NGC2420 in moonlight

[rbrecher]

NGC2420 is another example of what I consider to be a perfect target for a brightly moonlit night.  For one thing, it isn't well known.  It is in Gemini, where it is overshadowed by M35/NGC2158.  Secondly, it is bright enough to make a pretty picture in a fairly short time.  Third, there's little or no nebulosity to be washed out by the Moon (although I'm sure fainter stars would show in a darker sky).

I acquired this image on Saturday night (March 19, 2016) and, other than a big Moon, conditions were pretty good.  I would normally make the background a little brighter, but this is hiding a skeleton in the closet -- a dust donut in the green channel that wasn't getting properly removed by flat fielding.  After eliminating all other options, I removed the camera and cleaned the filters (they were pretty dirty after more than 2 years).  I also took this opportunity to bake the desiccant plug, which also hasn't been done for more than 2 years.  It's a good time for this -- full moon, clouds, snow and rain all in the forecast!

 

Note - this is the first time I've tried embedding links right in the text of a post. If you have an opinion about this (i.e. if you'd like me just to type the link rather than embedding it), let me know.

 

Clear skies,
Ron