IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula, gets its name from the resemblance the top edge (in this shot) of
the nebula has to the profile of an ugly witch, turn your head and see. The nebula glows mostly by
light reflected from the bright star in Orion called Rigel. Rigel is located off the image to the
top. Fine smoke like dust in the nebula reflects the light. The blue colour comes not only from
Rigel's blue color but also because the dust grains reflect blue light.
AP152 F7.5 Starfire APO refractor with 4" field flattener
FLI ProLine11002 CCD & CFW-2-7
LRGB = 60 60 60 60min (all bin 1X1) Astronomik filters
-35C chip temp, darks and flats (AstroHandy LightRing used for flats)
12MPPS download speed = 1.5sec/full frame download at bin 1X1.
FOV = 1.8deg X 1.2deg at 1.6"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress SXVH9
Comments:
Taken from Wiruna, the dark sky site of the Astronomical Society of NSW in very
windy conditions and poor seeing, see set-up at Wiruna here: