Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Serpens (Ser)  ·  Contains:  HD169285  ·  HD169579  ·  HD169725  ·  LBN 93  ·  PGC 1180565  ·  PK030+06.1  ·  Sh2-68
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The Flaming Skull Nebula, Sh 2-68 (PN G030.6 + 06.2), Boris US5WU
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The Flaming Skull Nebula, Sh 2-68 (PN G030.6 + 06.2)

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The Flaming Skull Nebula, Sh 2-68 (PN G030.6 + 06.2), Boris US5WU
Powered byPixInsight

The Flaming Skull Nebula, Sh 2-68 (PN G030.6 + 06.2)

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Description

The Flaming Skull Nebula, Sh 2-68 (PN G030.6 + 06.2) is a planetary nebula in the eastern part of the Serpens constellation.
Sh 2-68 is an ancient planetary nebula estimated to be around 45000 years old.
On this image we can see a "cometary tail" of ionized matter what is aligned with the proper motion of the central star and is obviously a contrail of material left behind by Sh 2-68 moving in a Galactic Disk orbit. The tail's existence is a direct confirmation of Sh 2-68's interaction with the interstellar medium (ISM) and highlights the possibly important role of the ISM's magnetic field.

This image taken over several nights in September 2023.

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