The Flame Nebula NGC 2024

[PhotonCollector (Paul)]

Hello everyone,

here's an image I managed just prior to Christmas, it's the flame nebula in Orion.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas,
the skies are clearing!!

Paul Mayo

The Flame Nebula - NGC 2024
and NGC 2023 and IC 432.

Discovered by William Herschel, the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), is located west of the bright star Alnitak (Zeta Orionis). In the constellation of Orion, three bright stars trace the belt of the mythological hunter, Alnitak is the west most star. The Flame Nebula is an emission nebula excited into producing light from the intense radiation it receives from the star Alnitak.

At the bottom-right of this image is the bright white-blue reflection nebula NGC 2023. At the top-middle of this image is a bright blue star which appears to be associated with the faint-blue reflection nebula IC 432.

Paul Mayo

Higher Resolution Image
http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/NGC%202024b.html

Image Details
Field of View ~45 x 33 arc-minutes.
Orientation North is toward top of this image.
Telescope 304mm f/5 reflector telescope, hand guided.
Camera Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel.

Exposures 3 x 2-minute exposures @ ISO-1600.
3 x 6-minute exposures @ ISO-200.
Total Exposure time 24 minutes.
Sky Conditions Seeing: 9/10 (very good seeing),
Wind: 1/10 Moisture: 0/10.
Ambient Temperature ~ 28° C.
Notes used Baader Coma Corrector.
Image date (Local) 2005-Dec-23

- Paul

[xstream (John)]

Wow!
Great image Paul.

[atalas]

Very nice Paul !

[h0ughy (David)]

wow, now that is nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks so much for sharing that one Paul

[RB (Andrew)]

Oh my gosh Paul, that's stunning.

Thank you for posting.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Stunning image Paul. Is the 300D modified??

[p medcraft]

Very nice!

I agree, is the camera modified?
I struggle to get that amount of red unfortunately.
Paul medcraft

[Striker (Tony)]

Paul....just beautiful mate...very very nice.

[PhotonCollector (Paul)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Stunning image Paul. Is the 300D modified??

Glad you liked it acropolite,

no the 300D is not modified.

Best Regards
Paul Mayo.

[PhotonCollector (Paul)]

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Oh my gosh Paul, that's stunning.

Thank you for posting.

Geeday Rocket Boy,

Arrr, you don't have to thank me. It is I who wish to thank you - since being able to share the results of my hobby with others like yourself gives me the great personal reward.

Thanks

Paul Mayo

[PhotonCollector (Paul)]

Originally Posted by p medcraft

Very nice!

I agree, is the camera modified?
I struggle to get that amount of red unfortunately.
Paul medcraft

Hello p medcraft,

No the camera is not modified.

To get this much red I manipulate the red channel data in the image (sometimes). My personal theory being "the data is recorded - but not presented with the same bias as the other prime colours".

I stack, align, process my images manually and manipulated the colour channels for this image.

Clear Skies!

Paul Mayo

[ving (David)]

paul, thats a stunner
thanks for sharing