Orion's Sword

 

     The constellation Orion has a section called Orion's Sword below the 3 bright stars which make up his belt.  This section is made up of some bright stars in an open cluster and 2 striking nebula including M42 and M43 (a group of emission and refection nebula often called the Great Nebula of Orion to the right) and NGC1977 (really a reflection nebula complex of NGC1973, NGC1975, and NGC1977 seen to the left).  North is to the left on this picture.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Optics Camera ISO Exposure Mount/Guiding Processing Location Date
TEC 140 @ f5.2 Canon Rebel XT (modified 350D with Type 1a filter) 800 8 x 600, 5 x 60, 4 x 45, 5 x 20, 4 x 10 sec G11 with ST4 on TV85 Levels/Curves in PS7; Dark Frame Subtract, registered & stacked in DeepskyStacker Borrego Springs, CA 10/23/06

Comments: Good seeing.