NGC 2174 (also known as Monkey Head Nebula) is an H II emission nebula located in the constellation Orion and is associated with the open star cluster NGC 2175. It is thought to be located about 6,400 light-years away from Earth. The nebula may have formed through hierarchical collapse.
There is some equivocation in the use of the identifiers NGC 2174 and NGC 2175. These may apply to the entire nebula, to its brightest knot, or to the star cluster it includes. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook lists the entire nebula as 2174/2175 and does not mention the star cluster. The NGC Project (working from the original descriptive notes) assigns NGC 2174 to the prominent knot at J2000 06h 09m 23.7s, +20° 39′ 34″ and NGC 2175 to the entire nebula, and by extension to the star cluster. Simbad uses NGC 2174 for the nebula and NGC 2175 for the star cluster.

Imaging telescopes or lenses: Williams Optics Megrez 72
Imaging cameras: Starlight Xpress SXVR-H9
Mounts: Sky-Watcher HEQ5 PRO
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Williams Optics Megrez 72
Guiding cameras: Starlight Xpress CoStar
Focal reducers: William Optics FF/FR VI
Software: PixInsight 1.8, PHD guiding, Nebulosity 3, EQMac
Filters: Astrodon 3nm OIII, Astrodon Ha 5nm
Accessories: Starlight Xpress Mini Filter wheel
Dates: Jan. 25, 2014, Jan. 26, 2014
Frames:
Astrodon 3nm OIII: 10×1800″ -20C
Astrodon Ha 5nm: 10×1800″ -20C
Integration: 10.0 hours

Author: Epicycle

AstroPhotography of the day by SPONLI
30 April 2014