Melotte 15 is a young and energetic cluster, with its hot, massive stars illuminating the surrounding nebula, creating a visually stunning celestial display. The region is a popular target for astrophotographers and astronomers interested in studying the dynamics of star formation and the interplay between stars and the surrounding interstellar medium.

This deep-space image, captured using the Hubble palette, offers a unique perspective of Melotte 15, a star cluster nestled within the expansive cosmos. Comprising Sulfur (S), Hydrogen-alpha (Ha), and doubly ionized Oxygen (OIII) emissions, the image provides a distinctive, color-enhanced view of the cosmic phenomena. Melotte 15 is renowned for its remarkable stellar richness, harboring a concentration of hot, massive stars, including O-type stars, which are among the universe's most massive. This makes it an exceptional laboratory for exploring the intricacies of stellar evolution and massive star formation. Additionally, within this cluster, various variable stars exhibit periodic changes in brightness, supplying astronomers with valuable data for unraveling the fundamental properties of stars and the dynamics of Melotte 15, enhancing our comprehension of this celestial ensemble.

ES152 APO,

ASI1600mm cool

Mach1 mount

290mini guide camera on Orion 80mm guidescope

Captured with SGP post done in PI.ZWO NB filters. S H and O.About 22 hours.

Bortle 6+My front yard in my NexDome Grand Rapids, MI

Copyright: Ron Richards