Object

B33 The Horsehead Nebula

Object Information

Image information

Object Type

Dark Nebula

Instrument

Takahashi FS-60C 60mm Apochromatic Refractor FL=355mm F/5.9

Constellation

Orion

Guiding

SXV / LX200 14” @ F/3.3

Magnitude

N/A

Focal Reducer

None

Coordinates

RA 05:40.9 Dec -02:28

Mount

Paramount ME

Size

6 x 4 arc min

Location

Stoney Hills, S.E England

Distance

1600 Light Years

Acquisition Date

14th Jan 2007

Notes

The Horsehead Nebula (B33) is a region of dark dust and gas that obscures the light from the relatively bright nebula behind it (IC434). The Equine resemblance is unmistakable, and it is one of the most famous deep sky objects. Below and to the left of the Horsehead the bright reflection nebula NGC2023 can be seen.

IC434 was first detected by E. Pickering in 1889 but the first discernible image of the Horsehead was captured by Isaac Roberts in 1900 and published in the Royal Astronomical Society monthly notices in 1902. It was included in E E Bernard’s catalogue of Dark Nebula in 1913.

Capture Device

Starlight-Xpress SXV-H9 Sony ICX285AL Exview HAD Cooled CCD Array 1392 x 1040 @ 6.45uM / Pixel 

Filter Type

Astronomik Type IIc Hydrogen Alpha 656nm - 13nm bandwidth

Colour Technique

Monochrome

FOV

≈65 x 87 arc mins (3.75 arcsec/pixel)

Exposure

140 m Total

Ha (28 x 300 sec bin 1x1)

Notes

This image is ‘First Light’ from the baby Tak FS-60C. I’m very pleased with the results, the image shows very little coma even without the use of a field flattener. Conditions were good when this image was taken except for a 15+ mph wind. The new Paramount ME coped flawlessly even with a 14” SCT and a large dew shield acting like a sail.