Here is my 2024 edition to my favorite target in the Constellation of Orion. We have visited this beautiful jewel before (see here), but this year’s edition employed various techniques to bring out the nebulosity around the target. Compared to the first attempt in December 2022, the dark dust lanes are visible against faint region of hydrogen II emissions, which creates a picturesque scene for night sky lovers.
M78 is a reflection nebula located 1,350 light years away from Earth. For more technical information on M78, check out https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_78. In the meantime, and amidst all of the cloudy nights, don’t forget look up and experience an amazing Universe!
Gear: AA Hypercam 26C, Askar 80 PHQ, HEM27 mount, Optolong CLS; ZWO OAG + AA120mc
Exif: 96 x 5-min lights; Gain 200, Offset 3, TEC @ 10 degrees; 20 darks
Software: SharpCap, PHD2; AstroPixelProcessor, PixInsight; Photoshop
Very nice work, Drexel. Lovely contrasting nebulosity colours and a fabulous starry background.
Thank you very much 🙏🏾🙂
Lovely composition and a very subtle colour palette.
Very much appreciated.