Sh2-216 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Perseus. With an apparent diameter of about 3 moons, it is one of the closest and largest planetary nebulae in the sky. However, it is difficult to photograph or observe due to
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Planetary Nebula SH2-216
Dark Doodat Nebula (Sandquist 149)
This comet-shaped molecular cloud, consisting of regions of dense gas and dust, lies in the constellation Muscat, the Fly. It is accompanied by the globular cluster NGC 4372. The Dark Doodat Nebula is one of the closest star-forming regions to
Read moreFlaming Star, Tadpole and Spaghetti Nebulae (IC405, IC410, SH2-240)
This ensemble of marvelous emission nebulae lies in the constellation of Auriga and Taurus. At the bottom right is the Spaghetti Nebula, at the top left the Flame Star Nebula and the Tadpole Nebula form the eyes of a nebula
Read moreElephant Trunk Nebula IC1396
North America and Pelican Nebula – NGC 7000 and IC 5070
In the summer sky at night, the North American Nebula NGC7000 is directly above us in the constellation Swan, accompanied by the Pelican Nebula (IC5070). Both nebulae are part of a larger interstellar cloud, which consists mainly of ionised hydrogen
Read moreGlobular Cluster NGC6397
Embedded in a dense star field, NGC 6397 is one of the closest globular clusters to us. Its stars are only a few lightweeks apart, while the star closest to us is over four light years away. Globular clusters are
Read moreSoap Bubble Nebula – PN G075.5+01.7
In the centre of the Swan lies a very faint nebula, the Soap Bubble Nebula. It is a transparent, almost perfect sphere and hangs in the night sky like a soap bubble floating in the wind. The soap bubble is
Read moreRunning Chicken – IC2944
My photo shows a bright nebula in the constellation Centaurus in the southern starry sky. With its characteristic shape, intertwined filaments, dark orbits and vivid colours, it is reminiscent of a running chicken. It consists mainly of hydrogen gas, which
Read morePerseids 2023
Every year in August, the most famous shooting stars flit across our night sky. The Perseids are named after their apparent origin, the constellation Perseus. They originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years and leaves a
Read moreCat’s Paw Nebula – NGC6334
My photo taken in Namibia shows the Cat’s Paw Nebula in Scorpius. It is one of the most active star-forming regions in our Milky Way. The red glowing emission nebula consists of individual patches of nebulosity that are separated from
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