M76 is generally considered one of the more difficult targets for visual observers who are working through the Messier list. But it is a very colorful target for long exposure imaging. Formed by a dying star, it is only about 1 light-year across and is seen nearly edge-on from Earth. This image was taken with a 12.5" PlaneWave telescope and a Quantum Scientific QSI-640ws camera at f/8, working from a dark-sky site near Anza, CA. The LRGB composite image represents about 8 hours of exposure time.
Bruce W.