Crescent and Soap Bubble

[jthommes]

This image is the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888, LBN 203, DWB 19, Sh2-105) and the Soap Bubble Nebula (PN Ju 1, PNG 075.5+01.7). There is another cataloged emission region in the field (LBN 206, DWB 20) as well as open clusters (IC 4996, and suspected cluster Kronberger 72). ) Dark nebulae Dobashi 3210, 3211, and 3215 make their appearances as well.

For capture and processing I wanted to give more exposure time to OIII and then emphasize it in the processing to give good contrast between the planetary and Ha emission in the neighborhood. I hadn't been back to the Crescent in a while (plus never done in OIII) and I wanted to see what I could do.

Image and details can be accessed at the link below (or by clicking on the Crescent NGC 6888 thumbnail below). The annotated image (which shows objects and info) has a link below but it can also be accessed from the main image webpage as well. The full size and FOV image showing all mentioned objects (including the Soap Bubble) can also be accessed from the image webpage and has an image scale of 1.67 arcsec/pixel.

• • 
    Crescent NGC 6888 (and link to full FOV)

Annotated Image:
Crescent NGC 6888 and Soap Bubble PN Ju 1 Annotated

The Simbad database (which I like to use in Aladin since is has good catalog coverage) is erroneous with its coordinate location for Sh2-105 - it is about 2 degrees off from the actual. I had to go back and check the original Sharpless paper which give the correct coordinates. Those coordinates indeed shows that Sh2-105 is with NGC 6888 (size and location).

Interestingly, if you use the Vizer Sharpless catalog (VII/20/catalog) in Aladin, it correctly identifies the Sh2-105 location while Simbad does not (in Aladin). Oh, BTW, PixInsight uses the Vizier electronic catalog for annotation so it correctly annotates the Sh2-105 location. However, PI uses Sesame/Simbad for a plate solving "hint" location. If Sh2-105 is selected as the name to resolve - might not plate solve for you. (Sigh).

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8
Camera: ASI1600M (Astronomik Gen 2 Ha OIII RGB Filters)
Location: DAA Observatory, Shelter Valley, CA

[MariusD69]

Amazing image! Great work, Jim!!

[messier 111]

beautiful image , thx .

[Mac]

Awesome capture Jim... I couldn't pick up any of the soap bubble.

[chris_g]

Absolutely beautiful, but it's not a bubble, it's a Jelly Fish! You can even see the tendrils floating behind it. Stunning Sir, thank you for sharing!

[starfield]

Nice, Jim. Great detail and the Soap Bubble really pops. I also like how you've picked up some faint OIII wispyness to the left of the Soap Bubble.

[Gordon]

Congratulations Jim on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!

app.php/article/8-27-2021-tss-astrophot ... of-the-day

[Makuser]

Hi Jim. An amazing image from you here. Superb contrast, nebulosity details and color, and an excellent shell on the Crescent Nebula. I especially enjoyed the annotated version which shows the plethora of objects that you captured. Thanks for sharing this treat with us on here Jim, and congratulations on receiving the TSS APOD Award today.

[KathyNS]

Outstanding!

[Michael131313]

Congratulations on the APOD. Soap Bubble or Jelly Fish it still is a great image.

[Graeme1858]

There's a lot going on in that image!

Congratulations on the APOD

Regards

Graeme

[ic_1101]

That’s a beautiful image Jim, you really brought out the Oiii nicely. Congrats on the well deserved TSS APOD!

[jthommes]

Thanks for the comments and congrats folks!

[jthommes]

Nice, Jim. Great detail and the Soap Bubble really pops. I also like how you've picked up some faint OIII wispyness to the left of the Soap Bubble.

Thanks Steve. I did expose for longer time on the OIII and I also processed to emphasize OIII. Glad you liked it. As in most things in astro-processing, I was worried about maybe overdoing the OIII.

[jthommes]

Hi Jim. An amazing image from you here. Superb contrast, nebulosity details and color, and an excellent shell on the Crescent Nebula. I especially enjoyed the annotated version which shows the plethora of objects that you captured. Thanks for sharing this treat with us on here Jim, and congratulations on receiving the TSS APOD Award today.

Thanks for the comments Marshall. I was shooting of color contrast in the processing in order to bring out the Soap Bubble. I am glad you liked the annotation - capturing these objects drove the particular composition of the image.