IC 434 - Horsehead Nebula - ChuckNovice

Posted: Apr 22nd, 2025

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Technical Info

Telescope/Lens: Sky-Watcher 200/1000PDS

Camera: Canon 6d

Mount: HEQ5 Pro

Guide Scope: Skywatcher 9/50

Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 120mm Mini

Software: Pixinsight, Photoshop

Accessories: TS-Optics Superflat GPU

Exposure:

80 x 120" ISO/Gain: 1600

Green zoneLight Pollution:

Gers, France

Feb 5th, 2025

IC 434 - HORSEHEAD NEBULA - CHUCKNOVICE

Telescope/Lens: Sky-Watcher 200/1000PDS
Camera: Canon 6d
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Guide Scope: Skywatcher 9/50
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 120mm Mini
Software: Pixinsight, Photoshop
Accessories: TS-Optics Superflat GPU

Gers, France
Light Pollution: Green zone

Exposure:
80 x 120" ISO/Gain: 1600

Constellation: Orion
 Object type: Emitting nebula
 Distance: 1,500 light-years
 Magnitude: 7.3
 Discovered by Williamina Fleming in 1888
 
 Fun Facts!
 Several remarkable objects can be seen in this image: IC 434, which refers to the nebula behind Barnard 33, the Horsehead Nebula (which is a dark nebula), but also NGC 2023 (the small blue reflection nebula below the Horsehead) and NGC 2024 (the Flame Nebula), illuminated by the blue supergiant star Alnitak (one of the 3 stars in Orion's belt).
 
 The Horsehead would be luminous if it weren't located in front of IC 434, whose emission nebulae are brighter because they are ionized by the star Sigma Orionis at the top of the image.
 
 As the base of the head is the site of new star formation, the shapes of this structure evolve rapidly on cosmic timescales: within a few hundred thousand years, the horse's head will be unrecognizable... and will have completely disappeared within 5 million years.

Original size: https://deepskyhosting.com/PVna833
Author: Chuck Novice

2 h 40 m

636

Constellation: Orion
Object type: Emitting nebula
Distance: 1,500 light-years
Magnitude: 7.3
Discovered by Williamina Fleming in 1888

Fun Facts!
Several remarkable objects can be seen in this image: IC 434, which refers to the nebula behind Barnard 33, the Horsehead Nebula (which is a dark nebula), but also NGC 2023 (the small blue reflection nebula below the Horsehead) and NGC 2024 (the Flame Nebula), illuminated by the blue supergiant star Alnitak (one of the 3 stars in Orion's belt).

The Horsehead would be luminous if it weren't located in front of IC 434, whose emission nebulae are brighter because they are ionized by the star Sigma Orionis at the top of the image.

As the base of the head is the site of new star formation, the shapes of this structure evolve rapidly on cosmic timescales: within a few hundred thousand years, the horse's head will be unrecognizable... and will have completely disappeared within 5 million years.

Resolution: 8233x5677 px

Scale: 15222 KB