Messier 42 (M42)
Common Name: Orion Nebula
Also Known as: NGC 1976, Great Orion Nebula, Sharpless 281
Object Type: Emission/Reflection Nebula
Constellation: Orion
Distance from Earth: 1,344 light years
Apparent Magnitude: 4.0
Coordinates: RA 05H 37M 17.3S DEC -05 deg 23 min 28 sec
Actual Size: 24 light years in diameter
Apparent Dimensions: 65 arc-minutes x 60 arc-minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Data
Date: February 8, 2021 Start Time: 6:31PM End Time: 11:34PM SQM: 19.19
Moon Age: 26.2 days Moonrise: 4:40AM Moon Illumination: 11.9%
Temperature: 30 degrees F Humidity: 55% Dew Point: 16 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear
Comment:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI071 OSC Focuser: Optec DirectSync SV35
Telescope: Stellarvue SVX130 refractor Focal Length: 910mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: Field Flattener Filter: None
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon Power Control: None Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: Platesolve2 Rotator/Control: Pegasus Unity Platform
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus Good HFR 1.93 Platesolve: Good on 3rd attempt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SV90 refractor Camera: LodestarX2 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SVX30
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 3 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 1.73 arc-seconds RMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images Taken
Number of light frames: 135 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: Unity Gain
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 4.5 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flat frames: 50 Duration: 0.08 seconds Gain: Unity Gain
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Dark frames: 60 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: Unity Gain
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Bias frames: 60 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: Unity Gain
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, Debayer, SubFrameSelector, StarAlign, ImageIntegration
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction: DynamicCrop, DynamicBackgroundExtraction, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator
Non-Linear: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, NoiseXterminator, HistogramTransformation, CurvesTransformation, MultiscaleLinearTransform for sharpening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Clouds rolled in after midnight. Many of later shots not usable.
Click Below Image for Full Size:
Click to Return to Home Page