Aquila and Scutum Dustfields

[Keith g]

Hi all, I'm always taken aback when viewing these constellations of the summer milkyway either by naked eye or with binoculars when seeing the amount of galactic dust running through them. Here is a shot of the area showing the dust, and it leaves your mind wondering at what is hidden benind.

As you can see, the dust reddens the starlight of billions of stars beyond. Either side of the dust are countless blue (and possibly younger) stars located in the next spiral arm of our galaxy looking inward. This is 25x4min shots. I'd love sometime to go even deeper   

www.flickr.com/photos/79652716@N00/49272...es/l/in/photostream/

Keith..

[martinastro]

Absolutely stunning Kieth, you really are the master of these rich Milky Way cloudscapes, the detail is amazing! 

[Big Dipper]

Beautiful shot Keith - it has a very 'natural' look to it (i.e. it hasn't been 'over processed').

Not sure of your location but one area I would dearly like to catch if I was further south is the Rho Ophiuchus complex near to Antares. I've never seen so many different colours in a single area of sky.

[rjgjr]

Breathtaking image Keith. What lens/and or equipment do you use for shots like these?

[Paul]

This is excellent Keith! taken from Ireland or somewhere further south? And from a great dark site too I guess. Agreed with others about the processing - spot on - bringing out loads of detail without being overdone.

Paul.

[Keith g]

Thanks Gents, I'm very happy with the result of it all. I am living here in Cavan, my home is located in very dark skies at night 

My set up is simple - I took this shot on August 15th under very clear skies, this is a stack of 25 x 4minutes exposure and 15 dark frames at ISO800, f3.5 using my canon 40D (unmodified) and my 24-70mm L lens at 32mm, all this was mounted on a very accurately polar aligned astrotrac mount.

Processing was with Photoshop just apply a little median filter which brings out the dust better.

As for Rho Ophiuchus - it's on the list 

Keith..

[markt]

Top shot!