Starship Asterisk*

Orion over the Central Bohemian Highlands

Explanation: Do you recognize this constellation? Setting past the Central Bohemian Highlands in the Czech Republic is Orion, one of the most identifiable star groupings on the sky and an icon familiar to humanity for over 30,000 years. Orion has looked pretty much the same during this time and should continue to look the same for many thousands of years into the future. Prominent Orion is high in the sky at sunset this time of year, a recurring sign of (modern) winter in Earth's northern hemisphere and summer in the south. The featured picture is a composite of over thirty images taken from the same location and during the same night last month. Below and slightly to the left of Orion's three-star belt is the Orion Nebula, while four of the bright stars surrounding the belt are, clockwise, Sirius (far left, blue), Betelgeuse (top, orange, unusually faint), Aldebaran (far right), and Rigel (below). As future weeks progress, Orion will set increasingly earlier.

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It's interesting that the picture was taken last month. Betelgeuse looks bright.

Ann

Stunning detail in this image.

Ann wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:57 am It's interesting that the picture was taken last month. Betelgeuse looks bright.

Ann

A lot of how a picture looks depends on how the image is processed. He might have brightened it in post to give it more punch. The camera’s imager could be more sensitive to red light. Lots of things can be done.
Astronomical images rarely show exactly what the eye would see.

Especially striking picture, for the nebulae (?) in an arc to the left of Orion's Belt and above Aldebaran.
Are these ever visible naked-eye, even in a really dark sky?

John

Ann wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:57 am It's interesting that the picture was taken last month. Betelgeuse looks bright.

Ann

I was thinking the same thing, and yet the article states it's unusually faint. Hmmm.

What an awesome image... I was looking at Orion when i went out this evening as it passes by to the south...just over the trees... it is awesome on a clear, moonless, February night.

:---[===] *

very nicely photographed!Kudos to Vojtach!

JohnD wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 8:51 am Are these ever visible naked-eye, even in a really dark sky?

John

The brightest patch of Orion's nebula is, even from a slightly light polluted sky.

Ann wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:57 am It's interesting that the picture was taken last month. Betelgeuse looks bright.

This image has been seriously manipulated to present a huge dynamic range. I wouldn't put much confidence in any sort of brightness comparisons between different stars or different sections.

GeoX wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 7:58 am ...
Astronomical images rarely show exactly what the eye would see.

Down in a cave, they shine UV so you can see fluorescence of the rock. If you complain it is not what the rock really looks like, they turn out all the lights to show you.

heehaw wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 3:18 pm

GeoX wrote: ↑Tue Feb 18, 2020 7:58 am ...
Astronomical images rarely show exactly what the eye would see.

Down in a cave, they shine UV so you can see fluorescence of the rock. If you complain it is not what the rock really looks like, they turn out all the lights to show you.

I love it.

But...... we see the stars at night, BECAUSE all the light has been turned off.