IC 2118, The Witch Head Nebula

IC 2118

The Witch Head Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	02/08/2008
Location Imaged From	Barking Pumpkin Observatory, Tierra del Sol , CA
Equipment	Telescope: Orion 80ED Mount: LX 200 on an Ulti-wedge Camera: Canon Digital Rebel, Modified Focal Ratio: f/7.5
Exposure Information	2 frame mosaic, each frame was 24 X 300 seconds
IC 2118 (also known as Witch Head Nebula due to its shape), is believed to be an ancient supernova remnant or gas cloud illuminated by nearby supergiant Rigel in Orion. It lies in the Eridanus constellation, about 1000 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.