The Dragon of Ara

Image Title: The Dragon of Ara

Copyright: The Astrodivers - Alex Battu and Luca Barcaro

Date image was taken: July 12, 2025

Location: Springbrook Observatory - Australia

Data Acquisition Method: Remote Observatory (Commercial)

Description and Details: Stretching across 400 light-years, the emission nebula NGC 6188 glows in intricate filaments of hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. Its shape, carved by stellar winds from the nearby cluster NGC 6193, evokes a dragon soaring through the stars. But below this sprawling cloud lies an unexpected jewel: the planetary nebula NGC 6164/6165, expelled by the massive O-type star HD 148937. Here, a stellar nursery and a dying star share the same sky, a striking portrait of the cycle of stellar evolution.

This is a panel of two frames and below are the technical data:
Imaging Telescope: Planewave DeltaRho 350
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
Mount: iOptron CEM120
Filters:
Baader Blue (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 1h 15′
Baader Blue (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 3h 55′
Baader Green (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 42′
Baader Green (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 5h 45′
Baader H-alpha 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 6h 15′
Baader O-III 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 19h 10′
Baader Red (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 1h 27′
Baader Red (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 6h 15′
Baader S-II 6.5nm (CMOS-Optimized) 50 mm: 14h 5′

Name: Alex Battu

Website or Facebook Profile: http://astrodivers.com