Flame and Horsehead Nebula 2009 and 2010

Combining these imaging sessions was a major challenge!! As the H-Alpha data was captured last weekend (2010) with the colour data captured during March of 2009. Anyway, this is the result:



Bigger version here:

farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4277911438_ceee2ed3cc_o.jpg


The Flame Nebula, designated as NGC 2024 (and Sh2-277) is an emission nebula in the Constellation Orion. It is about 900 to 1,500 light-years away.

Also visible is the Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434) which is a dark nebula in the vacinity. The red glow originates from hydrogen gas, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust.

The Flame and Horsehead Nebulae are part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.

A combination of 12 x 600 sec exposures using a 12nm HA Filter during 2010, and combined with 34 x 120 sec exposures using an Astronomik CLS Filter taken during March of 2009. All with a Canon 350D, and Megrez 90, piggybacked on a C11 CGE.

Taken from Cherrymount, Waterford Ireland

Many thanks for looking

steve

Fab image Steve,

Michael.

Outstanding capture !!!


Deirdre Kelleghan
Vice Char IFAS
Outreach IFAS
National Coordinator Astronomers Without Borders Ireland .
www.irishastronomy.org/
www.deirdrekelleghan.com/
twitter.com/skysketcher

Very nice Steve. Its almost like a painting. I would be interested to see how you processed it. Well done.

Once again Steve, a superb shot

Keith.

Love the colour Steve!

Michael.