IC 423 - Reflection Nebula
IC 423 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion at a distance of 1,500 light-years. It is located in the middle of Orion's belt and is just 27' away
from the 2.4mag bright star "Mintaka". The nebula was discovered in 1888 by Wilhelmina Fleming on photographic plates. With an apparent size of
5.5x3.5' (arcminutes) the true size can be determined to 2.4x1.5 light-years.
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Due to its low surface brightness, the observation of the nebula is not easy even with my 20" f/3 telescope. At 120x in combination with an UHC-S filter
(which works well for reflection nebulae), I could initially see an oval nebula. With time, the center appeared slightly darker and the nebula in the northern
part a little brighter. The shape reminds a bit of a teardrop.
Another very faint nebula spot can be seen directly to the west. It flashes out of the darkness with averted vision every now and then.
