StDr Object 13 in the Serpens cloud complex
Published 22 Sep 23

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About this object


Strottner-Drechsler Object 13, lies within the dark and dusty Serpens cloud complex.  Discovered in December 2019 by Xavier Strottner and Marcel Drechsler, this 23 arc minute nebula is probably either an emission nebula or Stromgren Sphere  possibly ionized by the mag 7.92 star HD 172028.  HD 172028 is roughly 2146 light years distance and 2.3 times the diameter of the sun.  A lot is going on within the field of view of this image.   Many dark nebula lie in this region, along with a beautiful emission nebula in the upper right surrounded by blue reflection clouds called LBN 95.   The tiny and bright red 24X18 arc sec planetary nebula Abell 47 can be seen near the right side.  Two Herbig-Haro objects # 109 and #108 can be seen within the dark dust cloud on the lower right.    How long will it be before new stars emerge from this area?  Several other LDN and LBN objects are spread throughout the field of view along with some tiny reflection nebula.   The image is a result of 52hrs of exposure time.

Below is an annotated image in which I added some of the more interesting objects.
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Below is a crop and enlarged image showing the small planetary nebula Abell 47

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The Herbig-Haro objects 109 and 108

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Image Details

  • Optics : Stellarvue SVX 152T refractor @f8 1200mm FL
  • Mount: Paramount MYT
  • Camera: ZWO ASI6200
  • Filters: Chroma 50mm RGB, 5nm OIII, Astrodon 5nm Ha
  • Exposure (min): RGB Ha OIII 120:120:120:1360:1400, 52 hrs, 2x2 binning
  • Automation Control: The Sky X, Voyager, PrimaluceLab Eagle 4
  • Guiding: StarlightXpress Lodestar X2
  • Processing Software: PixInsight, PS CC, Topaz Labs
  • Location: Stark Bayou Observatory, Ocean Springs, MS
  • Sky: Typical SQM 19.6-20.1, Bortle 5, Suburban
  • Date: 1 May - 23 Aug 2023
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