Horsehead Nebula Complex

November 22, 2016

HorseheadBOkieTexChumackHRweb (2)

Photographer: John Chumack
Summary Author: John Chumack

The photo above shows a wide-field view of the well-known Horsehead Nebula complex, in the constellation of Orion, taken with a small telescope. The brightest star in this image is Zeta Orionis (Alnitak) -- the easternmost star in Orion’s Belt. This beautiful region of the sky also includes the Red Gas Nebula (IC434, at center) and the Flame or Maple Leaf Nebula (NGC 2024 and NGC 2023, at lower left), along with several small, blue reflection nebulae

It should be remarked that the Horsehead (B33), about 1,500 light years away, is sometimes difficult to discern even when looking through a telescope because it's quite faint. Thus, without the use of a nebula filter, a very dark sky is needed to reliably detect it. Photo taken at the Okie-Tex Star Party (in western Oklahoma) on September 29, 2016.

Photo Details: I used my smaller telescope, a Modified 5.5 in diameter Newtonian reflector scope; Baader-Modified, Canon Rebel Xsi DSLR camera; Coma Corrector; no filters.