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2023, December 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, December 2023 Charles Lillo

SH2-240: the spaghetti nebula

Simeis 147, affectionately known as the "Spaghetti Nebula" or cataloged as Sharpless 2-240, unfold a mesmerizing spectacle. This expansive supernova remnant bears witness to the cataclysmic death throes of a massive star, which, in a bygone era, expelled its outer layers into the interstellar medium. Its ethereal strands of ionized gas and dust, intricately shaped by the forces of the explosion, weave a captivating narrative of cosmic destruction and rebirth.

Approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth, Simeis 147 spans a considerable region of the celestial canvas. Its moniker, the "Spaghetti Nebula," is a fitting tribute to the nebula's intricate filaments and wisps that dance across the vast expanse. This image reflects a harmonious blend of scientific exploration and artistic finesse, capturing the delicate intricacies of a celestial spectacle that bears the indelible mark of stellar evolution.

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2022, January 2022, 2022 Monthly Winners Jason Matter 2022, January 2022, 2022 Monthly Winners Jason Matter

The Spaghetti Nebula -SIMEIS 147- SH2-240

Image Description and Details :

It took me 2 months to acquire enough lights to make anything out of it.

Indeed, I shot 14 winter nights between November and January (5 of which played with my nerves with the fog lifting at nightfall without being able to do anything).

So I shot from the Vosges, I camped in 0 ° C in Alsace, I shot from my astrobro Christope in Moselle, I went south of France to Valensole and I moved on several spots on several nights in this region.A total of 3,600 km of road to acquire the 55 hours of lights retained which consist of:

Tile 1:
Ha -> 71x600 ’’
Oiii -> 78x600 ’’
R G B -> 90x10 '' per filter

Tile 2:Ha -> 94x600 ’’
Oiii -> 78x600 ’’
R G B -> 90x10 '' per filter

While the acquisition was long and complex, so was the processing, I had to work with 400GB of data for a final image of 15 000 x 12 000px.Suffice to say that the PC has smoked!
Once again a big thanks to Christophe who illuminated me with his advices during the processing and gave me invaluable help, thanks also to Nico for his always correct eye!

Technical part:
Takahashi FSQ106 EDX4 with 645-QE super reducerAsi 2600MM Pro
Barilla (Antilla) RGB + H and O 3nm filters
Eq6r-pro
Altaïr 60/225 guide + asi 290mm mini
Sky bortle 3-4

Acquisition: N.I.N.A + Phd2
Processing: Siril + PixInsight + Photoshop

Taken in several parts of France between 2021/11/10 and 2022/01/03

Copyright : Yann SAINTY

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2021, April 2021 Jason Matter 2021, April 2021 Jason Matter

Widefield Auriga

Image Description and Details :

This was shot over the course of 18 nights, spanning 4 months (winter skies in Nashville aren't the greatest). The Canon lens was @ f/4.

The real challenge with this photo came from the Spaghetti Nebula (aka SH2-240, Simeis 147). It's incredibly dim and barely shows up in a single 20 minute sub, which is in stark contrast to brightness of the Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) and Tadpoles Nebula (IC 410, NGC 1893). I had to process this as HDR so that they appeared to have the same brightness.

Imaging lens: Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 USM
Imaging cameras: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ6R-PRO
Guiding telescopes or lenses: ZWO Mini Guide Scope
Guiding cameras: ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInisight · Photoshop CC
Filters: Optlong L-eXtreme 2" · Optolong L-eNhance 2"
Accessory: ZWO AsiAir Pro

Dates:
Dec. 10, 2020, Dec. 11, 2020, Dec. 13, 2020, Dec. 18, 2020, Dec. 21, 2020, Dec. 22, 2020, Jan. 6, 2021, Jan. 13, 2021, Jan. 14, 2021, Feb. 4, 2021, Feb. 8, 2021, March 4, 2021, March 5, 2021, March 7, 2021, March 8, 2021, March 9, 2021, March 10, 2021, March 11, 2021

Frames:
Optolong L-Pro 2'': 40x15" (gain: 100.00) -10C bin 1x1
Optolong L-Pro 2'': 40x30" (gain: 100.00) -10C bin 1x1
Optolong L-Pro 2'': 40x60" (gain: 100.00) -10C bin 1x1
Optolong L-eNhance 2": 143x1200" (gain: 100.00) -10C bin 1x1
Optolong L-eXtreme 2": 56x1200" (gain: 100.00) -10C bin 1x1

Integration: 67.5 hours

Darks: ~40

Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 8.00



Copyright: Jeffrey Horne

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