NGC 6888
Crescent Nebula in Cygnus

10.1″ f/4.5, Mallincam DS432cTEC with 0.5 focal reducer and Astronomik UHC filter
Exposure = 5-13-20 sec, Live Stacked frames = 15-31-24 (70 total), Gain = 70 of 250

Also known as Caldwell 27, the Crescent Nebula is about 5000 light years away, and 25 by 16 light years across. The bright Wolf-Rayet star at the center of the crescent-shape is the source of the nebula. Imaging the fainter parts of the crescent shape was difficult, for example the western side; to get the full crescent, the data in the image needed to be significantly stretched, making the brighter portions appear blown-out. There is a faint “ribbed” look on the interior portion of the nebula, giving it a very 3D appearance in this view. The faint extensions just above the bright portions make it look like it is smouldering.

North at 11 o’clock, East at 8 o’clock
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