- H100 minutes (10 frames)
The Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318B) is part of the emission nebula IC 1318, also known as the Butterfly Nebula, located in the constellation Cygnus. This object is approximately 4,900 light-years from Earth and spans 100 light-years. IC 1318 is divided into three parts: IC 1318A (outside the image, at the top), IC 1318B (upper right of the image), and IC 1318C (lower left of the image). The areas separating IC 1318B and IC 1318C are the dark cloud LDN 88, which is about 20 light-years wide.
Structure and Features
The IC 1318B nebula is part of a larger region that can be seen as two glowing wings separated by a long dark lane of dust. These "wings" give the nebula its popular name, the Butterfly Nebula. At the center of this amazing HII region (hydrogen ionized region) is the supergiant star Gamma Cygni, also known as Sadr, which is the bright source of radiation in this region.
Stars and Gas Clouds
Within the IC 1318B nebula is a complex array of stars, gas clouds, and glowing nebulae located along the plane of the Milky Way. The energy emanating from these stars ionizes the gas, creating the bright regions of radiation that can be seen in this region. The Butterfly Nebula and its surrounding stars form a spectacular image spanning 3 degrees in the sky, or about six full moons.
Location and Size
The star Sadr is at the center of this object and is considered one of the brightest stars in the constellation Cygnus. It is about 1,800 light-years away from Earth, while estimates for the nebula itself, IC 1318, and the star cluster NGC 6910, located in the upper left part of the image, range from 2,000 to 5,000 light-years.
Conclusion
The Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318B) is one of the most beautiful and bright objects in the constellation Cygnus. This region, containing huge stars, gas clouds, and glowing nebulae, is an important object for studying star formation processes. Its bright "wings" and dark central cloud create an incredibly spectacular image that has attracted the attention of astronomers and night sky enthusiasts around the world.
Visibility chart of Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318B) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•