Observation by Des Middlemass: Flaming Skull and reflection in Serpens

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Des Middlemass

Observer

Des Middlemass

Observed

2026 Jul 18 - 00:00

Uploaded

2026 Aug 11 - 10:44

Objects

VdB 123
Sharpless 68

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Constellation

Serpens Cauda

Field centre

RA: 18^h28^m
Dec: +01°18'
Position angle: +0°02'

Field size

2°30' × 1°39'

Equipment

Takahashi FSQ106EDX4, ASI2600MM
Optolong LRGB and 7nm Ha OIII filters

Exposure

11 hours (300 sec subs)

Location

Starfront, Rockwood, Texas

Target name

vbd 123 Reflection nebula and the Planetary Nebula SH2-68 (Flaming Skull nebula)

Title

Flaming Skull and reflection in Serpens

About this image

Taken over 3 nights in July. 7 hours of LRGB and 2 hours each of Ha and OIII for the PN.

VDB123 is the brightest compact blue reflection nebula in the left of the image. Immediately to the right is an orange bi-polar region of reflection which is illuminated by a YSO.

Files associated with this observation

vdB123_SH2-68_PN_530mm_LRGBHaOIII_11hrs.jpg (5.5 MB)

Like this image

Callum Potter, Simon Paul Davis

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