Messier 54

In 2024, I received a dataset of the globular cluster Messier 54 (M54) from the VdS Remote Observatory located in Hakos, Namibia. The data were acquired by Kai-Oliver Detken, whose observations provided an excellent basis for high-quality image processing. As a member of the VdS Remote Observatory group, I have access to and permission to process all datasets obtained from this facility, allowing for collaborative research and consistent data handling across multiple projects.

The M54 dataset was of particularly high quality, benefiting from the observatory’s exceptional sky conditions—dark, transparent, and stable, ideal for deep-sky imaging. The raw frames exhibited minimal noise and excellent star profiles, providing a strong foundation for advanced calibration and integration.

Processing focused on achieving precise photometric calibration and color balance to accurately represent the cluster’s dense stellar population and subtle luminosity gradients. The final image reveals the compact and highly concentrated core of M54, one of the most massive and distant globular clusters associated with the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy.

The data calibration, registration, and final image processing were all carried out in PixInsight, ensuring both accurate color representation and careful preservation of the subtle gradients surrounding the cluster.

The result was as follows: