Image centered on Ra.5 : 41.6 (hours : minutes) Dec -02 : 14 (degrees : minutes)
NGC 2023
Information The reflection nebula NGC 2023 is one of the brightest sources of fluorescent molecular hydrogen in the sky at a distance of approximately 1500 ly from earth.
.Many astrophysicists believe that NGC 2023 is a combination fluorescent/reflection Nebula powered by a very bright star which radiates Ultraviolet radiation as well as visible light.
Optics and exposure data
Telescope, Vixen R200ss 8 inch Newtonian at F4 (Fl 800mm) with a Televue Coma Corrector and aftermarket Moonlite accessories focuser.
Mount, Losmandy G11 with Gemini control electronics
Imager, Starlite-Xpress SXV-h9 using Astronomiks RGB and Schuler Ha optical filters.
Exposure data, Ha = 90 minutes total with 5 min subexposures, RGB = 15 min each with 2 min subexposures. Final RGB composite image = (Ha+R)Gb.
Images acquired with Astroart and aligned then combined in Maxim Dl. Final RGB composite processed with Photoshop Cs
Images acquired from my backyard - " Dirt Clod Observatory" in Antelope California
