IC 434 - Horsehead Nebula

Object: IC 434 Dark nebula in Orion. The profile of a horse's head is formed by dark intervening dust obscuring a reef of excited hydrogen gas glowing bright red. The frame is 9' x 13' with north to the left.

Exposure: LRGB with 50:80:70:70 min.
Scope: Planewave CDK20, EFL = 3420 mm
Mount: Software Bisque Paramount ME
Camera: ST8XME (0.54"/pixel) with cooling set to -10C
Guiding: Self guide with AO8 at 7Hz
Acquisition and Processing: MaxIm DL/CCD v5
Imaged on: Nov 5-9th, 2010
Imaged from: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia