B30
Dark Nebula in Orion
About
A dust cloud in Orion, north of the star Lambda Orionis (Meissa) and inside the Lambda Orionis Ring, about 1,300 light-years away. It holds Herbig-Haro objects, young stars and brown dwarfs, and its stars are only 2–3 million years old.
Imaging tips
- At 1210–2020 mm on APS-C (1860–3090 mm full frame) the 20×15′ cloud fits a frame.
- A dark nebula, so use broadband; it shows as dust blocking the stars behind it.
- The reflection nebula in the region is a second subject for a wider or deeper frame.
- Best in November and December; it peaks near 53° altitude from 50°N.
- One imager framed it with B31, B32 and the reflection nebula Cederblad 51 in a field about 2×1.3°, using 10-minute L and RGB subs plus Hα: five hours at f/3.6.
Facts
- Size
- 20′ × 15′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 5h 30.3m, Dec +12° 46′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1210–2020 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 1860–3090 mm
- Best months
- Nov, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 53° from 50°N, 68° from 35°N