M78
Reflection nebula in Orion


This nebula, also known as NGC2068, is the brightest reflection nebula in the sky and is located in Orion. It was discovered by Pierre Mechain and included by Messier in its catalog by 1780. It is included in a group of nebulas with NGC2064, NGC2067 y NGC 2071.
It is a cloud of interestellar dust that shines reflecting the light of young blue stars, mainly two of them of magnitude 10.It can be easily located near Alnitak the star in the Orion belt.

Distance from Earth: 1.600 light years.
Aparent visual magnitude:  8,3




High resolution image (100%)

Date and location
 mar-27-2016. Caraquiz, Guadalajara
Telescope GSO RC12  on ASA DDM85 mount. No autoguíde
Camera Moravian G3 16200. IDAS LPS Hutech and  R, G, B Baader filters. 
Image processing
  L: 240x300s, RGB 60x300s. Image processed with Pixinsight




Full resolution image


Date and location
 dec-2016. Caraquiz, Guadalajara
Telescope ASA N10, f=906mm  on top of ASA DDM85 mount. No autoguide
Camera FLI ML16803.  IDAS LPS and  RGB Baader filters
Image processing
 L: 370x300s,  RGB: 135x300s. Process with Pixinsight


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