Cropped from full frame

Looking like a giant Exogorth or Space Slug from The Empire Strikes Back leaping out to devour
the Milenium Falcon, this object is more commonly known as a "cometary globule" hence its more
familiar name of CG4 and it is composed of dust and inonised gas. The Millenium Falcon here is
in fact the distant galaxy ESO 257-19 and is many millions of light years further away.

You can read more about this amazing object here: http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1503/

1st Place SPSP Astroimaging Awards

Orion Optics AG12 F3.8
Starlightxpress SXVF-H694, SX USB CFW, SX OAG unit + Atlas Focuser
LRGB = 480 60 60 60min = 11hrs total exposure (bin 1X1) Astronomik filters
-20C chip temp, flats used but no dark frames used
Focal length 1120mm
Image scale 0.84"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress Lodestar

Comments
Taken over two nights, clear, no moon, below average seeing

Equipment setup:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/151108788/original

Some links to equipment used to take this image:

Orion Optics UK

http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/

StarlightXpress CCD Cameras and imaging equipment

http://www.sxccd.com/products

Finger Lakes Instrumentation CCD cameras:

http://www.flicamera.com/

Astro Shop (Aus)

http://www.astroshop.com.au/

Astro-Elecronic FS2 scope GOTO controller:

http://www.astro-electronic.de/

Gerd Neumann and Astronomik filters:

http://www.astronomik.com/en/home

http://www.gerdneumann.net/

MSB Software & Astroart 5

http://www.msb-astroart.com/

Catseye Collimation

http://www.catseyecollimation.com/

STAR Atlas:PRO planetarium software:

http://www.staratlaspro.com/