Object:  Orion's Sword
Date: 1/04
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Telescope: TeleVue 85mm refractor (f/5.6) piggyback on a Meade 10" LX200
Guiding: 208XT
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel (300D) @ Prime Focus
Exposure: This will take some research...
Processing: ditto.
Comments: This stellar nursery in the Constellation Orion is one of the most impressive sights for sky watchers in the Northern hemisphere. It's estimated to be about 30 light-years across and 1,500 light-years distant. Above the wing-like nebula M42 is a smaller almost circular emission nebula (M43) and although they appear attached, they are considered separate.  Higher still, lies the blue reflection nebula NGC 1977 (The Running Man.)
 

© Dave Dockery 2004