by Craig and Tammy Temple
The Flaming Star Nebula (IC405, Sh2-229) is a combination emission/reflection nebula about 1500 light-years away in the constellation Auriga. The blue reflection portion on the nebula is illuminated to magnitude 6.00 by the bright star AE Aurigae. The 2 streaks of light at the bottom left of this image are asteroid Atala, as it moved across the field-of-view during our imaging sessions.
Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8” f/4 Newtonian
Accessories: Baader MPCC
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified
Filters: 2” IDAS LPS
Exposure: 122 x 180s @ ISO 800 (6hr. 6min.)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.80b Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a – Calibrated, registered, Min-Max excluded average, DDP
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja,
Date(s): December 10 & 11, 2009
Temperature(s): N1:28ºF (dropped to 23ºF); N2:31ºF (dropped to 24ºF)
SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.88 - 19.24; N2:18.70 - 19.23 mags./sq. Arcsec