File:New Discovery! The Phantom Singer Nebula.jpg

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Captions

This image represents the discovery of the Phantom Stinger Nebula, a new astronomical object found in the Scorpius constellation, characterized by strong OIII emissions and centered around a Herbig Ae/Be star.

Summary edit

Description
English: This image is a testament to the collaborative efforts in astrophotography and celestial discovery, featuring an image of the Phantom Stinger Nebula, captured and processed by astrophotographer Steeve Body. The nebula, a newly identified astronomical entity in the Scorpius constellation, was discovered as part of a targeted exploration led by Tim Schaeffer, the creator and leader of the New Horizon team (NHZ). Schaeffer, conducting extensive survey research, provided team members, including Steeve, with specific coordinates to investigate potential new celestial discoveries. This particular image, a result of such collaboration, was taken from a light-polluted backyard in Melbourne, Australia, using narrowband filters, showcasing the nebula's vivid OIII emissions and the Herbig Ae/Be star at its heart. The discovery underlines the significant potential for astronomical findings in well-studied constellations and demonstrates the impactful role amateur astronomers can play in expanding our understanding of the universe.

Imaging Techniques and Observations:

- The red hue in the nebula, indicating the presence of Hydrogen, was captured using the Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha filter. This highlights the hydrogen-rich regions within the Phantom Stinger Nebula.

- The stars in the image were captured using RGB filters (Antlia Blue Pro, Green Pro, and Red Pro), ensuring their natural colors are accurately represented. This technique adds depth and realism to the celestial scene, allowing for a more detailed and authentic representation of the stars within the constellation.

Imaging Equipment and Parameters:

Telescope: Askar 107PHQ Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 1.25", Oxygen III 1.25", and Pro series Blue, Green, Red Accessories: Intel NUC 8, Pegasus Astro Falcon Rotator, Powerbox Micro, Scops OAG, ZWO EAF Software: Adobe Photoshop, PixInsight, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, StarXTerminator, N.I.N.A.

Acquisition Details:

Dates: Sept. 28, 2023, and Oct. 5, 2023 Frames and Integration: Total integration time of 20 hours 20 minutes, with detailed frame information for each filter Avg. Moon age: 17.42 days; Avg. Moon phase: 79.67% RA center: 17h24m24s.45; DEC center: -38°45′12″.3 Resolution: 4571x3438 Location: Backyard, Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia

Analysis:

The Phantom Stinger Nebula, as part of the NHZ's discovery, represents a significant contribution to our understanding of early-type emission-line stars, particularly Herbig Ae/Be stars. The nebula's strong OIII emissions, captured through narrowband filters, provide vital clues to its composition and structure. The Dong 1991 study, while not directly mentioning the Phantom Stinger Nebula, offers crucial insights into the characteristics and evolution of early-type emission-line stars, which are fundamental in comprehending the nebula's nature.

Key aspects of the Dong study relevant to our discovery include the detailed cataloguing of early-type emission-line stars and their categorization as extreme Population I objects. This catalog potentially includes stars similar to the Herbig Ae/Be star at the heart of the Phantom Stinger Nebula, making it a valuable reference in our ongoing research. The study's focus on infrared excess properties and their representation in two-colour diagrams aligns with our observations of the nebula’s OIII emissions, enhancing our understanding of its spectral characteristics.

Furthermore, the emphasis on Herbig Ae/Be stars in the Dong study is particularly relevant, given that such a star is central to the Phantom Stinger Nebula. The study's insights into the spatial distribution of these stars, in relation to the galactic plane and spiral arms, provide a contextual framework to understand the nebula's positioning and potential formation process.

Our research on the nebula's origins has been informed by spectral analysis of the Herbig Ae/Be Star CD-38 11837 (MWC 878/Hen 3-1398), a B1Ve type star known for its youthful and dynamic nature. The star's complex emission-line spectrum suggests significant gas motions in its vicinity, likely influencing the formation and structure of the Phantom Stinger Nebula. The estimated distance of MWC 878, approximately 6188 light years away, aligns with the common distances of many nebulae within our galaxy, supporting the likelihood of its association with the nearby nebula.

The Phantom Stinger Nebula's discovery and subsequent analysis significantly advance our knowledge of nebular formations and the role of early-type emission-line stars in their genesis.
English: Captured from a light-polluted backyard in Melbourne, this image unveils the Phantom Stinger Nebula, a newly discovered celestial object in the well-known Scorpius constellation. Despite the challenges of urban sky glow and streetlights, the astrophotographer, using narrow-band filters, has masterfully revealed the nebula's vivid blue hues and intricate structure, highlighting the strong OIII emissions that define its character. This remarkable discovery, made with modest equipment and telescopes, stands as a testament to the untapped mysteries of the night sky, proving that even in the most familiar constellations, hidden gems await discovery by those who dare to look beyond the glare of city lights.
Date
Source Own work
Author Bsteeve

Hi Res Zoomable image: https://steevebody.com/portfolio/the-phantom-stinger-nebula/ First published on Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/hlrqyi/

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current21:11, 18 December 2023Thumbnail for version as of 21:11, 18 December 20234,571 × 3,438 (7.83 MB)Bsteeve (talk | contribs)Uploaded own work with UploadWizard