This frames the rich region of the southern Milky Way in the small constellation of Ara. The large red nebula at top right is NGC 6188, aka RCW 108,
This frames the rich region of the southern Milky Way in the small constellation of Ara. The large red nebula at top right is NGC 6188, aka RCW 108, that surrounds a loose star cluster NGC 6193. The nebula has become known as the Fighting Dragons of Ara, from its apperance in close-up images. To the right of the large nebula is the small double-lobed planetary nebula NGC 6164, though it is tiny at this image scale. The star clusters below the nebula are NGC 6167 (left) and NGC 6134 (on the right). The stars at left form the main pattern of Ara. At left is the large globular cluster NGC 6397 just resolved here despite the wide field. At top above the blue star Alpha Arae is the smaller globular NGC 6352. To the rght of Alpha Arae is the open cluster IC 4651. Near the dimmer yellow star Epsilon1 Arae at centre are the open clusters NGC 6253 (above it) and NGC 6208 (to the right of the star). The pair of colourful stars at bottom are Beta (yellow) and Gamma (blue) Arae. This is a stack of just 7 x 2 minute exposures with the Canon RF135mm lens at f/2 on the Canon Ra at ISO 800, tracked but not guided on the Astro-Physics AP400 mount. The lens had an URTH 82mm Night broadband filter on it. Taken on a night devoted to shooting 135mm fields along the Milky Way, in March 2024 from the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel near Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. Some thin cloud added the natural star glows. The threat of incoming clouds kept the exposure sequence short to allow time to shoot other fields in the area.
Size: 6720px × 4480px
Photo credit: © Alan Dyer / VWPics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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