M78

Big dust cloud first observed and documented by Méchain in 1780 and included by Messier in his catalogue d'objets du ciel profond the same year. Still not much joy with the telescope mounting but at least I've got it predictable again after over tightening the DEC push-pull mechanism. Still, the good old EQ6 holding up now 13 years. But OMG, this one really is faint. Am gonna need double the time. Reyes today and cloudy, so at least not tonight...

extract from A New General Catalogue of 1888 showing the attribution to Méchain

reflection nebula M78 illuminated by stars hd38563a and b in orion
700d + nt150s   30x120s @ ISO800

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