IC 434, a hydrogen emission nebula in the constellation Orion, lies about 1,500 light years away and spans some 10 light years. Its reddish radiation is ionised by the UV light of the nearby star Alnitak. The famous Horsehead Nebula, a dense dark cloud of dust and gas, stands out impressively against this background.
M42, the Orion Nebula, is an active star-forming region 1,350 light years away with a diameter of about 24 light years. The nebula contains numerous young stars and protoplanetary discs, illuminated by the energetic Trapezium star group. Both objects belong to the Orion complex, one of the most massive star-forming regions in the Milky Way.
| IMAGE DATA | |
|---|---|
| Object | IC424 Horsehead Nebula & M42 Orion Nebula |
| Distance | 1350 - 1500 light years |
| Date | 30.11.2024 |
| Exposure | Each 30x120 sec. & each 40x30 sec. RGB, 94x180 sec. Luminance, 60x300 sec. Halpha, Total approx. 12h |
| Mount | Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro |
| Telescope | William Optics Redcat 51 |
| Camera | ZWO ASI 2600mm with ZWO LRGB & HA Filter |
| Guiding | Zwo Asi OAG with ZWO Asi 290mm Mini & Asiair |
| Software | AsiAir, Astropixel Processor, Photoshop CC, Topaz Deniose AI, Star X Terminator, Nik Collection 7 |