The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274)

[Ryderscope]

The Medusa Nebula, so named due to the apparent similarity to the mythical creature with snakes for hair and with the ability to turn one into stone. Whilst it may take a little imagination to see the similarity it is definitely a fascinating object to image. Also known as Sharpless 2-74, this is a planetary nebula located in the constellation of Gemini.

Captured here with my Tak TSA120, the field of view provides the opportunity to include the open cluster NGC 2395. This is a RGB_HOO image with approximately 28 hours of data taken with my QSI683 camera.

Link here to the post on Astrobin (https://astrob.in/aocjv1/0/) for full acquisition details and higher resolution image.

Comments and critique welcome.

[gaseous]

Great shot Rodney. I recall this PN as being very faint as a visual target.

[Ryderscope]

Thanks Patrick. It is also faint as an imaging target as well hence the ten hours each for the Ha and OIII.

[Dave882]

Really nice shot and I love the framing too. Those extended regions are quite faint you’ve done well to bring them out

[gregbradley]

That's a hard won image Rodney. Its a rarely imaged object. Looks good.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies]

Agree with Greg! Big effort for a very nice result! :thumbsup: Well done!

[Ryderscope]

Many thanks David/Greg/Marcus. It is true that this project required some effort with a couple of start/stops before I managed to collect a good data set. The data were captured over two years actually with some of the Ha and OIII grabbed last year and the rest earlier this year.

[Startrek]

Rodney,
Lovely image
You always find the lesser known or lesser imaged objects which is tremendous I think !!
Well done for effort alone !!

Cheers
Martin
( from Edinburgh, currently travelling through the UK )

[Ryderscope]

Thanks Martin, it is an unusual object I agree with most published images tending to highlight the PN rather than a slightly wider field to bring in the open cluster NGC 2395.

[Retrograde]

That's a very cool object and image Rodney.

Well done on your patience over two years to bring this image to fruition. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

That's a beauty Rod :thumbsup: something new for us to see down here, doesn't get hit by many in the southern hemisphere. Good idea fitting in the cluster too, looks extra cool :)

Mike

[Ryderscope]

Thanks Pete & Mike. There are a number of images of this object around, mostly taken by 'northerners', but most tend to focus in on the core of the PN so it was good to be able to extend the field a little and take in NGC2395. At a declination of +13d it is still reasonably accessible to us 'southerners' so definitley worth a shot.