The Sword of Orion
The sword of Orion; at centre is the great nebula in Orion, Messier 42. Click on image for a fullscreen version.
Below: A deeper view made with the same scope at a shorter focal length. The open cluster at top is NGC 1981. Click for a fullscreen version.
Some of the finer, fainter structures in this complex are perhaps best seen in an inverted, 'negative' view; click thumbnail below for larger images.
Below, a close-up view of the Trapezium group at the heart of M42.
11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope; astro-modified DSLR and dedicated astro cameras.
