IC2118 – The WitchHead Nebula

[jase (Jason)]

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble…

Hi All,
Might as well kick off my 2008 imaging series with an evil stature, so I’m pleased to present IC2118 – The WitchHead Nebula

A sinister shaped figure known as the WitchHead Nebula (IC2118) resides in the constellation Eridanus. The nebula primarily glows due to the reflected light from the bright star Rigel located 2.6 degrees away in the constellation Orion (seen top right of frame). The blue hues are due to the dusty characteristics of the nebula as dust reflects blue light more efficiently than red light. This is in contrast to interstellar reddening phenomenon where dust suppresses blue light near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The WitchHead Nebula resides approximately 1,000 light years away.

About the image;
Technically, this data was acquired last year, but it takes me a while to process an image spending many nights working the data over. The image is a BRGB composite totalling 5 hours (R:90 mins; G:90 mins; B:120 mins). image has been reduce and cropped for web appearance. One thing for sure is IC2118 is not a strong Ha target, in fact when I went through the raw subs of the individual RGB frames, it was the blue frame which displayed the most detail due to its dusty characteristics. I decided to do something different and use the blue channel as the luminance, though I suspect I would have had a better result in reducing noise in the dim areas performing the standard LRGB methodology. I think this would be a good target for unmodded DSLRs, though it’s not bright. In my composition I made Rigel a feature, thus included it into the frame (top right). I experienced many difficulties in processing this object. In particular Rigel - This is one really bright star at mag 0.18 which washed out all nebulosity and colour in its vicinity. The only way I could bring back the WitchHead was use numerous layer masks for both luminosity and colour management. Certainly the most masks I’ve had to create in an astroimage before (total of 8) and quite a processing challenge. I’m not happy with the background as it’s not flat and still exhibits some colour shifts when equalised. Stars just off the edge of the frame also created flares that protruded into the frame. Ok, enough of my bantering on – I’ve spent way, way too long processing this image. Need a break from it - time to get “dirty” with some quality telescope time acquiring data for three other imaging projects I’ve started, but appear to never finish.

Thanks for looking. Hope you enjoy!

Cheers

[sheeny (Al)]

Very nice Jase! I like the composition - looking at the star.

Al.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Magnificent... Love your work!!!

[leon]

Jase That is some awesome image, were do you get all this celeverness from. (is there such a word) i love it.

Leon

[mick pinner]

that is a stunning image Jase love it.

[theodog (Jeff)]

Very nice image Jase. Would any more processing give value for time spent? -I think not. All that is required in an image is there in spades.

[glenc (Glen)]

Thanks Jase, another masterpiece.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Outstanding image Jase, a true work of art.

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Fantastic image with so much detail in the nebula. Beautiful composition too with the way you've framed it with Rigel.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

i read the other replys first before checking out the image .... what can i say... ditto.

really nice jase , a quality start to the year.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Great image - love the way it appears to be looking at the star.

[browndog (Ian)]

Agree with all of the comments so far. Really great image.
The detail in the nebula is fantastic, it really does look like a witch...

[jase (Jason)]

Originally Posted by sheeny

Very nice Jase! I like the composition - looking at the star.

Al.

Thanks Al. I did pay particular focus on the composition as I wanted to show what was causing the reflection. The version displayed is cropped. There is actually a little more space around the edges of the full frame which I'll use for prints etc. Composition was tight however and took quite some time to frame correctly (approx 30min or so). When I finally kicked of the imaging run, the auto guider wasn't tracking correctly, then I realised that because I rotated the FOV I need to recalibrate - Doh! It’s the simple things in the middle of the night that get you.

Originally Posted by Hagar

Magnificent... Love your work!!!

Cheers Doug, pleased you liked it.

Originally Posted by leon

Jase That is some awesome image, were do you get all this celeverness from. (is there such a word) i love it.

Leon

Thanks Leon. I'm assuming you mean cleverness (or you've just invented a new profanity for the Websters dictionary). Nothing special let me tell you. I simply do all my planning (target, location, composition, exposure times, framing, guide star selection, etc) well before I’m at the telescope. From the plans, I create scripts which I upload to the telescope – the rest is pretty much automated. Seriously though, never over look composition. If you’re looking to step up your imaging, take the time to frame the object with some thought – make it interesting and give depth. The FSQ you’ve got is a great instrument for object pairings. Try fitting a few objects in the FOV or perform a mosaic to get the result your after. You’re only limited by your imagination.

Originally Posted by mick pinner

that is a stunning image Jase love it.

Thanks Mick. Appreciate the kind words.

Originally Posted by theodog

Very nice image Jase. Would any more processing give value for time spent? -I think not. All that is required in an image is there in spades.

Cheers Jeff. I would have to agree that there comes a point where the quantity of processing delivers almost diminishing returns. Depending on the quality of the data, you’ll either spend more or less time processing.

Originally Posted by glenc

Thanks Jase, another masterpiece.

Thanks Glen. I’m getting around to your imaging request. Stay tuned…

Originally Posted by Matty P

Outstanding image Jase, a true work of art.

Cheers Matty P. Thanks for checking it out.

Originally Posted by Rigel003

Fantastic image with so much detail in the nebula. Beautiful composition too with the way you've framed it with Rigel.

Thanks Graeme. Was certainly a tight fit in the FSQ/STL11k frame (155.8 x 233.7 arcmin).

Originally Posted by Alchemy

i read the other replys first before checking out the image .... what can i say... ditto.

really nice jase , a quality start to the year.

Cheers Alchemy. Interesting way of viewing a post – look at others peoples comments first before viewing the image. I typically first look for the instrument and camera used (if posted), then check out the image before making a comment. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Great image - love the way it appears to be looking at the star.

Thanks Peter. Appreciate it.

Originally Posted by browndog

Agree with all of the comments so far. Really great image.
The detail in the nebula is fantastic, it really does look like a witch...

Cheers Ian. It is an interesting and challenging imaging target that for sure.

=======
Thanks all for taking the time to check out the image and make comment.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by jase

Cheers Alchemy. Interesting way of viewing a post – look at others peoples comments first before viewing the image. I typically first look for the instrument and camera used (if posted), then check out the image before making a comment. Thanks again.

im on a limited download , and as theres no thumbnail ,if it doesnt get a good rap thats where it ends. Not that i ever recall you putting up a dud some websites just chew through my limit..... however on yours i will check out the big image... you should submit this one for APOD

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

BEAUTIFULLLL JASE! one of the best witches head ive seen so far. as always, i can't comment anything negative on your images. this one is too nice.

[iceman (Mike)]

Very haunting object, beautiful captured and processed, Jase. Another masterpiece.

I love the red star in the heart of the nebula.

[avandonk]

It is a very faint object and you have done well to get such a fine image.

Bert

[Garyh]

Jase! what can I say?....
I think thats one of the best witchhead neb images I have seen. Visually very pleasing!
I tried this with my tv-genesis and 300d but it didn`t quiet fit into the field of view..another benefit of a big chip!
Very well done!!.
cheers Gary

[JohnG (John)]

Like others have said, what can one say, a truly haunting picture, got to be one of the best WitchHead shots I have ever seen. An excellent rendition of this truly difficult object.

Cheers

[Ric]

Hi Jase, a wonderful start to 2008 with a fantastic image. I enjoyed the way you have captured the subtle changes in colour throughout the nebula, I imagine that wasn't an easy task.

A top shot