The Horsehead Nebula

Also known as Barnard 33 this dark nebula is 1500 light years away in the constellation of Orion, just below Alnitak (the left hand star in Orion's belt). The horse head is easily recognisable and is made up of thick black dust. Just below and to the left is the Reflection Nebula NGC 2023 and to the left of that is the amazing Flame Nebula.
Imaged with only 20 minutes of data very near to a full moon its my first go at this amazing object with my astromodified dslr. Hopefully I can do better next year when Orion comes around again!!

The Rosette Nebula NGC 2237

TThe Rosette nebula is about 4700 light years away in the Perseus Arm of our Galaxy in the constellation Monoceros. Its about 130 light years in diameter.

The young open star cluster at the centre is NGC 2244 is only a few million years old and is only visible using binoculars or a small telescope. However the red Nebula can only be shown in detail using modified cameras with light pollution filters. The hot bright stars in the centre are super heating the gas cloud of hydrogen gas, ionising it and making it emit red light in a specific wavelength.

Object: Rosette Nebula NGC 2237(and central star cluster NGC 2244)

Distance to Earth: 4700 light years

Age: 4 million years

Magnitude: 9

Constellation: Monoceros (Unicorn)

Discoverer: (NGC2244 John Flamsteed 1690) (NGC 2237 John Herschel 1840)

Imaging telescope/lens: SKY-WATCHER EVOSTAR-80ED DS-PRO + 0.85x focal reducer.

Imaging camera: Astro modified Canon 40d.

Guiding telescope or lens: Sky-Watcher Startravel-80T

Guiding Camera: ZWOASI120MC

Mount: Sky-Watcher HEQ5 PRO SynScanTM GOTO Equatorial mount

Guiding Software; PHD2, Stellarium Scope, Stellarium.

Image Software: Backyard EOS, DSS, Photoshop cc.

Filter: Astronomik CLS EOS clip filter for deepsky/light pollution.

Accessories: DIY dew heater bands and Arduino contoller. Bahtinov Mask.

Dates: Feb. 14, 2016

Frames: 9×240″

Integration: 0.6 hours

Moon phase: 40.4%

Location: Home observatory, Poole, UK.