IC 2118 (also known as Witch Head Nebula due to its shape), is an extremely faint reflection nebula believed to be an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by nearby supergiant star Rigel in Orion. It lies in the Eridanus constellation, about 900 light-years from Earth. The nature of the dust particles, reflecting blue light better than red, is a factor in giving the Witch Head its blue color. Radio observations show substantial carbon monoxide emission throughout parts of IC 2118 an indicator of the presence of molecular clouds and star formation in the nebula. In fact candidates for pre-main sequence stars and some classic T-Tauri stars have been found deep within the nebula.
Imaging telescopes or lenses: Vixen ED80Sf
Imaging cameras: Canon EOS 350D mod. Baader
Mounts: Vixen Sphinx SXW
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Lunático Astronomia EZG60
Guiding cameras: QHYCCD QHY5 color
Focal reducers: 0.85x Reducer & Corrector for Vixen ED80/600
Software: Incanus APT – Astro Photography Tool, Pleiades Astrophoto Pixinsight Core 1.8
Resolution: 3000×2290
Dates: Jan. 11, 2015
Frames: 18×300″ ISO800
Integration: 1.5 hours
Darks: ~15
Flats: ~50
Bias: ~50
Avg. Moon age: 19.99 days
Avg. Moon phase: 72.13%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 3.00
RA center: 76.242 degrees
DEC center: -6.991 degrees
Pixel scale: 2.533 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 0.447 degrees
Field radius: 1.327 degrees
Locations: Finca “Los Lastrones” (1270 m) – Cebreros, Cebreros, Avila, Spain
Author: Angelillo