SH2-216, the ultimate XXL planetary nebula

[stephane zoll]

Hi,

Here is an image of SH2-216 (aka GN 04.41.3, Simeis 288, Marsalkova 44, LBN 742, YM 22, GN 04.41.3), in Perseus, the largest known PN, one of the closest (about 390 light years) and one of the oldest. Its apparent diameter is officially 1.6° (0.5° for the Moon), though here I measure it around 2°...

Composite "LHoO" color image

L = Ha + OIII

R = H-alpha (3h00)

G = OIII (3h00)

B = OIII

Canon 200mm f/2.8L

CCD Atik 4000 & Astrodon Ha and OIII 5nm bandwidth filters.

More infos and full resolution here : SH2-216

This image was one of my top priorities for this winter. It joins my large planetary nebulas collection (to be cont'd): Astrophotographies

Cheers,

[FranckiM06]

Wow, it is great shot Stephane with beautiful colour.

Thank you to share this splendid image with us.

Franck

[West End Wendy]

Wow, that's really something. I'd never heard of it before either.

Tim

[Zul]

amazing!

[SkyJamie]

Brilliant image Stephane i don't think i've seen this one before and your PN collection is awesome

Jamie

[Ags]

One day I shall image this!

[Martin-Devon]

A fantastic image, and a welcome change to see a rather new & challenging target on the forum. Excellent processing, well done.

[ollypenrice]

New to me and mighty fine. Truly so. Bavo.

Olly (Also in the Alps...)

[Black Knight]

New to me as well. Great image Stephane

[stephane zoll]

Thank you !

[RobH]

Excellent.....never knew this one existed!!

Rob

[Mik3]

Very nice, it looks like a hugh jellyfish floating between the stars.

[Tom OD]

And new to me too, super pic. I thought the Helix was the largest PN. Nice collection on your website.

Tom.

[Fenriz]

Really nice image Stephane, another one for the list.

[Shibby]

Amazing image Stephane. I've seen it before, but never with such incredible depth and detail!

[Magnum]

Lovely image, I have never heard of this one either, looks like a good target for my Equinox 66.

Lee

[Beyond_Vision]

Not one I'm familiar with too, thanks for sharing it with us. A very interesting target

Regards

Kevin

[stephane zoll]

Thank you again everyone for your comments.

Sure this giant "jellyfish" is not enough frequently imaged! Probably because one need a large field setup with narrowband filters to get something.

To realise this project, I hade to build a Canon adapter that could receive my filters, with the right backfocus for connection to my Atik camera.

[Tim]

Very very nice Stephane, this is one I shall look out for!

Tim

[steppenwolf]

Nice, I love Sharpless objects but this is a new one to me too - excellent!

[stephane zoll]

Thanks Tim, thanks, Steve.

Regards,

[Looking Up]

Very nice image, smooth and natural looking(if that's possible!), with good colour, good one!

Spencer

[Auntystatic]

Amazing to see the size comparison with the moon, very inspirational.

Dani

[dave_galera]

Yep, new to me as well, and one for the list, fantastic image. There quite few worth imaging in the Sharpless Catalogue, just need to dig them out.

[stephane zoll]

Thank you again.

For your information, my source of inspiration is in particular there:

Telescopes and Deep Sky by Reiner Vogel

with a specific complete list of the largest PNs and other interesting stuff...