This is the Lagoon Nebula (M8) as seen through a hydrogen alpha narrowband filter. Hydrogen alpha is in the deep red portion of the visible spectrum and is commonly emitted by emission nebulae which are made of approximately 90% hydrogen. This image represents a compilation of 14 hours of imaging.

Technical Information       

Date:                       June, 2014

Location:                 Green Valley, Arizona

Telescope:              Takahashi FSQ-106EDX

Camera:                  SBIG STT-8300M

Filters:                     Astrodon Hydrogen alpha (5mn)

Mount:                     AstroPhysics 1200

Exposure:                H alpha = 840 minutes unbinned

Software:                 Acquisition: Maxim DL 5, TheSkyX, Pinpoint, CCD Commander

                                Processing: CCDStack, PhotoShop CS6 with various plugins