Veil Nebula captured with a Takahashi FSQ-106 EDX4

Astrophotographer Richard Harris recently produced a stunning image of the Veil Nebula, utilizing a Takahashi FSQ-106 EDX4 telescope and a ZWO 6200 monochrome camera. The photograph captured both the Eastern and Western segments of the nebula. The observation was conducted from August 3rd to August 8th, 2024, in Strafford, Missouri, with a precise observation direction of E 069° 39' 26.5" and an altitude of +26° 51' 39.9".

Veil Nebula captured with a Takahashi FSQ-106 EDX4

The Veil Nebula, located in the constellation Cygnus, is a supernova remnant formed by an explosion that occurred approximately 8,000 years ago. The nebula is characterized by its intricate filaments of ionized gas, which are remnants of the shockwaves from the original supernova event. The Eastern Veil Nebula (NGC 6992) and the Western Veil Nebula, often referred to as the Witch’s Broom Nebula, are two of the most prominent structures within this formation.

Richard utilized the Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 telescope, featuring a 106mm aperture and 530mm focal length, to capture the Veil Nebula. To achieve a broader field of view, a 0.7X 645 reducer was applied, reducing the focal length to 380mm. The imaging was done with a ZWO 6200 MM camera, a 62-megapixel monochrome model, which captured the detailed structures of the nebula. The equipment setup included a Williams Optics 50mm guide scope paired with a ZWO ASI 120 mini for guiding, and a ZWO AM5 harmonic drive mount for precise tracking. The data acquisition was managed by a ZWO ASI Air controller, using narrowband filters to capture a total of 18.5 hours of exposure time. Processing took place over two days using PixInsight and Photoshop, resulting in a detailed image of the nebula under Bortle Class 4 skies.

Veil Nebula captured with a Takahashi FSQ-106 EDX4 telescope

Richard used narrowband imaging to capture the Veil Nebula, focusing on specific wavelengths of light that the nebula emits. This technique helped bring out the intricate details of the nebula's structure by enhancing contrast. He took 85 frames of Hydrogen Alpha (Ha), 102 frames of Oxygen III (OIII), and additional RGB exposures, each with a 300-second exposure time. The entire project required 18.5 hours of data collection, without using darks, flats, or bias frames.

Using PixInsight and Photoshop, he combined the data from the narrowband and RGB filters to produce a final image that accurately depicts the nebula’s complex structure. The result highlights the detailed filaments of the Eastern and Western Veil Nebulae, revealing the intricate remnants of a supernova. This setup’s strength lies in its ability to capture detailed images through narrowband filters, particularly beneficial when photographing objects like the Veil Nebula that emit light at specific wavelengths.

About the Western Veil Nebula

The Western Veil Nebula, also called the Witch's Broom Nebula, is a striking filamentary structure in the constellation Cygnus. Part of the larger Veil Nebula, it formed about 8,000 years ago from a supernova explosion. This nebula, illuminated by the nearby star 52 Cygni, spans over 3 degrees in the night sky and is one of the closest supernova remnants to Earth. Its complex structure includes features like Pickering's Triangle and the Witch's Broom, providing valuable insights into stellar evolution and supernova effects.

About the Eastern Veil Nebula

The Eastern Veil Nebula, or NGC 6992, is a striking supernova remnant located in the constellation Cygnus, about 1,400 light-years from Earth. Spanning approximately 110 light-years, it formed 5,000 to 8,000 years ago from the explosion of a massive star. Known for its vibrant red and blue ionized gas, the nebula features intricate filaments and wispy structures, including the notable "Witch's Broom" filament. Its delicate beauty makes it a popular target for astronomers.

Click here to read more about the Veil Nebula astrophoto he captured.