The Fly and The Spider Nebulae

Entwined in the constellation Auriga, the Spider Nebula (IC 417) and its smaller companion, the Fly Nebula (NGC 1931), form a fascinating pair of emission nebulae approximately 10,000 light-years away. The Spider’s sprawling, web-like filaments are regions of active star formation, shaped by stellar winds and radiation from its young, massive stars. Nearby, the compact Fly Nebula glows brightly, its core a mix of reflection and emission nebulae surrounding a dense cluster of newborn stars.

Captured from Strakonice, Czech Republic, these nebulae present a stunning contrast: the Spider’s sprawling, diffuse arms versus the Fly’s bright, concentrated glow. Together, they illustrate the dynamic processes at work in stellar nurseries, where gravity and radiation sculpt the interstellar medium into these complex, ethereal forms. Despite the light pollution, their intricate beauty shines through as a testament to the creativity of the cosmos.

Location: Upper AustriaPhoto taken on: December 2021Distance: 7500 light yearsExposure: RGB each 11 x 300 sec.Luminance: 30 x 300 sec.H-alpha: 51 x 900 sec.O-III: 25 x 900 sec.S-II: 58 x 900 sec.Total: 38.7 hoursCalibration: Darks / Flats / DarkFlatsMount: Skywatcher EQ6-R PROTelescope: Lacerta Fotonewton 250/1000Corrector: Lacerta GPU coma correctorFilter: Antlia LRGB-V ProAntlia 3nm Pro H-AlphaAntlia 3nm Pro O-IIIAntlia 3nm Pro S-IICamera: QHY268m @ Gain 0/60 at -15 ° CGuiding: QHY OAG with QHY5III462c and PHD2Software: APP / Photoshop CC

Copyright: Daniel Nimmervoll