Object info

Messier 38 (NGC 1912) is one of the three well known open clusters in the constellation Auriga.

This cluster lies at a distance of about 4.200 light years and is approximately 25 light years in diameter. The much smaller cluster just to the right of M38 is NGC1907. NGC1907 lies at a distance of about 4.500 light years and only contains about 30 stars. At a visual magnitude of 8.2 it is a bit fainter than M38 (7.4).

Processing

DSLRFocus was used to focus the scope and create the imaging series. ImagesPlus 2.8 was used to calibrate the light frames with 17 dark frames and 10 flat frames. Photoshop CS4 was used for post-processing, levels and curves adjustments. Pixinsight LE (DBE) was used to get rid off the light pollution gradients. Noel Carboni's astronomy tools were used for DSO enhancement and noise reduction.

Comments

Low outside temperature of -11.3°C which was very helpful with keeping noise levels under control. (Manually making tiny adjustments to the focuser is another story however....)

Previous versions

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