Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Orion (Ori)  ·  Contains:  Horsehead nebula  ·  IC 431  ·  IC 432  ·  IC 434  ·  IC 435  ·  NGC 2023  ·  NGC 2024  ·  The star Alnitak (ζOri)  ·  The star σOri
Horsehead and Flame Nebula, John Watson
Horsehead and Flame Nebula
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Horsehead and Flame Nebula

Horsehead and Flame Nebula, John Watson
Horsehead and Flame Nebula
Powered byPixInsight

Horsehead and Flame Nebula

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Description

With a bright waxing moon promising to wash out any imaging opportunities I might get while I was off work, when a clear night did finally come along I used the time imaging open clusters at various exposures and ISOs. I hoped they would be be less effected by moonlight and I wanted to better understand exposing to get the best star colours.

By about 2am, I was ready to sleep and did a final check on the scope. With the moon now setting, Orion, which is usually behind oak trees to the south, had cleared the trees to the west and, although was not far from setting itself, seemed particularly bright despite being so low in the sky. Unable to resist, I slewed to the Flame and Horsehead Nebula.

I wish I could have stayed up long but settled for 6 x 5 minute exposures at 1600 ISO. I should really get more data,, but for so late at night, and such few exposures, I think this came out ok.

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Horsehead and Flame Nebula, John Watson