Boogeyman Nebula shot with Pleiades 68

Alot of astrophotographers focus on bright, well-known celestial objects like the Orion Nebula or the Andromeda Galaxy, there are deep-sky treasures that often go unnoticed. One such object is the Boogeyman Nebula (LDN 1622) - a dark nebula located near Barnard’s Loop in the constellation Orion. Unlike emission nebulae that shine brightly in the night sky, dark nebulae are vast clouds of interstellar dust that obscure background stars, creating eerie, shadowy shapes.

Details for the Boogeyman Nebula shot with Pleiades 68

Even though Trevor Jones is an experienced astrophotographer and content creator known for his work on AstroBackyard, capturing the Boogeyman Nebula was a challenge for him. To do so, he embarked on a journey far from home, traveling to the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys, a haven for stargazers looking to escape the cold and embrace pristine dark skies.

This article details Trevor's experience, the technical aspects of capturing the Boogeyman Nebula, the challenges of processing the data, and the broader significance of photographing dark nebulae. It also delves into the astrophotography equipment he used and offers insights into why deep-sky astrophotography is both exhilarating and challenging.

For the second year in a row, Trevor traveled from Toronto, Canada, to the Florida Keys to attend the Winter Star Party (WSP), an annual gathering of astrophotographers and stargazers in one of the best astronomical locations in the United States. This trip was not just a casual getaway but a mission to photograph a target he could not properly capture from home.

The journey started with a flight from Toronto to Miami, where Trevor and his team landed amidst much milder weather than the harsh winter back home. Snowstorms in Canada had threatened to delay flights, but luckily, they made it without any major issues. Unlike typical tourists, their luggage was unusually heavy, not because of clothing or vacation essentials but due to the camera gear, telescope, and tracking equipment packed carefully for the trip.

With a Subaru Outback rented for the journey, they made their way to Camp Sawyer, the designated site for the Winter Star Party. Located right on the ocean, the site offered breathtaking views of the sky, but it also presented challenges, notably strong coastal winds that could destabilize delicate astrophotography setups.

William Optics Pleiades 68 specifications

• SKU Number: WYO-T-P-68BU
• Model Number: T-P-68BU
• Telescope Series: William Optics Pleiades
• Focal Ratio: f/3.8
• Optical Design: Refractor
• Telescope Aperture: 68mm (2.67")
• Telescope Mount Type: No Mount - OTA Only
• Type of Electronics: OTA Only - No Electronics
• Number of Refractor Elements: 7 (Septuplet)
• Focal Length: 260mm
• Image Circle: 48mm
• Focuser Style: Rack & Pinion
• Focuser Speed: Dual Speed
• Telescope OTA Weight: 6.57 lb.
• Refractor OTA Length - Extended: 410mm
• Refractor OTA Length - Retracted: 366mm
• Warranty: William Optics - 2 Years
   

The Boogeyman Nebula: A hidden gem in Orion

The Boogeyman Nebula (LDN 1622) is an often-overlooked deep-sky object near Orion. While Orion is famous for iconic structures like the Horsehead Nebula, the Orion Nebula (M42), and M78, the Boogeyman Nebula remains in the shadows, both literally and figuratively.

Dark nebulae like LDN 1622 do not emit light; instead, they are composed of dense molecular dust that blocks the light from background stars and emission nebulae. This makes them harder to detect than their glowing counterparts. Their beauty lies in their complex structures, as they appear as silhouettes against brighter backgrounds.

The Boogeyman Nebula is part of a larger, dusty region within Orion, surrounded by other nebulae such as:

• Barnard’s Loop - A large, circular emission nebula that spans much of Orion.
• Messier 78 (M78) - A bright reflection nebula nearby.
• LDN 1621 - A neighboring dark nebula.
   

Because of the high brightness of surrounding objects, the Boogeyman Nebula is often ignored in favor of more photogenic targets. However, Trevor was drawn to it precisely because it was challenging and had an eerie, ghostly appearance that made it unique.

For this journey, Trevor carefully selected a wide-field astrophotography setup that would balance portability with power. Given that he was flying to Florida, he needed a telescope that could fit into his carry-on luggage.

Telescope: William Optics Pleiades 68

• Focal length: 260mm
• Aperture: f/3.8
• Wide-field capabilities perfect for large nebulae.
   

Mount: ZWO AM5 strain wave mount

• Portable but powerful for long-exposure tracking.
• Sturdy and reliable, crucial in the windy conditions of the Florida Keys.
   

Tripod: Collapsible carbon fiber tripod

• Lightweight yet stable - an essential factor when traveling.
   

To improve stability, Trevor added a bag filled with bricks - a simple but effective method to prevent wind-induced vibrations.

For imaging, Trevor relied on a full-frame camera sensor to capture a large field of view. The ASI 2600MC Air was used, which eliminated the need for additional guide cameras, separate computers, and excessive cabling. This streamlined setup allowed for more efficient imaging while traveling.

After capturing 10 hours of total exposure time, Trevor began the post-processing phase, which presented significant challenges:

• Extracting Detail from Darkness - Since dark nebulae don’t emit their own light, the image needed aggressive stretching to bring out faint structures.
• Balancing Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) Emission - The region surrounding the Boogeyman Nebula, especially Barnard’s Loop, was intensely pink in raw data. Trevor had to carefully adjust the color balance to achieve a deep red hue instead.
• Minimizing Star Halos and Glows - The bright stars in Orion caused significant star glow, which required manual removal techniques to prevent the image from looking artificial.
   

Through advanced astrophotography processing techniques, including star removal, color calibration, and noise reduction, Trevor was able to produce a stunning final image showcasing the Boogeyman Nebula, Barnard’s Loop, and M78 in intricate detail.

One might wonder - why travel all the way to Florida to capture this image? The answer lies in light pollution and atmospheric conditions.

• Bortle Scale Advantage - The Winter Star Party is held in a Bortle Class 3 location, meaning minimal light pollution and a pristine sky.
• Altitude and Transparency - Orion rises higher in the sky at this location, reducing the amount of atmosphere the light must pass through.
• Seeing Conditions - Being at the southernmost point in the U.S., the location also provides views of objects not visible from Canada, including the Southern Cross and Centaurus A.
   

Would you attempt to photograph the Boogeyman Nebula? Let us know in the comments!