Sh2-54
HII Region in Serpens
About
A large hydrogen emission region in Serpens, lit by young hot stars and protostars, often called the Serpent Nebula. Sources put it roughly 6,000 to 7,000 light-years away, and it belongs to the same star-forming complex as the Eagle Nebula.
Imaging tips
- Sources give about 140′ overall, with a brighter core region near 70′ by 30′, so frame wide.
- One imager shot RGB plus 26 frames of 10 min in Hα; another combined Hα, OIII and SII for 8.9 hours, and wanted more integration.
- Cluster NGC 6604 appears below the bright core in the wide frames of two imagers.
- Best in June and July; it reaches about 28° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 140′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 18h 17.9m, Dec −11° 41′
- Framing, APS-C
- 170–290 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 260–440 mm
- Best months
- Jun, Jul
- Peak altitude
- 28° from 50°N, 43° from 35°N
Nearby
- M16 (Eagle Nebula) · 126.7′ away