Auriga's Heartbeat: Nebulae and an Ancient Cluster

Image Title: Auriga's Heartbeat: Nebulae and an Ancient Cluster

Copyright: Quentin De Meur and Julien DE WINTER

Date image was taken: April 01, 2025

Location: Belgium

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

If other selected:

Image Description and Details: I recently got a new lens, the Sigma Art 135mm, and after some setup tweaks and optimizations, I pointed it toward a target that was in a great position at the time. I focused on the Auriga constellation, aiming at the Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405) and the Tadpole Nebula (IC 410).

Funny thing is, almost two years ago, my friend Quentin from the Olympus Mons Astroclub had imaged the same area using the same focal length, but he framed a slightly different part of the region. I suggested we combine our data to quickly boost the overall integration time.

The result: a richer, deeper view of this stunning region of the sky — featuring the Flaming Star, Tadpoles, and the open cluster M38, all in one frame.

Filters :
Baader H-alpha Highspeed(f/2) 2 » :152×300s
Baader O-III Highspeed(f/2) 2 » : 41×300s and 18×600s
Optolong Blue 2 » : 41*60s
Optolong Green 2 » : 41*60s
Optolong Red 2 » : 41*60s
Total :20h08

Equipment Details: Concerning my exif (we do not have anymore the one from Quentin)
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM (Art) at f/2.8
ZWO ASI1600MM
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro
ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Name: JULIEN DE WINTER

Website or Facebook Profile: https://www.instagram.com/dwj85/