Nebula

SH2-91, located in the constellation Cygnus, is a fascinating supernova remnant lying about 6,000 light-years from Earth. This celestial object is the aftermath of a massive stellar explosion, where the outer layers of a dying star were ejected into space, creating a cloud of ionized gas and debris. The remnant is part of the Sharpless catalog of H II regions, though its nature as a supernova remnant distinguishes it from the more commonly known emission nebulae in this catalog.

SH2-91 is sometimes referred to as “The Other Veil in Cygnus”, because a much brighter and popular supernova remnant called the Veil Nebula also resides in Cygnus.

This particular image is a 5-panel mosaic and only captures a small portion of the entire faint structure. The supernova that created SH2-91 is thought to have occurred several thousand years ago, and the remnant’s structure is shaped by the shockwaves from the explosion. These shockwaves interact with surrounding gas and dust, creating a complex, expanding shell of material. SH2-91 is relatively faint and not immediately visible to the naked eye, but it can be detected in deeper observations, where it appears as a faint, diffuse glow.

Located about 4,700 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, the Soap Bubble Nebula (not to be confused with NGC 7635 – The Bubble Nebula) is a fascinating and elusive structure within the larger star-forming region surrounding the Crescent Nebula. This faint and delicate nebula gets its name from its nearly spherical shape, resembling a cosmic soap bubble floating in space.

The Soap Bubble Nebula is the result of a stellar wind from a massive star, WR 136, which is also responsible for the Crescent Nebula nearby. This hot, young Wolf-Rayet star has been shedding its outer layers of gas and dust for millions of years, creating a bubble of ionized gas and dust that expands outward into space. The intense radiation from WR 136 lights up the surrounding gas, giving the nebula its faint, glowing edges.

What makes the Soap Bubble Nebula intriguing is its relatively small size and its dim, ghostly glow. Despite being a part of the more famous Crescent Nebula complex, the Soap Bubble remains a challenge to observe, requiring long exposures and advanced imaging techniques to capture its faint structure.

Located roughly 3,300 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, let’s set our sights on a particularly stunning reflection nebula known as NGC 7129. NGC 7129 isn’t your average nebula. Unlike its emission nebula cousins that produce their own light, NGC 7129 reflects the light from a young, energetic star cluster at its heart.

The star cluster within NGC 7129 is an infant in stellar terms. Most of its member stars are estimated to be less than a million years old. These stellar newborns are actively sculpting their surroundings, blasting away at the surrounding gas and dust with their strong stellar winds. This stellar sculpting has formed a cavity within the nebula, giving it a distinctive rosebud-like appearance.

The nebula is faint and small. Imaging this beauty requires a significant amount of time to capture the intricate details.

The Spider Nebula, also referenced as IC 417 and SH2-234, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. It’s an example of a stellar nursery, where new stars are being born. Some of the more famous nebula are also stellar nurseries, including the Orion Nebula, the Lagoon Nebula, theEagle Nebula, and the Trifid Nebula.

Located roughly 10,000 light-years away, IC 417 is a spectacular emission nebula. Emission nebulae are clouds of gas and dust that glow due to the energetic radiation from young, hot stars embedded within them. In the case of IC 417, these stars are responsible for illuminating the surrounding gas and sculpting it into wispy tendrils and pillars.