The Horsehead Nebula (A.K.A. Barnard 33) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The nebula is located just to the south of Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The nebula was first recorded in 1888 by Scottish astronomer Williamina Fleming on a photographic plate taken at the Harvard College Observatory. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of its resemblance to a horse's head.

The dark cloud of dust and gas is a region in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex where star formation is taking place. This nebula is prominent in the winter evening sky in the Northern Hemisphere and the summer evening sky in the Southern Hemisphere. This stellar nursery contains over 100 known kinds of organic and inorganic gases as well as dust; some of the latter is made up of large and complex organic molecules.

The red color originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orion. Magnetic fields channel the gases leaving the nebula into streams, shown as streaks in the background glow. A glowing strip of hydrogen gas marks the edge of the massive cloud. [Source: Wikipedia]

CAPTURE Information:

The image was captured with the new iOptron CEM120 mount , the venerable Meade 12"LX200 SCT, and my Atik 383L+ m CCD at F7.16 (2182mm FL). Astronomik's Ha narrow band, along with R, G and B broad band filters were used. Imaging subs were taken at 1x1 bin, -10C, and 10 min. (Ha), and 5 min. (R, G and B).

IMAGE information -- 2019:

Ha: 19 subs (3.17hr) on Jan 23rd, and 24th.

Red: 10 subs (0.83hr) on Feb 12th.

Green: 10 subs (0.83hr) on Feb 12th.

Blue: 10 subs (0.83hr) on Feb 12th.

Processing was done with PixInsight, following (for the most part) kayronjm's tutorial of Feb. 24th, 2013. The detail and color came out nicely. North is up and this is a slight crop due to the misalignment accumulation from the different filters and times.

COMMENTS:

While not the greatest image, I think it came out pretty well. The Ha could stand more integration, and if possible I'll catch more of those photons.

I do find it curious that the Histogram (upper right corner of this page) shows a pronounced double hump for the Blue and Green colors. Not really sure what has caused this. If I find the solution (?), I'll repost the image.

ADDENDUM:

Additional data in Ha was added from the nights of Feb 23 and 24. Not sure how much that really helped. Image B (2nd image) reflects the additional 24 subs.

Ha: 24 subs (4.00hr) on Feb 23rd, and 24th.