This image is the result of an experiment with a triple-lens rig:
- Rokinon 135 f/2 (wide open) with an ASI2600MM and lum filter
- Rokinon 135 f/2 (stopped to f/2.8) with an ASI2600MC
- Canon 85mm f/1.2 (stopped to f/1.8) with a Canon EOS Ra
The mono camera was taking 5 minute exposures at gain 0, the OSC camera 2 minute exposures at gain 100, and the Ra 30 second exposures at ISO3200. Since the Rokinon + crop sensor is a much smaller FOV, I did a 2 panel mosaic with those and registered / combined with the larger FOV of the Canon 85. This all worked fairly well, and I learned a lot from the experiment, but I have some other combinations of optics and cameras I want to try before settling on any of this. The point of all this experimenting is to make a really efficient mosaic rig for capturing full constellations in Lum + OSC from my Bortle 3 backyard and new observatory.
The Lambda Orionis Ring is also known as Sh2-264 or the Anglefish Nebula. It's a massive HII region and molecular ring structure. One explanation for the molecular ring is that the molecular clouds in the region were disrupted by a recent supernova blast just one million years ago.
Also of note in this image are the stars that make up the shoulders (Betelgeuse and Bellatrix) and head (Meissa) of Orion the Hunter. A really cool looking nebula in this field is VdB 38 (the moldy strawberry) just above Bellatrix on the right side. In the larger (Ra-Only) revision B, you can also see LDN1622 (Boogeyman), and M78 at the bottom of frame.
In processing this image, I tried to bring out the great diversity of colors in this region, especially in the dust and how it mixes with HII regions and morphs from orange to brown to blue (reflection nebulae).
I've taken several images from the observatory for youtube reviews, but I'll call this one the real 'first light' from the Paper Birch Observatory since it's the first image I put some real time into planning and processing.
~Nico
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