M78
I've processed this relatively deep exposure to show all the interesting dark and dusty areas near M78. There's a price to pay for such a "light" image, and the challenge is to deal with the noise inherent in the dark but not quite "black" areas. How does it look on your monitor?
M78 (NGC2068) is the bright blueish reflection nebula in the lower left. NGC2071 is the dimmer nebula to the upper right, close to M78. NGC 2067 is separately cataloged and just below/right M78, across the dark dust lane. NGC2064 is below M78 and to the left, it's the little bright spot. More information on M78 is at SEDS here. Mark will want to know that this is around 1300 light years away ;-)
The comma shaped nebula on the right middle of the frame appears to be identified: "The astronomical database SIMBAD knows this nebula as "[B77] 100". It is the object #100 in C. Bernes' catalogue of bright nebulosities in opaque clouds which was published in 1977." Thanks to Manfred Mrotzek on the APML for that. In addition, Siebren Klein was kind enough to contact Owen Brazell, who provided this info: "I believe it is Bernes 100 or DG82, defined as a cometary refection nebula which would seem to fit the bill." Ken Drake indicated his version of Megastar identifies this as DG 82, and also OS 62...
I believe the red nebulosity is part of Barnard's Loop.
Exposure details: 19x4min exposures = 76 minutes total exposure. HAS site near Columbus, TX, 2/26/2006. Std Disclaimer: More exposure would be better! Takahashi TOA 130 (a 5" APO refractor) and Canon EOS D20a. My current image processing workflow is here.
Dick Locke's HAS Astrophotography Index
 M78 - Rough Cut This is a rough cut of a dim and "challenging to process" object. |  M78 Wider View Click on thumbnail for slightly wider view... |  Final Cut, a little bluer... |
 NGC 1990 area from same night | Astronomy Pictures: Dick Locke's Astrophoto Gateway page.... | Messier Pictures, Images by Dick Locke |
Copyright © 2006, Dick Locke. All Rights Reserved.
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