SH2-276 - Barnard's Loop

The constellation Orion features one of the larrgest emission nebaule in the entire sky, SH2-276, or more commonly known as Barnard's loop. Barnard's loop, which was discovered by E.E. Barnard around the year 1900, was likely formed by a series of supernova explosions approximately 3 million years ago. This emission nebula is located about 1600 light years from Earth and measures approximately 300 light years across.

The H-Alpha information in this image was captured by shooting through a Baader 7nm narrowband H-Alpha filter.

Also visible in his image are M42, the Great Orion nebula and the Horsehead nebula.

Image Specifications:

     •  Instrument:  Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 @ f1.8
     •  Camera:  Canon 20Da
     •  Filters:  Baader H-Alpha 7nm Narrowband Filter
     •  Mount:  Losmandy GM-8 Equatorial
     •  Guiding:  SBIG STV Autoguider with Vixen 400mm Guidescope
     •  Time / Date :  January 8, 2006, 8:30PM EST
     •  Location:  Coyle Field, NJ
     •  Weather:  Clear, 40degF
     •  Primary Exposure :  20 x 5min, ISO 1600, RAW, average combined
     •  Calibration Frames:  16 x 5min, ISO 1600, RAW, average combined
     •  Image Processing :  Images Plus, Photoshop CS2, NoiseNinja