The bright star at the center of the photograph is Zeta Orionis, the left most star in the belt of the constellation Orion. To the right of Zeta is the "Horsehead" nebula (B33), a dark nebula backlit by the red emission nebula IC434. Although the Horsehead looks more like a sea-horse than a real horse, the "horsey" connection remains. Down and left of Zeta Orionis is NGC2024, sometimes called the "Flame" nebula because of it's fiery appearance.
This is a 15 minute exposure on unhypered Fuji Superia 800 film at the prime focus of a 10 inch Newtonian reflector telescope. This image was hand guided through a 102mm refractor telescope mounted piggyback on the main scope. The streaking effect at the center is the result of unwanted reflections from the scope's secondary mirror. I hope to re shoot this object soon. |
