The Dolphin's Head Nebula (Sh2-308) is an emission nebula located in the constellation Canis Major, approximately 4,500 light-years away. This bubble-shaped nebula is created by the strong stellar winds from the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris (WR 6), a massive, dying star in the final stages of its life.

The nebula spans about 60 light-years across, with its faint glow originating from ionized hydrogen gas illuminated by the ultraviolet radiation of the central star. Sh2-308 is an example of a Wolf-Rayet bubble, a structure formed when stellar winds sweep up the surrounding material. It is a fleeting structure in astronomical terms, lasting only a few hundred thousand years before dissipating into space.

Sh2-308, affectionately known as the Dolphin Head Nebula, dances gracefully amidst the tapestry of the cosmos, captivating astronomers with its ethereal beauty and enigmatic allure. This celestial wonder, located in the constellation of Canis Major, beckons stargazers to embark on a journey of cosmic exploration.

The Dolphin Head Nebula derives its name from its distinctive shape, which bears a striking resemblance to the graceful form of a leaping dolphin. This nebula, composed of glowing hydrogen gas illuminated by nearby stars, offers a glimpse into the tumultuous processes of stellar birth and evolution.

Sh2-308 emerges as a stellar nursery, where a symphony of ionized gas and dust paints a celestial portrait against the backdrop of Aquila's cosmic expanse. The nebula's intriguing moniker, the Dolphin Head Nebula, stems from its distinct shape, which bears a resemblance to the playful form of a leaping dolphin against the canvas of the night sky.

The Dolphin Head Nebula comes to life through the brilliance of newborn stars illuminating the surrounding interstellar medium. The interplay of light and shadow within the nebula's intricate structure weaves a tale of stellar birth and the ongoing dance of cosmic forces.

Situated approximately 5,000 light-years away, Sh2-308 stands as a testament to the vast and dynamic nature of our galactic neighborhood. As observers gaze upon this celestial dolphin, they are reminded of the boundless creativity at play in the cosmos, where nature's artistry manifests in the intricate details of a nebular realm.

Image Description and Details : SH2-308 - commonly dubbed as the Dolphin-Head Nebula by astrophotographers - a HII region located near the center of the constellation Canis Major.

It is thought to have formed about 70,000 years ago by the ejection of the outer layers of the star EZ Canis Majoris.

Data credit : Aygen Erkaslan / Telescope Live
Date : 2022-2023
Location : El Sauce Obs, Chile
Scope : CDK 24" (F/6.8)
Camera : FLI PL 9000
Filters : Ha, Oiii, RGB
Integration time : 6H55

Copyright: Aygen Erkaslan

Image Description:

This is an image of SH2-308, also known as the Dolphin Head Nebula. It is a huge bubble of mostly ionized oxygen gas about 5,200 light years away in the constellation Canis Major. It is formed by the strong solar winds of a Wolf-Rayet star near the center of the nebula. Wolf-Rayet stars are about 20 times the mass of the sun and are thought to be in the pre-supernova stage of star evolution. The nebula spans an area about the size of the full moon and is about 60 light years in diameter.

November 11, 2021                    

Location: Rio Hurtado, Chile         

Telescope: ASA 500N                  

Camera: FLI PL16803                  

Mount: ASA DDM85                     

Ha: 16x10 minutes (binned 1x1)       

OIII: 20x10 minutes (binned 1x1)     

RGB: 4x5 minutes each (binned 1x1)   

Copyright 2021 Bernard Miller        

Image Description and Details :

This image was done from Obstech El Sauce in Chile with a TMB105/650 and a QHY22. This was a very hard processing, this nebula is very faint and the raw images were not fantastic. This is a processing done with HORGB filters and with the Oxygen layer in Luminance. More than 50h were needed to make this bubble shine around the area!



Copyright Information: Benjamin Lefèvre

Image Description and Details : Here is my first object captured in 2020.
This is the dolphin head nebula, Cataloged Sharpless SH 2-308, it is about 5,200 light-years from home towards the constellation of the Big Dog.
The massive star (Wolf-Rayet type) that created the bubble is the bright star located near the center of the nebula.
It generates a powerful radiation which drives out the gas around thus creating a giant bubble.
Technical details :
• TS 102mm F5,1 apo astrograph bezel
• Azeq6gt mount
• Zwo asi 1600 mm cooled pro
• Sampling: 1.47 arcsec / pixel.

Frames:
Astronomik 6nm OIII 36mm: 93x300" -10C
Astronomik HA 6nm 36mm: 17x300" -10C
ZWO B 36mm: 27x60" -10C
ZWO G 36mm: 27x60" -10C
ZWO R 36mm: 27x60" -10C

Integration: 10.5 hours

• DOF: 15x101x0
• Date: January 1 and 2, 2020
• Location: MAO Observatory of Ben Slimane.

Copyright: Aziz Kaeouach