M78 12/2012

Catching Light

Photography by

Dan Lessmann

Oklahoma City Clear Sky Clock

Cheddar Ranch Observatory Clear Sky Clock

Catching Light

Photography by

Dan Lessmann

Oklahoma City Clear Sky Clock

Cheddar Ranch Observatory Clear Sky Clock

M78

Click image for larger version.

M78 is just east and a bit north of Orion's belt and is an often overlooked reflection nebula since it has to complete with its brighter neighbors further south. Nevertheless it's a beautiful region of reflection and dark nebulae.

Date: 12/2012

Location: 4Domes Observatory

Telescope: TMB130SS @ f/5.25

Mount: AP-1200

Camera: SBIG STL-6303E

Acquisition and Guiding: CCD Autopilot controlling Maxim DL

LRGB Combine Exposures:

Luminance - 20 x 600, Bin 1x1, 3.3 hr

Red - 22x600 Seconds, Bin 1x1

Green - 22x600 Seconds, Bin 1x1

Blue - 28x600 Seconds, Bin 1x1

Ha - 14x1200 Seconds, Bin 1x1, 4.6 hr

Post Processing:

CCD Stack: Calibration, align and combine

Images Plus: Digital development

Photoshop CS4: Luminance, color combine, levels, curves, LAB color adjustment, sharpening

Neat Image: Noise reduction.