M37 - Open Star Cluster in Auriga
Copyright 2007 Hap Griffin
M37 is the brightest of three bright open star clusters in the constellation of Auriga (the others being M36 and M38). Consisting of around 500 members, it is estimated that its age is approximately 300 million years judging by the fact that it contains a number of red giant stars, indicating a fairly long period of evolution. M37 lies at a distance of 4400 light years.
Date/Location:
December 17, 2007 Griffin/Hunter II Observatory Bethune, SC
Instrument: Canon 40D (modified IR filtering) Digital SLR through
10" Newtonian w/MPCC
Focal Ratio: f/ 4.7
Guiding: SBIG ST-237 through Orion ED80
Conditions: Cold and clear
Weather: 30 F
Exposure: 25 minutes total (50 x 30 seconds @ ISO 800)
Filters: Baader UV/IR block internal to camera
Processing: Focused and captured, RAW to TIFF conversion,
flat frame calibration, Digital Development, resizing and JPEG conversion in ImagesPlus.
Final tweaking in Photoshop
CS2.