Sh2-101 — Tulip Nebula
HII Region in Cygnus
About
The Tulip Nebula, a glowing hydrogen cloud in Cygnus powered by the hot star HD 227018. Sources put it at about 6,000 to 8,000 light-years away and about 70 light-years wide. Cygnus X-1, a suspected black hole, appears nearby in the sky.
Imaging tips
- At 1510–2520 mm on APS-C (2320–3870 mm full frame) the nebula fills about half of the frame.
- One imager gathered 26 hours in 10-minute subs with a dual-band colour filter on a one-shot colour camera; another used 46 hours 15 minutes of Hα, SII and OIII in 5-minute subs.
- The Crescent Nebula lies about 2° to the southwest, so a wide field takes in both.
- One imager found the dense gas made placing background-extraction points hard; removing the stars first made the rest easier.
- Best in July and August; it peaks near 75° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 16′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 19h 59.9m, Dec +35° 17′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1510–2520 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2320–3870 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 75° from 50°N, 90° from 35°N