17 x 360 sec this time
ISO 1600
HUTECH MODIFIED CANON XTi
(Canon Rebel XTi (400DH) spectrum enhanced camera with built-in astronomical UV/IR blocking filter (Type Ib) )
Meade 80ED (f6 with .8 Focal Reducer) on Top CGE1100
Guiding PhD
Inital processing with Image Plus and Developed with PhotoShop CS3

The red glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust.
The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434) is a dark nebula in the Orion constellation. The Flame Nebula is located just below Alnitak, the star furthest left on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion molecular cloud complex. It is approximately 1,500 light years from Earth, and is approximately 3.5 light years wide.
Alnitak excites and heats up the gases in the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) causing it to glow showing unique and beautiful colours. The dark central area in the Flame Nebula is caused by a lane of dust in the foreground.