Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888)
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The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus, thousands of light-years from Earth. It was formed by the interaction between the fast stellar winds of a massive, dying star and the slower-moving material ejected during an earlier phase of its life. This process has created a glowing, shell-like structure of ionized gas, giving the nebula its distinctive crescent-shaped appearance.
Surrounding the nebula is a complex environment of interstellar gas and dust, shaped by the powerful energy output of the central star. As the stellar winds collide with older material, shock waves form, heating the gas and causing it to emit light. The nebula is visible in both optical and infrared wavelengths, revealing intricate details of its structure and the turbulent processes taking place within it.
Over time, the central star will continue to lose mass, eventually leading to a dramatic transformation. As it nears the end of its life, it may explode as a supernova, dispersing the surrounding gas into space. This event will contribute to the enrichment of the interstellar medium, playing a role in the formation of future stars and planetary systems.
| Object | Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) |
| Link | https://www.shetzers.com/crescent-nebula-ngc-6888/ |
| Wiki Link | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescent_Nebula |
| Hemisphere | Northern |
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Other Names contained in image | NGC 6888, Caldwell 27, Sharpless 105 |
| Imaging telescopes or lenses | Takahashi TOA-130NFB |
| Imaging cameras | QHY268M |
| Mounts | Astro Physics 1600 |
| Focal reducers | None |
| Software | N.I.N.A., AP Drivers, PHD Lab PHD2, Viking, PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom |
| Filters | Astrodon LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance 36mm unmounted. Chroma Technology Narrowband 3nm Ha, SII, OIII – 36mm Unmounted |
| Accessories | Moonlite NightCrawler 35 focuser, Maxdome II, Digital Loggers Pro Switch, Sky Alert Weather Station, Pegagsus Ultimate Powerbox v2, QHY 7-slot filter wheel. |
| Guiding Telescope or Lenses | Orion 60mm Guide Scope |
| Guiding Camera | ZWO ASI290MM Mini |
| Imaging Dates | 5/17/24, 6/9/24, 6/12/24, 6/13/24, 6/14/24, 6/15/24, 6/16/24, 6/17/24, 6/22/24, 6/23/24, 7/3/24, 7/4/24 |
| Frames | Ha:60×600″ (10h) Gain 56, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 OII: 44×600″ (7.4h) Gain 56, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 SIII: 13×600″ (2.2h) Gain 56, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 Red: 9×180″ (0.5h) Gain 26, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 Green: 9×180″ (0.5h) Gain 26, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 Blue: 8×180″ (0.4h) Gain 26, High Gain Mode, Temp -10C, Bin 1×1 |
| Integration | 21h |
| Darks | 50 |
| Flats | 20 per Filter |
| Flat Darks | 40 |
| Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: | 2 |
| RA center | 303.02604 |
| DEC center | 38.35481 |
| Pixel scale | 3.76 |
| Resolution | 6280 x 4210 |
| Locations | Sirus 3.5m Observatory, Carbondale Colorado |
| Data source | Backyard |
| Seeing | Average |
| Post Processing Techniques | PixInsight to Photoshop to Lightroom |
| Type | HOO with RGB Stars |