DCld 343.0+2.8 – Dark Tower in the constellation Scorpius (the Scorpion)
The cometary globule DCld 343.0+2.8, known as "Dark Tower", in Scorpius is located in the southwestern part of the constellation. The head of the globule points towards the open cluster NGC 6231, which is outside of the image field. This star cluster is the center of the Scorpius OB1 association. Numerous young and hot stars of the association ionize the front part of the molecular cloud and produce the rim of red emission nebula. In addition to the emission region, five small blue reflection nebulae are visible around newly formed stars.
| Date: | 02.08.2021 |
| Optics: | Planewave CDK 12.5 with Televue 0.8x reducer |
| Aperture: | 318 mm |
| Focal Length: | 2030 mm |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 700Dac |
| Exposure: | 30 x 300 s |
| Location: | Chamaeleon Observatory, Onjala Lodge, Namibia |
| Processing: | Nebulosity, StarTools, Starnet++, Photoshop |
| Diameter: | 30 light years |
| Distance: | 5,300 light years |
