240925 - Sh2-171 "QuestionMark" nebula (core)
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ASTRO:
type=Emission nebula mag=7.5 const=Cepheus dist=2900 ly size= 20 ly IMAGE: location=EB Driveway BrtlCls=4 exposure=CMOS OSC, 83x300s (6.9h), G100 palette="HOO" EQUIPMENT: camera=ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro optics=ES102 w1.0x fltnr, F=714mm, f/7.0 filter=Optolong L-eXreme Dual NB mount=Celestron AVX guiding=Orion 60x240mm, ZWO ASi224MC SOFTWARE: acquisition=Stellarium, APT, PHD2 processing=PixInsight (RCAstro), Photoshop (Lumenzia) (APF-R), LrC |
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Sh2-171 is a young star forming nebula in the constellation Cepheus. It is a part of the larger SH2-172 (NGC 7822) complex, which is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Question Mark" (not a recognized name by the IAU). The smaller nebula, together with its enfolded star cluster, is appx 2900 light-years distant. Located in the central core of the larger complex, Sh2-171 spans about 20 light-years across the larger complex's bright central region. It contains cosmic pillars comprised of molecular gas and dust clouds, similar to those found in the famed "Pillars of Creation" of the Eagle Nebula. Powering the Question Mark's glow are the hot, young stars of a newly formed cluster catalogued as Berkeley 59. The star-forming nebula is entry number 171 in the famous catalog of emission nebulae compiled by American astronomer Stewart Sharpless; published in 1959.
The age of the nebula's younger components is estimated to be no more than a few million years old (very young by astronomical standards). The star cluster includes a very interesting variable star. Catalogued as V747 Cep, which when first studied was found to vary in brightness with regular, rhythmic pulses. Today, it is known to be an eclipsing binary system, with the larger of the star-pair being a very hot, young star with surface temperature of nearly 4100° K. This compares to our Sun at just under 6000° K. V747 is estimated to possess appx 29 times more volume than our Sun; and, it emits a luminosity almost 213 times that of our Sun. This star's stellar winds and radiation emissions are so powerful, it is thought to be the primary source energizing the nebula and shaping its pillar-like formations.
Through the leadership of NASA and the ESA (European Space Agency) team of astronomers and scientists, and with the relatively recent advent of digital electronic photography and an associated surge of advancements in technology for 'consumer-grade' equipment and software, the hobby of astrophotography is becoming much more affordable, attainable and popular to a larger segment of the observing public. Amateur astrophotographers today are producing amazing results from their backyards that only a few years ago were not attainable but from a small population of large observatories funded by universities and public institutions.
The age of the nebula's younger components is estimated to be no more than a few million years old (very young by astronomical standards). The star cluster includes a very interesting variable star. Catalogued as V747 Cep, which when first studied was found to vary in brightness with regular, rhythmic pulses. Today, it is known to be an eclipsing binary system, with the larger of the star-pair being a very hot, young star with surface temperature of nearly 4100° K. This compares to our Sun at just under 6000° K. V747 is estimated to possess appx 29 times more volume than our Sun; and, it emits a luminosity almost 213 times that of our Sun. This star's stellar winds and radiation emissions are so powerful, it is thought to be the primary source energizing the nebula and shaping its pillar-like formations.
Through the leadership of NASA and the ESA (European Space Agency) team of astronomers and scientists, and with the relatively recent advent of digital electronic photography and an associated surge of advancements in technology for 'consumer-grade' equipment and software, the hobby of astrophotography is becoming much more affordable, attainable and popular to a larger segment of the observing public. Amateur astrophotographers today are producing amazing results from their backyards that only a few years ago were not attainable but from a small population of large observatories funded by universities and public institutions.