Messier 78 (M78), NGC 2067, NGC 2071
Also Known as: NGC 2068 (M78).
Object Type: Reflection Nebula
Constellation: Orion
Distance from Earth: 1,600 light years (M78) ... 1,300 light years (NGC 2071)
Apparent Magnitude: 8.3 (M78)
Coordinates: RA 05H 46.7M 0S DEC 00 deg 03 min 0 sec (M78)
Actual Size: 10 light years in diameter (M78)... 4 light years (NGC 2071)
M78 Apparent Dimensions: 8.0 arc-minutes x 6.0 arc-minutes
NGC 2067 Apparent Dimensions: 8.0 arc-minutes x 3.0 arc-minutes
NGC 2071 Apparent Dimensions: 7.0 arc-minutes x 5.0 arc-minutes
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Environmental Data
Date: February 8, 2024 Start Time: 7:42PM End Time: 1:25AM SQM: 19.85
Moon Age: 28.0 days Moonrise: 6:19AM Moon Illumination: 2.8%
Temperature: 32.5 degrees F Humidity: 97% Dew Point: 31.5 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear and then cloudy as the night progressed
Comment:
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Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 OSC Focuser: Optec QuickSync FT20
Telescope: Celestron 11 inch SCT Edge Focal Length: 1960mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: 0.7 focal reducer Filter: None
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon Power Control: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox V2 Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: ASTAP Rotator/Control: Pegasus Unity Platform
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus HFR 3.1 Platesolve: Success on 3rd attempt
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Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SV90 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SVX30
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Tracking Result: 0.7 arc-seconds RMS
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Images Taken
Number of light frames: 135 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 4.5 hours
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Number of flat frames: 50 Duration: 0.05 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
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Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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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: AutomaticCrop, DynamicBackgroundExtraction, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, CurvesTransformation, MultiScaleLinearTransform for sharpening, HistogramTransformation, CuvresTransformation to enhance Blue.
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Notes: Actually took 173 images but clouds were getting heavy during at least the last hour.
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