Object Description: A supernova remnant located about 900 light years away in the constellation Eridanus, IC2118 is a faint reflection nebula being sculpted by strong winds from the blue supergiant star Rigel (not seen in this image). The dust cloud is scattering the light from Rigel, the blue color is a result of Rayleigh scattering. The shape of the cloud strongly suggests the face of an old crone, hence the popular moniker "Witch Head Nebula".

Telescope: Takahashi FSQ106N
Camera: Canon 40D non-modified
Mount: ParamountME unguided
Filters: none

Date Taken: 31JAN2008
Location: Lot4, Arcturus Way, Sacramento Mountains Astronomy Park, Weed, NM
Sky Conditions: transparency 4/5, seeing 3/5
Image Acquisition: 24x300s, iso800 using ImagesPlus 3.5

Image Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80 used for reduction, normalizing, grading, alignment, SigMed combine, initial DDP, color balance. PSCS4 used for levels, curves, and color enhancement. GradX for gradient compensation and background equalization.