Veil Nebula, M92, and NGC6229 on August 24, 2005

NGC 6992 (Veil Nebula) on August 24, 2005.  Prime focus (f/8.0).  Total integration time 486×8.53 sec = 69 min.  This is a small section in the NNE part of the Veil Nebula.

NGC 6229.  Total integration time 446×8.53 sec = 63 min.  This is a faint globular cluster, roughly 91,000 to 103,000 light years distant — clear across the Galaxy from us.  The V magnitude of the horizontal branch is 18.0, so we’re mainly seeing the brightest cluster members in this image.  (The brightest cluster star is V=15.5.) Note the faint "stars" NE of foreground stars HD151651 and HD151689.  I suspect these are due to internal reflections from the minus-violet filter (and perhaps the CCD cover glass).

M92 (NGC 6341).  Total integration time 185×8.53 sec = 26 min.  This globular cluster lies 24,000 to 33,000 light years distant.  The core in this image is overexposed.  The horizontal branch (HB) of this cluster is at V magnitude 15.2, which is therefore the magnitude at which large numbers of cluster stars become visible.  This HB magnitude is only slightly brighter than the brightest star in NGC 6229!