Nebulae | Astronomy.com

The Skull Nebula

Deep-Sky Objects, Observing

Five ‘shy,’ lesser-known deep-sky gems to observe

The blue reflection nebula M78 lies about 1,600 light-years away in Orion. It is a cloud of interstellar gas and dust that owes its luminosity to embedded, bright, blue, early B-type stars — making it the brightest diffuse reflection nebula in the Orion B molecular cloud complex.

Deep-Sky Objects

Deep-sky objects to target as a novice observer

This 1874 lithograph was created by Étienne Léopold Trouvelot with the 15-inch refractor at the Harvard College Observatory, for the purpose of measuring the nebula’s extent. A glass plate with dark black lines was placed on the focus of the telescope for marking placement. No wonder it shows no central star.

Looking inside the Ring Nebula

Astrophotography, Deep-Sky Objects

Astrophotography and the art of collaboration

The Cocoon Nebula (IC 5146) is a reflection and emission nebula that lies 4,000 light-years away in Cygnus. The author captured this image with HαRGB filters and exposures of six, three, three, and three hours, respectively.

Telescopes and Equipment

Review: The amazing Stellarvue 180mm refractor

Vaonis’ Vespera is a portable smart scope that can be used for night — or day — sky viewing.

Telescopes and Equipment

Vaonis’ Vespera smart scope reviewed

Rosette Nebula

Deep-Sky Objects

Large deep-sky objects to catch each season

Purgathofer-Weinberger 1

Hind’s Variable Nebula

Simeis 147

Merrill’s Star Nebula

Barnard’s E