IC 447 and the Cone Nebula Region |
This widefield shot showcases a couple of my
favorite and often-shot objects, namely the Cone Nebula/Fox Fur
Nebula to the upper right and the dark complex I've
affectionately dubbed the Philippine Nebula towards the lower
right. It also includes IC447, the largish blue nebula left of
center. The comet-like blue nebula standing out in the sea of
red emission towards the upper right is NGC 2261, known as
Hubble's Variable Nebula. Details on the Cone Nebula and the "Philippine Nebula" can be seen elsewhere on this site. IC 447 is a reflection nebula, glowing blue from the light of stars reflecting off its gas and dust. IC 447 is also known as Dreyer's nebula, and is thought to be part of the same cloud of gas and dust that encompasses the Cone and Fox Fur nebulae. |
Constellation: Monoceros |
When Visible: December - April |
Distance: 2,600 Light-years |
Date: January 2014 |
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, Animas, NM |
Exposure Details: L :19 x 10 Minutes Binned 1 x 1 Red: 9 x 10 Minutes Binned 1x1 Green: 9 x 10 Minutes Binned 1x1 Blue: 9 x 10 Minutes Binned 1x1 |
Equipment Used: Takahashi FSQ-106N on an Astro-Physics AP1200GTO mount. SBIG STL-11000 camera with FW8-STL filter wheel and Astrodon LRGB and narrowband filters. Robofocus focuser and Astrodon Takometer rotator. |
Acquisition Software : MaximDL, TheSky6, CCDAutopilot 5, FocusMax |
Processing Software: MaximDL, Photoshop CS5, Carboni Actions, IrFanView |