M78 (NGC 2068) reflection nebula in Orion
Sketch and Details by Frank McCabe
Reflection Nebula M-78 (NGC 2068)
This Orion gas and dust cloud extends 5 light years across and is illuminated by the two hot 10th magnitude B class stars (HD 38563A&B) that appear in front of this dust cloud. For comet hunters of the 18th century, this was an important entry made to the Messier catalog shortly after Pierre Mechan’s discovery in 1780, because it looks very much like a comet. At 1600 light years away this cloud of dust may best be seen without the use of a filter of any kind at least that is from my urban/suburban sky. It shines at about 8th magnitude and is rated as a bright diffuse reflection nebula. A great deal of star formation is taking place in this region. Dark light blocking gas and dust create the sharp edge at the top of the Northwestern margin of the nebula in the sketch. You will find the nebula at R.A. 5h 46.7m: Dec. 0° 3m.
Sketching
Date and Time: 1-25-2009, 1:15-2:00 UT
Scope: 10” f/5.7 Dobsonian. 21 mm Hyperion eyepiece 68x, no filter,
8”x11” white recycled sketching paper, 2H, 2B graphite pencils, blending stump, eraser shield, scanned and inverted, some star magnitude adjustments and background made after scanning using Microsoft Paint.
Temperature: -14°C (7°F), calm, partly cloudy
Seeing: Pickering 4/10
Transparency: Below Average 2/5
Frank McCabe
Frank,
It is better view then in eyepiece! Good job. 😀
Marek
Marek,
Thank you, it looked OK outside when I drew it but after returning indoors and inverting it came out brighter than I saw it in the scope.
Frank