NGC 2070 - Tarantula Nebula

It took me a long time to get back to this object. My first attempt was as a beginner in 2008.  Just for laughs I have included my original image from 2008 at the bottom of the page.

I have included 2 images of this system. The first image shown is the full dynamic image. There are so many stars, it is hard to see all of the nebula structure in the region, so I also included a modified image where I have faded the stars to reveal more of the nebula. Click on the arrows on either side of the image to toggle between the alternative images.

The image was shot through my Esprit 120mm OTA using the QHY268c colour camera. Exposures: 20 x 600s and 20 x 240s, processed in PixInsight and Photoshop.

NGC 2070 is  located in the Large Magellanic Cloud approximately 157,000 light years away. On a clear night, at the right time of the year, you can see the Small and Large Magellanic clouds in the Southern skies with your naked eyes. To the naked eye they do look like two small faint clouds.  

My original attempt back in 2008 when I was just an astrophotography newbie.