Tag: Orion nebula

M42 Orion Nebula

October 2, 2024
H II nebula
0 Comment

The Orion Nebula, also known as M42 or NGC 1976, is a massive and bright emission nebula located in the constellation Orion, about 1,344 light-years away from Earth. It spans roughly 24 light-years across and is one of the most active star-forming regions in our galaxy, making it a vivid nursery for new stars and planetary systems. Its intense, colorful glow is due to ultraviolet radiation from young, hot stars within, which ionizes surrounding gas, causing it to shine. Visible even to the naked eye, M42 is one of the most studied and photographed nebulae, offering insights into the processes of stellar and planetary formation.

TelescopeSkywatcher Esprit 100ED
Aperture100 mm
Focal length550 mm
MountRainbow Astro RST135
AutoguidingZWO 178MM, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO ASI2600MM @0°C
CorrectorSkywatcher flattener
FiltersAntlia HaRGB
Exposure232x120s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-02

M42 Great nebula in Orion

January 7, 2017
H II nebula
2 Comments

I don’t want to repeat myself, therefore the description of the most famous nebula visible from the northern hemisphere can be found here.

The previous picture has some strange halo around the bright star Hatsya and I was thinking why. Recently, a similar picture came out of my telescope and I realized that this strange halo is caused by the frost on the secondary mirror. I manufactured a homemade dew shield and I don’t have these problems anymore.

This picture is, as usual, composed of narrowband pictures. When I look at it I am still not happy, therefore I hope next year will be better weather and I will make a better picture.

Telescope:Newton 254/1000 mm
Aperture:254 mm
Focal length:730 mm
Mount:Gemini GF53f
Autoguiding:Orion Mini, TS 50/160 mm
Camera:Moravian instruments G2 8300M @-30C
Corrector:ASA 0.73 reducer
Filters:Baader Ha, OIII
Exposure:17xHa, 15xOIII, 240 s, 10xHa, OIII 60 s bin 1x1
Date:2017-01-07