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Monkey Head Nebula NGC 2174

The Monkey Head Nebula, NGC 2174, in the constellation Orion, is 6,400 light years away and has a diameter of 16 to 40 light years, depending where you measure it. Stars are being formed there, some much bigger and brighter than our sun. The brighter stars emit sufficient UV radiation to ionize gases, causing them to glow, and in combination with dark dust, make complex structures.

 

Bob Maynard encouraged me to take up astrophotography, and today, while showing me how to put the finishing touches on this shot, helped me take a big step in processing.

 

Equipment

ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo air astrocamera,

ZWO Harmonic Mount AM5N

Photron 6 inch Ritchey Chretien telescope

ASIAIR Plus computer

Optolong -L- Quad Enhance Filter

Ipad Mini

Software: Pixinsight, Photoshop, Topaz Denoise AI, Nik

 

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Uploaded on March 17, 2026