M78 - Less McNeil

This image of M78 shows that McNeil's nebula has faded now substantially. (it is not visible in this image.)

I have attached a mid size image, but you may want to look at the full size image since the mid size does not provide much of a view. Full size image and exposure, processing details are at:

http://jthommes.com/Astro/M78.htm

Scope was my Megrez II at f/5, Camera was my Artemis285. Time L:R:G:B 76:16:16:16

You can compare McNeil to an earlier image of 12 Nov, 2004 here:

http://jthommes.com/MiscAstro/Archives/M78.htm

Attached Image:

Isn't it amazing that a nebula can change that fast!

Tom

Thanks for the lesson! Wow, that's really fascinating!

Excellent work, as usual Jim! 8)
Thank you!

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yeah, amazing that one year its there and the next its not. I had heard rumors that McNeil's Nebula was captured in some archival 1966 image. It would sure be interesting to see that. I guess if a nebula is excited by a variable star it will be variable as well? Anyway, this one seems like an extraordinarily long cycle if thats what it is.