IC 447 In HαRGB

[Mike Lewis]

IC 447 (also known as Dreyer’s Nebula or IC 2169) is a large, faint reflection nebula located in the constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn). It is part of the larger Monoceros R1 star-forming complex, a massive molecular cloud of gas and dust that also includes the more famous Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster. It is estimated to lie 2,500 to 2,700 light years distant from Earth. It can be visible in binoclars or small telescopes under dark skies. Barnard 39 and a portion of nebulosity associated with the Christmas Tree Cluster can be seen in the lower right portion of the image as well.

I also took 2.5 hours of luminance data but did not like the result of combining it so it was not used in this final image. As always, thanks for looking and any comments,questions or critiques are most welcome.

Equipment:
Poseidon-M Camera @ -5C and
Gain:125 Offset:25
Astro-Physics Mach2 Mount
Williams Optics Cat 91 Refractor, 448mm @ f/4.9
Antlia Pro Filters (3nm narrowband plus RGB)
Askar FMA180 Guide scope with ASI290MM

Software:
Pixinsight Commercial Version 1.9
Lightroom CC
Photoshop CC
N.I.N.A. Control Software
BlurXTerminator (Russell Croman)
StarXTerminator (Russell Croman)
NoiseXTerminator (Russell Croman)
Astro-Physics APCC and APPM

Light Frames:
Gain 125 / Offset 25
Hα: 37 x 600 secs (6 hrs 10 mins)
Red: 38 x 300 secs (3 hrs 10 mins)
Green: 35 x 300 secs (2 hrs 55 mins)
Blue: 33 x 300 secs (2 hrs 45 mins)

15 hrs total

Dark Frames:
10 x 300 secs (50 mins)
10 x 600 secs (1 hr 40 mins)

Flat Frames:
10 each filter

 

[JimFox]

I think you did a really great job here Mike! I really like it.

Now IC 447 sounds familiar, but I don't recall ever hearing of Dreyer's Nebula, and also I don't recall seeing this one before. So it's a joy to see something new, though I am scratching my head about the IC 447 designation only in that it sounds familiar. So maybe I am thinking of another IC object.