Scope:  Astro Systeme Austria ASA N8 astrograph

Mount:  Losmandy G-11/Gemini

Camera:  Starlight Xpress SXVF-H16

Filter Wheel and Filters:  Finger Lakes CFW 2-7  with Optec 50mm Ha and LRGB Filters

Ha:L:R:G:B Image - 340:35:35:35:35 minutes

MaxIm DL 5 and Photoshop CS3

This remarkable reflection nebula is part of the larger Orion Molecular Cloud, a vast network of interstellar dust in the constellation of Orion.  The blue color comes from young blue stars that illuminate nearby dust particles.  M78 is in the low/center of the image, while the lesser known NGC2071 is at upper/center.  These objects are located just north of Orions famous 3-starred belt.

Scope:  Astro Systeme Austria ASA N8 Astrograph

Mount:  Losmandy G-11 with Gemini

Camera:  Starlight Xpress SXVF-H16

L:R:G:B - 120:40:40:40 minutes - 10 minute subs

Acquired using MaxIm DL 5

Processed in MaxIm and Photoshop CS3

This image was taken with the same setup as the previous posting, but some RGB data was added.

This is one of the most beautiful areas of the night sky, with a combination of emission and reflection nebulae.  The bright star is the left star in Orions belt, which is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky.  The horsehead itself (lower right) is an area with dark dust that blocks the light and gives us that familiar shape.

Astro Systeme Austria N8 Astrograph

Losmandy G-11 Mount

SBIG ST2000XM Camera

MaxIm DL5, CCDStack, and Photoshop CS3

  NGC 6914

 NGC2244 - The Rosette Nebula