M8 - The Lagoon Nebula (DSLR)

Equipment: 5" Skywatcher 120 EDT on a Software Bisque Paramount ME, Canon 60Da DSLR

Exposure: 8 x 5 minutes (40 minutes total)

Location: Texas Star Party 2014, Prude Ranch, Davis Mountains, Texas.

I am privileged that Skywatcher USA is wanting me to do some imaging through their refractors. This 5“ refractor is a nice sized scope, and just like its 6“ big brother, is a great performer at any price.

As for the object itself, many exposures of the Lagoon, or any emission source for that matter, do a poor job of showing the reflections of the hot, young, blue stars in the cluster. This image consciously tries to preserve that; so, if there is more blue than you have seen - or a wider color palette - then now you know the reason.