Sh2-96 is generally associated with the Supernova Remnant (SNR) G65.3+5.7 located in the constellation Cygnus the Swan approximately 2500 light-years distant. This SNR is very dim and covers a wide area of over 4 degrees in diameter. Sh2-96 is located along the northern edge of the SNR and covers a relatively small section of G65.3+5.7. The long filament extending horizontally across the lower portion of the image above has been identified as filament 212 of the SNR. The red HII area, primarily in right hand portion of the image, may not be associated with SNR but may be surrounding galactic nebula that the SNR is expanding into.
It is located about 2.5 ° north of the famous optical double star Albireo (β Cygni), a magnitude 3 star also visible from urban areas. It appears as a series of faint filaments, difficult to identify and photograph without the aid of filters. The best time to observe it in the evening sky is from June to December.
The amount of stars in this area is truly amazing. Although beautiful to look at in the RGB image below - they make it exceedingly difficult to bring forth the nebula as the main subject of the image.
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 RGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 28th Mar. - 8th Apr. 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 46 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 44 x 600"
Astrodon RGB 3 x 20 x 60"
Total integration = 16 Hours.
Center (RA, Dec): (292.635, 33.060)
Center (RA, hms): 19h 30m 32.315s
Center (Dec, dms): +33° 03' 37.292"
Size: 2.72 x 1.82 deg
Radius: 1.637 deg
Pixel scale: 1.63 arcsec/pixel
"Orientation": Up is 2.6 degrees E of N
It is located about 2.5 ° north of the famous optical double star Albireo (β Cygni), a magnitude 3 star also visible from urban areas. It appears as a series of faint filaments, difficult to identify and photograph without the aid of filters. The best time to observe it in the evening sky is from June to December.
The amount of stars in this area is truly amazing. Although beautiful to look at in the RGB image below - they make it exceedingly difficult to bring forth the nebula as the main subject of the image.
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 RGB.
Accessories: Robofocus Focuser controlled by Lunatico Armadillo, ATIK EFW 3, RB Focus Gaius, RB Focus Excalibur.
Dates: 28th Mar. - 8th Apr. 2025
Frames: (Total)
Astrodon Ha 46 x 600"
Astrodon OIII 44 x 600"
Astrodon RGB 3 x 20 x 60"
Total integration = 16 Hours.
Center (RA, Dec): (292.635, 33.060)
Center (RA, hms): 19h 30m 32.315s
Center (Dec, dms): +33° 03' 37.292"
Size: 2.72 x 1.82 deg
Radius: 1.637 deg
Pixel scale: 1.63 arcsec/pixel
"Orientation": Up is 2.6 degrees E of N
Sky Map and Finding Chart
Ha, OIII & RGB in the Image
Annotated Image
Just to show the stars in this area - click on image to enlarge: (N.B. This is just 20 minutes each of R, G & B ).
