20220109 - M78 & Barnard’s loop (ORI) - Too big and too small for the scope
What’s in the picture(s)
Barnard’s Loop -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnard%27s_LoopQuote “
Barnard's Loop (catalogue designation
Sh 2-276) is an
emission nebula in the
constellation of
Orion. It is part of the
Orion Molecular Cloud Complex which also contains the dark
Horsehead and bright
Orion nebulae. The loop takes the form of a large
arc centered approximately on the Orion Nebula. The stars within the Orion Nebula are believed to be responsible for ionizing the loop.”
M78 -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_78Quote “M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that includes
NGC 2064,
NGC 2067 and
NGC 2071. This group belongs to the
Orion B molecular cloud complex and is about 1,350
light-years distant from Earth”
What was the experience
I had made this image earlier this year already, but was holding off on posting it. The aim was to have M78 in the image, together with a large section of Barnard’s Loop. Although that framing had succeeded, it’s only afterwards that I noticed that I had just missed out on the Boogey Man (LDN1622) in the upper left corner (I was only aware of the exact coordinates afterwards).
Although Barnard’s Loop seemed to have yielded some nice detail, there’s only so much (it’s too big) that could be fitted in the field of view of the scope. Next to that, I would’ve hoped for a bit more detail in M78, to see more of the reflection nebula. But, admittedly, M78 is a bit ‘too small’ for the scope
How it was done
Scope: TS-94 APO (FL 414mm)
Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Camera: ASI2600MC Pro
Filter: L-Enhance
Photons: 20220109 300s 39x
Processing: PixInsight (Mac)
What have I learned from this
There are more deep sky objects floating around than you can imagine. Getting the right framing is always an exercise.
Clear Skies everybody! 🤩✨🔭
Follow me @astrowaut
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