Higher-resolution versions:  1280 x 1024  1680 x 1050  1880 x 1175

Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Perseus
Magnitude:
Size: 12'

NGC 1579 is crossed by dust lanes which give it a resemblance to M20, the Trifid Nebula. The smaller nebula in the left side of the image is IC 2079.

Equipment: Meade 14" LX200R/STL-11000M/Astrodon RGB filters/Paramount ME
F-ratio: f/9.5
Exposures: LRGB:  L 12 x 10 minutes, binned 2x2: R 12 x 10 minutes: G 12 x 10 minutes: B 12 x 10 minutes: RGB binned 3x3
Date: January 28 and 29 and February 4 and 5, 2011
Location: Landers, California, USA
Technical Notes: Individual exposures were obtained using CCDAutoPilot2 and then sigma combined. The RGB image was created in Registar 1.0. A high-pass filter with a radius of 4 pixels was applied to the bright portions of the luminance image. Reduce Noise was applied to the RGB image and the dim portions of the luminance image. A copy of the RGB image was recombined twice with the original using Soft Light to enhance color.