Tag: Serpens

The Eagle in Hydrogen Alpha

I have been processing more images from this last week. This one is another classic nebula, the Eagle. The nebula, also known as M16 or NGC 6611 can be found in thick regions of of our galactic core towards the constellation of Serpens.

The eponymous eagle can be seen near the center of the brightest region, a structure of darker material likely held together by the gravity of objects inside it. In this case those objects would be forming stars, or protostars, the result of the dust and gas being drawn together under the influence of gravity.

I have a full set of color filters, once I have had fun re-doing many of these classic nebulae in hydrogen alpha I will probably begin doing full color versions. Color takes a lot more exposure time and much more processing. There are techniques to add H-alpha data to an RGB image to get more definition in the nebula structure, something I have not done and should probably figure out.

The Eagle Nebula M16 in Hydrogen Alpha
The Eagle Nebula M16 in Hydrogen Alpha

Sh2-54 in Hydrogen Alpha

Sharpless 2-54 is an often overlooked nebula complex just 2° north of the far more famous Eagle Nebula M16. It is actually part of the same nebula complex the stretches from M17 through M16 to Sh2-54 and beyond. The nebula is much fainter, with not much appreciable without a camera attached to the telescope, thus the complex is not as well known.

The star cluster NGC6604 is found within the nebula, a collection of young stars recently formed from these clouds of gas and dust. In the photo here the cluster is seen just down and right of image center.

Again this image is taken through a hydrogen alpha filter to best show the wisps of glowing gas among the stars.

The nebula complex Sharpless 2-54 in Serpens in Hydrogen Alpha
The nebula complex Sharpless 2-54 in Serpens in Hydrogen Alpha