20220227 - IC2177/Sh2-292 The Seagull Nebula - A seagull flying low in the night …

What’s in the picture(s) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC_2177
Quote: “IC 2177 is a region of nebulosity that lies along the border between the constellationsMonoceros and Canis Major. The name Seagull Nebula is sometimes applied by amateur astronomers to this emission region, although it more properly includes the neighboring regions of star clusters, dust clouds and reflection nebulae. This latter region includes the open clusters NGC 2335 and NGC 2343.”

What was the experience
I had seen images of the seagull nebula flying around from all the other astrophotographers, but always thought that it would be too low to the horizon and hidden by the trees for me.

But, I gave it a try anyway. Only 28 degrees max above the horizon in my south, well inside the horizontal haze, just above the hedge, a reasonably clear window from the trees for only a couple of hours, right above the parking lot of a motorcycle garage, where a flood-light is turning night into day 😱🙈😳🙄 Captured just enough data to process this into a half decent image

Although this is called the ‘Seagull Nebula’, this region is host to a lot of objects, like the open clusters NGC2335-2343 and some other objects from the sharpless catalog.

A couple of halos around some bright starts, but I think that’s down to my processing, star-processing is something I still need to improve upon. In spite of the difficulties, I’m very happy with this result 😎

How it was done
Scope: TS94 APO (FL 414mm)
Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Camera: ASI2600MC Pro
Filter: L-Enhance
Photons: 2022025-27 180s 57x
Processing: PixInsight (Mac)

What have I learned from this
Although my south-bound view is blocked up to 45 degrees by trees and a huge flood light pointing at my garden, it seems I had touch of luck in catching a low flying seagull. With some difficulties, this might bring a bit of hope for some other low declination DSOs … Here’s hoping …

Clear Skies everybody! 🤩✨🔭

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