This large nebula is found in the constellation Monoceros, just East of Orion. The star cluster NGC2244 is an easy sight through a small telescope, the nebula is far more difficult.

This photo is the first light of my new Canon XT DSLR camera, modified by Hap Griffin.

I only have 8 three minute exposures as this object is setting a couple of hours after dark and there were low clouds. I also messed up by shooting in Medium Quality jpg instead of Raw. I thought I'd changed after focus, but the buttons are small on this new camera as compared to my Canon 10D DSRL.

I also cut the polar alighment short as I wanted to shoot a nebula and this is the last one for the season. With the quick polar alighnment the small stars are not round.

All-in-all, the image turned out pretty well. I am looking forward to the next clear night when I can try out this camera.

Photo Details:

Telescope: William Optics 80mm Fluorite Doublet APO w/ 0.80 William Optics Focal Reducer F5.6
Camera: Canon Rebel XT - Hap Griffin modified
Mount: Celestron CGE
Exposures: 8 x 3 minutes unguided. ISO1600 Medium Fine Quality JPG
Processing: Stacked and Dark Subtracted in AIP4WIN. Streched and Curves in PixInsight. Clean up and Noise reduction in Photoshop Elements. Back to AIP4WIN for Deconvolution.