NGC 6604 & Scary Face Nebula (Sh 2-54)

(Click for Full Resolution)

🌌 Object Information

  • Name/Designation: NGC 6604 & Sh 2-54

  • Object Type: Emission Nebula and Open Star Cluster

  • Constellation: Serpens

  • Distance from Earth: ~6,200 light-years

  • Apparent Magnitude: ~9.0

  • Angular Size: ~60 arcminutes (~1°)

📅 Imaging Info

  • Date: July 31, Aug. 2 – 3, 2024

  • Location: Athens, Greece
  • Frames: 310 × 60″ exposures (5h 10m)

  • Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: 0 °C

  • Bortle Scale: 8/9 (City sky)

🔭 Equipment & Guiding

  • Imaging Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS

  • Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

  • Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro

  • Filter: L-eXtreme 1.25″

  • Accessory: Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III Newton Coma Corrector

  • Guide Scope: Artesky 32mm Mini Guide Scope

  • Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini

🛠️ Software

  • Astro Photography Tool (APT)

  • PHD2 Guiding

  • PixInsight

  • BlurXTerminator

  • NoiseXTerminator

  • StarXTerminator