NGC2261 in Monoceros
with 10" f/3.9 Astrograph
Uploaded 5/6/26

 

            
Hubble's Variable Nebula
            in Monoceros which surrounds the star R Monocerotis is a great
            target for both large and small instruments due to its immersion
            in Sharpless 2-273 red hydrogen cloud. This extensive cloud is
            most often left out of amateur images, which mostly concentrate
            on just getting an image of the central NGC2261 itself. The lesson
            demonstrated here is to do at least a short test exposure in
            h-alpha when imaging molecular clouds, you may be surprised!

            
Technical Data: 10"
            f/3.9 Newtonian astrograph Atik 16200 CCD, RGB = 3 hours total,
            Payson, Az.

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1600 x 1290



            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1600 x 1290


Instrument:  10" f/3.9 Orion Astrograph Newtonian with Baader MPCC
Mount:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
CCD Camera:  ATIK 16200 
Guider: ASI290  w/80mm WO Zenithstar 81 piggyback refractor
Exposure:  2 hours RGB
Astronomik  RGB Combine Ratio:  1: 1.05: 1.5
Location:  Payson, Arizona, Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FWHM = 3 arcsec , Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  35 F
CCD Temperature:  -30 C
Image Processing Tools: 
Maxim DL6:  Calibration, PixInsight:  All Remaining processing, Photoshop CS2: Production finishing 

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