Sh2 11 This is definitely as low as I can go to the Horizon and was only intermittently visible.
From GalaxyMap:
The HII region NGC 6357, also called W 22 or the War and Peace Nebula, is ionised by the Pismis 24 and AH03 J1725−34.4 star clusters. Pismis 24 includes the multiple O4 and O4-5 star system [N78] 35 according to a 1984 paper. (SIMBAD gives a cooler O7 III class for this star.)
Near by is the Wolf-Rayet star WR 93, which is also a multiple star system with a class O7-9 companion.
The Cat's Paw nebula NGC 6334 lies at approximately the same distance and is separated from it by a dark cloud. This is just out of range for me!
GENERAL NOTE ON SHARPLESS2 OBJECTS>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I have been on a project for several years now to image all the Sharpless2 Objects that I can see from my location near San Francisco. I chose these because they are visible in light polluted areas. These objects generally represent left over Hydrogen along the edge of the Milky Way that has gotten molded into interesting shapes.
There are 313 Sh2 objects.
As of the date when this image was posted:
I had imaged 253 (81%).
There are 12 too diffuse/large to image with my set up (Sh2 111, 117, 122, 131, 132, 145, 178, 218, 221, 230, 268 and 310).
There are 6 that are never above 14 DEG elevation at my site and are too low for my 17 DEG min due South (Sh2 2-6 and 8).
This leaves me 42 potentially still do-able and most are in Expert Scheduler waiting for them to pass by.
The first one was taken on December 23, 2013.
Many were taken with my old Tak 180 ED, which had a wide field of view, but was replaced with my Stellarvue 130, which is more narrow field. I have also taken two very wide field HA images with my Nikon D800 and a 50mm lens.
This is my collection:
Sharpless2Wide-Angle Hydrogen Alpha Nikon Image Sh2 79-171Please note there is also a Sharpless2 Group with now more than 1500 examples.
Sharpless2 GroupOther useful links include:
Gary Imm's CollectionGalaxyMap's CollectionThe Sharpless CatalogThe MDW H-alpha Sky SurveyReiner Vogel's detailed observing catalogHope you enjoy these obscure but interesting objects...
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