IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
After our meeting last night I tried to find Comet Atlas. I was a bit disappointed. I was able to find it, but it was fainter than I expected.
While I was in the area I tried to image the Horsehead Nebula. Tom Hannigan's really nice image of that region prompted me to give it a try. I used the platesolve and auto-rotate functions of SGP to frame the Horsehead as shown. With the SVX130 refractor I just barely got all of the Horsehead and Flame nebulas along with the red nebulous regions surrounding them. I had to be very careful with platesolve to accurately center the objects and get the right angle. I took 66 images of 4 minutes using my ZWO ASI071. SGP handled the process nicely, performing an automated meridian flip and then re-platesolving accurately. Nice to be able to set things up and then go to bed.
I used only the Images Plus tools that I demonstrated last night...nothing fancy.
Roger
While I was in the area I tried to image the Horsehead Nebula. Tom Hannigan's really nice image of that region prompted me to give it a try. I used the platesolve and auto-rotate functions of SGP to frame the Horsehead as shown. With the SVX130 refractor I just barely got all of the Horsehead and Flame nebulas along with the red nebulous regions surrounding them. I had to be very careful with platesolve to accurately center the objects and get the right angle. I took 66 images of 4 minutes using my ZWO ASI071. SGP handled the process nicely, performing an automated meridian flip and then re-platesolving accurately. Nice to be able to set things up and then go to bed.
I used only the Images Plus tools that I demonstrated last night...nothing fancy.
Roger
Roger M.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI 071, guide camera Lodestar.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI 071, guide camera Lodestar.
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Wow, superb image. Just about as good as it gets. Very nicely done.
Don



Don
"When I was 18, my father was the dumbest man I ever knew.
When I was 21, I could not believe how much he had learned in 3 years." --- Mark Twain
Orion 120mm F/5 Refractor
Celestron 8
Explore Scientific 80 Triplet
Explore Scientific 102 Triplet
Orion 8" Astrograph
When I was 21, I could not believe how much he had learned in 3 years." --- Mark Twain
Orion 120mm F/5 Refractor
Celestron 8
Explore Scientific 80 Triplet
Explore Scientific 102 Triplet
Orion 8" Astrograph
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Superb image, Roger. Just beautiful!
Sorry you had the sudden imagius interruptus with Zoom!
I did get a few tips I hadn't known, so a very valuable presentation for me.
Thank you,
Tom
Sorry you had the sudden imagius interruptus with Zoom!

I did get a few tips I hadn't known, so a very valuable presentation for me.
Thank you,
Tom
Tom H
Astra inclinant, sed non obligant.
Astra inclinant, sed non obligant.
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Great image Roger, you really have the automation process running smoothly. As always, thanks for sharing.
Chuck M.
Meade 8" LX200 Classic OTA
iOptron CEM40EC and MiniPier on Meade classic field tripod
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II
Canon 7D Mark II
ZWO 60mm f/4.6 GS with ASI120MM-S camera
Starizona SCT Corrector II and Virtual View 2" Rotating Visual Back
Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox
Meade 8" LX200 Classic OTA
iOptron CEM40EC and MiniPier on Meade classic field tripod
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II
Canon 7D Mark II
ZWO 60mm f/4.6 GS with ASI120MM-S camera
Starizona SCT Corrector II and Virtual View 2" Rotating Visual Back
Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Nice shot, Roger. Last night was quite transparent and dark, but the stars sure did twinkle.
Steve L
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Nice work Roger, always great to see another of your images but I think this one is especially pleasing!
Bruce D
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Roger, nice trick you pulled on us! This is obviously a cut/paste conglomeration of various NASA Hubble images put together to fool us. Sorry Roger, but nobody can image this well.

I think I will sell my imaging stuff and try writing a novel or something.
Really nice work Roger!


I think I will sell my imaging stuff and try writing a novel or something.
Really nice work Roger!
Frank N
12.5" F5 single arm Dob
"I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be"
Taylor in "Planet of the Apes" 1968
12.5" F5 single arm Dob
"I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be"
Taylor in "Planet of the Apes" 1968
Re: IC 434 Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula
Thanks for everyone's kind words.
I have been making steady progress with my imaging, but I continue to learn more each time.
Roger
I have been making steady progress with my imaging, but I continue to learn more each time.
Roger
Roger M.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI 071, guide camera Lodestar.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI 071, guide camera Lodestar.