Sh2-132 & PK102-02.1
Some might just prefer the Lion Nebula in a familiar orientation:
Lion Nebula
Image awarded APOD BRASIL on 16Jul25
Sh2 -132 is an extensive emission nebula visible in the constellation Cepheus.
It is located on the southern edge of the constellation, a short distance from the border with Lacerta, along the plane of the Milky Way; the best period for its observation in the evening sky falls between the months of July and December and is considerably facilitated for observers located in the regions of the northern hemisphere.
Sh2-132 is located at a distance of almost 10400 light-years, placing it within the Perseus Arm, in the region of Cepheus OB1, a large and bright OB association. The stars responsible for the ionization of its gases are very hot and massive; in particular, two Wolf-Rayet stars have been identified , known by the acronyms HD 211564 and HD 211853 (the latter also having the acronym WR 153), as well as a star of spectral class O8.5V and about ten stars of class B. It is believed that chain star formation processes took place in the past in the nebula; at present these processes seem to be suspended, since there is no trace of recent activity.
PK102-02.1 OR Abell 79 (right of centre in this image) is a small (~1 arc minute across) and enigmatic planetary nebula located approximately 11,360 light years away in the constellation Lacerta.
The nebula appears to be comprised of an irregular and broadened oval-shaped ring from which faint oppositely-directed lobes emerge that gradually vanish into the interstellar medium. Asymmetry is evident in the surface brightness of the lobes, with one side appearing brighter than the other.
The faint central source (with a visual magnitude of about 17) is a relatively cool dwarf star that is incapable of producing the ionized species seen in its spectrum, suggesting that it most likely has an unseen and hot companion generating the ionization.
Imaging telescope: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging camera: ASI 2600MM
Mount: JTW Trident P75
Guiding telescope: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding camera: QHY 5L II M
Focal Extender / Reducer: 0.73X
Software: Sequence Generator Pro SGP (for capture) PHD 2 (guiding), Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight.
Filters: Astrodon Ha (3nm), Astrodon OIII (3nm), Astrodon SII (3nm), Astrodon LRGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 30th Jun - 5th Jul 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 48 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 60 x 600"
Astrodon SII 42 x 600"
Astrodon LRGB 4 x 60 x 60"
Total integration = 29 Hours .
Center (RA, Dec): (335.261, 55.457)
Center (RA, hms): 22h 21m 02.742s
Center (Dec, dms): +55° 27' 24.516"
Size: 2.62 x 1.75 deg
Radius: 1.575 deg
Pixel scale: 1.57 arcsec/pixel
"Orientation": Up is 132.3 degrees E of N
It is located on the southern edge of the constellation, a short distance from the border with Lacerta, along the plane of the Milky Way; the best period for its observation in the evening sky falls between the months of July and December and is considerably facilitated for observers located in the regions of the northern hemisphere.
Sh2-132 is located at a distance of almost 10400 light-years, placing it within the Perseus Arm, in the region of Cepheus OB1, a large and bright OB association. The stars responsible for the ionization of its gases are very hot and massive; in particular, two Wolf-Rayet stars have been identified , known by the acronyms HD 211564 and HD 211853 (the latter also having the acronym WR 153), as well as a star of spectral class O8.5V and about ten stars of class B. It is believed that chain star formation processes took place in the past in the nebula; at present these processes seem to be suspended, since there is no trace of recent activity.
PK102-02.1 OR Abell 79 (right of centre in this image) is a small (~1 arc minute across) and enigmatic planetary nebula located approximately 11,360 light years away in the constellation Lacerta.
The nebula appears to be comprised of an irregular and broadened oval-shaped ring from which faint oppositely-directed lobes emerge that gradually vanish into the interstellar medium. Asymmetry is evident in the surface brightness of the lobes, with one side appearing brighter than the other.
The faint central source (with a visual magnitude of about 17) is a relatively cool dwarf star that is incapable of producing the ionized species seen in its spectrum, suggesting that it most likely has an unseen and hot companion generating the ionization.
Imaging telescope: Takahashi FSQ130ED
Imaging camera: ASI 2600MM
Mount: JTW Trident P75
Guiding telescope: Takahashi FS60CB
Guiding camera: QHY 5L II M
Focal Extender / Reducer: 0.73X
Software: Sequence Generator Pro SGP (for capture) PHD 2 (guiding), Astro Pixel Processor, PixInsight.
Filters: Astrodon Ha (3nm), Astrodon OIII (3nm), Astrodon SII (3nm), Astrodon LRGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 30th Jun - 5th Jul 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 48 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 60 x 600"
Astrodon SII 42 x 600"
Astrodon LRGB 4 x 60 x 60"
Total integration = 29 Hours .
Center (RA, Dec): (335.261, 55.457)
Center (RA, hms): 22h 21m 02.742s
Center (Dec, dms): +55° 27' 24.516"
Size: 2.62 x 1.75 deg
Radius: 1.575 deg
Pixel scale: 1.57 arcsec/pixel
"Orientation": Up is 132.3 degrees E of N
Sky Map & Finding Chart
SII, Ha, OIII & LRGB in the image:
PK1021-02.1 (Abell 79) in the main image: (Click on image to enlarge)
This is how PK102-02.1 (Abell 79) shows up when I zoom in on the RGB image. Clearly a larger scope is necessary to image it well!
Annotated Image:
