One of the most interesting reflection nebula in the entire sky, this colorful object represents an irregular dust cloud illuminated by the star R Monoceros. A dark ring of clouds surrounds this star, casting dark shadows onto the nebula seen here as dark spots above the brightest nebulosity that changes from year to year. This deep 2.5 hour exposure compares favorably with the first shot taken with the Palomar 200 inch image seen below, which is a 15 minute exposure on 103af film.

Instrument:  12.5" f/5 Home made Newtonian
CCD Camera:  SBIG237
Exposure:  LRGB = 90:20:20:24 (RGB Binned 2x2)
Filters:  RGB Tricolor
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing 8/10, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  25 F
CCD Temperature:  -20 C
Processing:  Maxim DL, Photoshop, PW Pro.