The nebula Messier 78 (also known as M 78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included by Charles Messier in his catalog of comet-like objects that same year.

M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that include NGC 2064, NGC 2067 and NGC 2071. This group belongs to the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex and is about 1,600 light years distant from Earth. M78 is easily found in small telescopes as a hazy patch and involves two stars of 10th magnitude. These two stars, HD 38563A and HD 38563B, are responsible for making the cloud of dust in M78 visible by reflecting their light.
(Wikipedia)

Taken on the second of two nights with cold clear weather. This night was warmer, dropping to only 20F. A little wind kept it nice an crisp. I got to see the beginings of the Quandrantids metor shower. During the two hours I waited on the camera exposures I saw a dozen or more pretty nice metors streak accros the sky.

On January 28th it was clear again and I started my session with 40 additional minutes of Luminance for M78 while I waited for the Cone Nebula to pass the meridian. This photo has the added Luminance.

Photo Details:
Taken West of Columbia, MO Jan. 3, 2011 early AM
Camera: SBIG 8300M w/FW5
Filters: Baader LRGB
Telescope: William Optics FLT 110 Lite w/WO Reducer Flattener IV system at f5.6
Mount Celestron CGE guided with PHD Guide
Exposures: 5x8 min Lum. 5x6 min RGB temp. set to -15 deg C 4x8 min Lum. from 1/29/11 added
Processed in CCDStack, PixInsight LE & PS CS3