to color correct everything
Used Statistical Stretch script on RGB image into the Linear State
Processing on the Luminance Channel
Removed Stars using StarXTerminator
NoiseXterminator @ 90
HDRMultiscaleTransform at level 7 to tone down the Core of the cluster and enhance details
Very slight S-Curves Adjustment
LocalHistogramEqualization @ 75
Used ColorSaturation to boost overall colors of entire image
Using a Blue Mask, boosted the blue star colors with CurvesTransformation
ICCProfileTransformation (Ready image for the Web)