In the vicinity of Dreyer's Nebula, also known as NGC 2264, lie several other notable celestial objects, including the Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster. While Dreyer's Nebula itself is a reflection nebula illuminated by the star S Monocerotis, the Cone Nebula is an adjacent dark nebula that appears as a distinctive cone-shaped feature against the backdrop of interstellar space. Nearby, the Christmas Tree Cluster, or NGC 2264, is a young stellar cluster embedded within a diffuse emission nebula, adding to the visual richness of the region.

Though these objects may vary in size and appearance, they collectively contribute to the captivating beauty of the cosmic landscape in this part of the sky. Together, they offer astronomers and stargazers a glimpse into the dynamic processes of star formation and interstellar sculpting, showcasing the intricate interplay between stars, gas, and dust in the vast expanse of the universe.

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 : First "official" photo of our team Team Stellae Orientis Astrophotographie with the Perseus molecular cloud in LRGB by Yann SAINTY.

The Perseus molecular cloud contains the nebulae NGC1333 and IC348.

First lights on the fsq106 and the 2600MM and the result is up to my expectations. Combined with a bortle 4 sky this setup promises beautiful moments.

No moon so I wanted to image NGC1333 but seeing the beauty of IC348 next to it I could not resist the appeal of the mosaic despite the fact that it was not recommended during a first session with a new setup.

I imaged over 2 nights instead of 4 (lots of humidity and fog), which frustrates me in the sense that I only got half of the raws I wanted and so I had to shoot more processing. as desired, but you have to know how to have fun and try things!

Technic :
Takahashi FSQ106 EDX4 with 645-QE super reducer
Asi 2600MM Pro
LRGB Antilla Filters
Eq6r-pro
Altaïr 60/225 guide + asi 290mm mini

L: 45x300 '' per tile
R - V -B: 15x300 '' per filter per tile

Sky bortle 4

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

From France
2021/10/07 & 2021/10/10
Copyright Yann SAINTY