NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 2174 is one of the knots in NGC 2175, which see.

===== NGC 2174 17.5" (1/16/02): at 64x and OIII filter, this is a beautiful, detailed nebulosity surrounding a mag 8 star (SAO 78049), extending at least 20' diameter. The OIII filter gives a dramatic contrast gain. With averted vision and careful viewing, the outer borders extend to ~25'. Structure includes interior streaky dark lanes visible to the west of the star. The rim is slightly brighter or has a higher contrast on the western edge but slightly more nebulosity is visible on the following side of the star. Without a filter at 64x, I was surprised to immediately notice a moderately bright 3' round glow, situated ~11' NNW of SAO 78049 near the NW edge of the main glow. Interestingly, this patch of nebulosity is more prominent than the main body without a filter and is probably the section of the HII complex visually discovered by Stephan! It seemed quite strange that this patch had such a different filter response and dimmed significantly with the OIII (mainly reflection component?). A curving arc of stars is situated along the north side of the glow. The entire nebula is situated among a scattered group of stars, which is often mistaken for NGC 2175. Located 1.4 degrees ENE of Chi(2) Orionis. 17.5" (2/28/87): very large, irregular nebulosity surrounding mag 8.0 SAO 78049. Dark lanes are evident west of the star, appears very streaky. A bright small unresolved knot is 3.2' ENE of the bright star using an OIII filter [this is NGC 2175]. 13" (1/18/85): very bright with filter, very large, surrounds a mag 8 star, sky very dark off west side. West of the star the nebula is mottled and streaky with a bright region near the north edge.