Yes, the Flame is another name, I knew it 1st as the Oak Tree. With a wide enough field you could fit the Oak Tree with the Horsehead, with Alnitak in the field I can see the Oak Tree but have never been able to see the horsehead, at least not to the point I would swear to it.
I do find many objects and stars have different names and meaning depending on who you talk to. Zaurak for example simply means "boat" and some people embellish it with other words. I imagine this is the same for everyone, I would bet I would be more visible without Alnitak, although it probably would not exist without the star. Erik, I've never heard of the oak tree nebula. It sounds like the flame
nebula (NCG 2024) and it does look like a tree. In fact, now that I think of it, I think it resembles a tree more than a flame. If indeed this is the one you are referring to, I just might start calling it the oak tree also!
The flame (or maybe the oak tree), is a relatively easy hit and it is very near Alnitak (zeta Orionis). You do need to put the bright stars (in this case Alnitak) out of the FOV, or you are right, they will overwhelm the very dim DSO's.
Mat
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen@thebluezone.net Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 12:10 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: **SPAM** Score: 7; Re: [Utah-astronomy] Flat Earth Society
The horsehead has a number of challenges. 1st, the star near it will ruin your night vision, the times I have seen it it was found by someone else, dark adaption is the key. Sky conditions are also important, probably important not to have plaque (or was that plague) in your arteries as well.
My 6" f5 refractor frames the N American better than any scope I have looked trough.
I have encountered people that mistake the "oak tree" very near by, for the horsehead.
Erik
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