Waid Observatory

Object: HH-222 (The Waterfall Nebula)
Date: Jan. 24-25-26-28 Feb. 1-6, 2015 - Location: Denton, TX
Telescope: ATRC12 - Camera: ST10-XME
Exposure: SII = 9.5 hours - Ha = 9.0 hours - OIII = 6 hours (30 min. sub-exposures, Bin 2X2)
Guided using Innovations Foresight On Axis Guider (ONAG)

Click on the image to view at higher resolution.

 

HH 222

 

HH-222 (The Waterfall Nebula)

HH-222 (Herbig-Haro 222) is commonly known as the Waterfall Nebula.  It is located approximately 1,500 light-years from the Earth in the constellation Orion the Hunter.  The origin of this interesting and picturesque nebula is a mystery and continues to be a baffling scientific problem.  One theory is a possible binary system consisting of a white dwarf and a neutron star, or possibly a black hole, with a strong jet of radiation that produces the "waterfall" shape.  Such a system should emit a large amount of X-rays.  This has not been observed in the area of the nebula.  For the time being, more observations and studies are needed to account for this beautiful celestial vista.

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid