The Crescent nebula, WR 134, Sh2-104, and the Soap Bubble

[gorann]

This image is from the second night that I aimed at the Wolf-Rayet object WR 134 (first night in the link below). This time with a different framing to include the Crescent nebula, the elusive Soap Bubble (although apparently not elusive for a RASA), and the strong Ha emitting nebula Sh2-104 (near the upper edge of the image). I actually forgot about this Sharpless object so it was cheer luck that it just about ended up within the frame.

As I mentioned in my previous post, WR 134 is a variable Wolf-Rayet star at a distance of about 6000 ly. Its intense wind of radiation pushes out a bubble like structure emitting faint but distinctive Oiii light.

Also the Crescent nebula is a Wolf-Rayet object. It is formed by the fast stellar wind from WR 136 (HD 192163) colliding with and energizing the slower moving wind ejected by the star when it became a red giant around 250,000 to 400,000 years ago. The result of the collision is a shell and two shock waves, one moving outward and one moving inward. The inward moving shock wave heats the stellar wind to X-ray-emitting temperatures (all according to Wikipedia).

The Soap Bubble nebula (aka PN G75.5+1.7) is a planetary nebula discovered as late as 2007 by amateur astronomer Dave Jurasevich using a 6" refractor.

Acquired with two RASA8 with ASI2600MC and IDAS NBZ filter on a Mesu 200 mount. 126 x 5 min = 10.5 hours. Processed in PI and PS (starless processing of course - I used a 50-50 mix of StarNet2 and StarXTerminator).

Cheers, Göran

 

 

[The Admiral]

What a super image Göran, or should I say, "picture". But then, we've come to expect no less . Envious or what .

Ian

[gorann]

32 minutes ago, The Admiral said:

What a super image Göran, or should I say, "picture". But then, we've come to expect no less . Envious or what .

Ian

Thanks a lot Ian, you are too kind!

[Paul M]

That is a stunning image overall but my favorite feature is the Soap Bubble. It seems to be floating across the background image giving a 3D effect!

 

[simmo39]

Wow, just a brilliant image!

[symmetal]

Another winner. Thanks. 😊

Alan

[AstroMuni]

9 hours ago, gorann said:

This image is from the second night that I aimed at the Wolf-Rayet object WR 134 (first night in the link below). This time with a different framing to include the Crescent nebula, the elusive Soap Bubble (although apparently not elusive for a RASA), and the strong Ha emitting nebula Sh2-104 (near the upper edge of the image). I actually forgot about this Sharpless object so it was cheer luck that it just about ended up within the frame.

Great shot as usual. A bit too red for my liking but thats personal choice 🙂

Edited September 12, 2022 by AstroMuni

[gorann]

1 hour ago, AstroMuni said:

Great shot as usual. A bit too red for my liking but thats personal choice 🙂

Thanks, and well the red in the image is primarily hydrogen alpha (Ha) emission since it was captured through a dual band Ha Oiii filter, and Ha is a specific deep-red with a wavelength of 656.28 nm. So why not be slightly true to nature?

Edited September 12, 2022 by gorann

[gorann]

3 hours ago, Paul M said:

That is a stunning image overall but my favorite feature is the Soap Bubble. It seems to be floating across the background image giving a 3D effect!

 

 

2 hours ago, symmetal said:

Another winner. Thanks. 😊

Alan

 

3 hours ago, simmo39 said:

Wow, just a brilliant image!

Thank you guys, very much appreciated!

[tomato]

For sure, there is a lot of red signal there but what about all that  blue as well, very impressive.👍

[gorann]

6 hours ago, tomato said:

For sure, there is a lot of red signal there but what about all that  blue as well, very impressive.👍

Thanks Steve! And yes, a lot of both, which is what the NBZ gave me to work with and I tried to keep some balance.