NGC 2023, 2024, IC 434 et al 28 thru 31/12/08 - Alan Tough

Alan took advantage of the clear, frosty nights at the end of December to image the Alnitak region of Orion. The final image reveals a smorgasbord of nebulae: Barnard 33, the Horshead Nebula, is silhouetted against the bright emission nebula IC 434; Next to 2nd-magnitude Alnitak is the emission-type Flame Nebula, NGC 2024, with its dark dust lanes; Close to the Horsehead is NGC 2023, an emission and reflection nebula. The multiple star Sigma Orionis is at the top-right corner of the image. Imaging and guiding equipment: Sky-Watcher Evostar-Pro 80ED (f/7.5), Sky-Watcher Evostar-Pro 100ED (f/9), HEQ5 mount, Canon EOS 300D at prime focus, Astronomik CLS filter, StarShoot Autoguider, PHD guiding software. Exposure details: The sub-frames were taken between 28 and 31 December 2008, giving a total exposure time of 2.5 hours. The average temperature during these sessions was -8 degrees Celsius. Processing time was in excess of 12 hours. Photoshop (with Noel Carboni's Astronomy Actions) and Neat Image were used to process the subs.