M78 (bottom) and NGC 2071 (top) are two concentrations of interstellar dust 1600 light years away in the constellation of Orion.  The blue reflection nebula dimly reflect the blue light of nearby young stars.  Other various colors indicated some hydrogen and other gases that are excited to higher energy states, which then glow dimly.  Both nebulae are found east of the Orion belt star Alnitak and are part of the vast Orion Complex of dust and gas. 

IMAGE DETAILS:

• Date & Location:  January 10, 2010  - Bernville, PA

• Weather:  Calm, 17F.

• Sky Conditions:  Clear with above average transparency. 

• Optics:  TeleVue NP101is Refractor with 0.8x TeleVue Reducer = 432mm @ f4.3

• Filter:  Astronomic  EOS clip-in CLS-CCD (Light Pollution Suppression)

• Mount:  Losmandy G-11 equatorial with Gemini V4

• Guiding:  Orion Solitaire w/TeleVue TV60is

• Camera:  Canon T1i (500D) Hap Griffin Modified - Baader UV/IR

• Exposure:  40 min (5 x 8 min) @ ISO 800 RAW

• Calibration Frames:  No dark frame subtraction (17F)

• Processing:  Photoshop CS4, Noise Ninja, NIK, Noel Carboni Astronomy Tools

• Comments:  This  is a target more probably better suited to a 12" aperture scope or larger in order to reveal the more subtle filament details, but overall I am pleased with my first attempt at capturing and processing this image.  Image is a 100% crop from original capture.