Alves 2: A Dark Nebula in Taurus

Image Title: Alves 2

Copyright: Brendan Kinch

Date image was taken: January 02, 2025

Location: Backyard - Cartagena, Spain.

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Image Description and Details: Alves 2 is an ISM nebula in Auriga with a very intriguing structure. It was discovered in 2013 by Filipe Alves. If one goes searching for information about this object, you will find nothing. No HASH, no PNnet, etc. This is one of those objects that doesn't really fit the box for anything that can be catalogued for amateurs. In fact there are also very few images of it. A rare capture!

Equipment Details:​Imaging telescope:​ Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging camera: ASI 2600MM
Mount: JTW Trident P75
​Guiding telescope: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding camera: QHY 5 II
Focal Extender / Reducer: 0.73X
Software: Sequence Generator Pro SGP (for capture) PHD 2 (guiding), Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight.
Filters: Astrodon Ha (3nm), Astrodon OIII (3nm), Astrodon RGB.
Frames:
Astrodon Ha 120 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 120 x 600"
Astrodon RGB 3 x 60 x 60"
Total integration = 43 Hours.

Name: Brendan Kinch

Website or Facebook Profile: https://www.astrokin.com/alves-2.html