NGC 1579 (Trifid of the North) resembles the better known Trifid Nebula, but lies much farther north in the constellation Perseus. Like the Trifid, NGC 1579 is a dusty star forming region providing contrasting emission and reflection nebulae in the same field. Dark dust lanes are prominent in the nebula's central regions.

Beside NGC 1579 a second reflection nebula is visible: IC 2067 = CED 36 (small blue reflection nebula north of NGC 1579). The dark nebula is LDN1482.  

IMAGE DETAILS:

• Date & Location:  December 2nd & 3rd, 2011 - Bernville, PA

• Weather:  Calm wind, average temperature 25F and 28F.

• Sky Conditions:  Clear with average transparency after moonset.

• SQM-L: Average Start 20.30 both nights.

• Optics:  TeleVue NP101is Refractor with 1.5x extender (810mm f8.1)

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

• Mount:  AstroPhysics AP900GTO

• Guiding:  Tracked, but not guided.

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

• Exposure:  6 & 8 minutes subs @ ISO800 total 6hrs 48 minutes

• Calibration Frames:  none...near freezing

• Processing:  Images Plus 3.82, PS CS4, Noise Ninja, GradientXTerminator, NIK 

• Comments:  Although I seemed to capture plenty of sub-exposures, excessive light-pollution made it difficult to separate the signal from the noise. I may try to reprocess this image once better processing skills are learned.