Finally an easy normal target. I do not see the bubble to which GalaxyMap refers but I do not have an IR filter. [See the link below to look this up... a big blob in the center.]

From GalaxyMap:

This large nebula is most often named GAL 025.4-00.2 or GAL 025.38-00.18 in the scientific literature. It has a bewildering number of different names in SIMBAD (not all cross-referenced).

It may be associated with the radio source W 42.

It is visible in infrared as the prominent bubble [CPA2006] N37 and appears to be ionised by an obscured O7 II giant.

The radio source W 42 has wildly varying distance estimates (from 13400 parsecs to 2200 parsecs). If the near estimate of 2200 parsecs (which is from a recent paper published in 2000) is accepted, then W 42 is likely part of the Sh 2-60 nebula. Infrared imagery in the same paper shows that W 42 is energised by a massive, dense and young OB star cluster embedded in an obscuring dust cloud in the bottom left part of this image.

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 259 (83%).

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). I may look for other images so I can get a complete collection.

There are 5 that are never above 14 DEG (Sh2 2-6) [Edit 7/12/21- I can get these now with pier upgrades].

These remainder 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:

Sharpless2

Wide-Angle Hydrogen Alpha Nikon Image Sh2 79-171

Please note there is also a Sharpless2 Group with now more than 1500 examples.

Sharpless2 Group

Other useful links include:

Gary Imm's Collection

GalaxyMap's Collection

The Sharpless Catalog

The MDW H-alpha Sky Survey

Reiner Vogel's detailed observing catalog

Hope you enjoy these obscure but interesting objects...