Object: IC
2118 Witch Head Nebula in Eridanus
Equipment: Takahashi
FSQ-106N on EM-200; SBIG STL-11000M, Astrodon filters; Vixen 70X600
guidescope
Exposure/Processing: RGB - 3 x 600s;
Luminance - 3 x 600s; Images acquistion/processing in MaximDL ad
Photoshop.
Location/Date: 07-08 October 2010;
Chiefland Astronomy Village
Comment: IC
1318 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 color.
The molecular clouds of IC
2118 are probably juxtaposed to the outer boundaries of the vast
Orion-Eridanus bubble, a giant supershell of molecular hydrogen
blown by the high mass stars of the Orion OB1 association. As the
supershell expands into the interstellar medium favorable
circumstances for star formation occur. IC 2118 is located in one
such area (from Wikipedia entry). |
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