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A very difficult object to image with film or CCD, The Merope nebula around the brightest star in the Seven Sisters Cluster is composed of "wreaths of nebulosity" which are very faint indeed. Its subtle blue coloration from dust and the strands of details brought out by interstellar magnetic fields makes for a stunning field. This is of course only a small part of this nebulous complex, but the best part for sure. Take note of the few very red stars in this image as well.

To enhance the nebulosity and decrease the brightness of the blazing 4.2 magnitude B6 star Merope, a blue luminance was used. Ron's debloomer was highly instrumental in bringing this image to fruition.

Instrument:  12.5" f/5 Home made Newtonian
Platform:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
CCD Camera:  SBIG ST8i NABG
Guider: SBIG ST4
Exposure:  BRGB = 60:20:20:40 (RGB Binned 2x2)
RGB Combine Ratio:  1: .8: 1.2
Filters:  RGB Tricolor
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 3.8 arcsec (Maxim DL - 10min subframe), Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  0 C
CCD Temperature:  -20 C
Processing Tools:  Maxim DL, RG Sigma, Photoshop, AIP4WIN, PW Pro, RW Debloomer.

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