Located about 5000 light-years from Earth, the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888, Caldwell 27, Sh 2-105) is an ionized hydrogen (Hll) emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus.
This nebula is formed by the fast stellar wind from the Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 (HD 192163) colliding with and energizing the slower moving wind ejected by the star when it became a red giant sometime between 250,000 and 400,000 years ago. The result of the collision is a shell and two shock waves, one moving outward and one moving inward. The inward moving shock wave heats the stellar wind to X-ray-emitting temperatures. *
Camera: ASI2600MC | Scope: 749mm Askar 107PHQ | Exposure: 4h 32m | Date: 2025-08-21
Also visible in the image is the Soap Bubble Nebula (PN G075.5+01.7). The Soap Bubble is a planetary nebula located approximately 5000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. The nebula derives its name from its symmetrical spherical shape which resembles a soap bubble. *
Camera: ASI2600MC | Scope: 749mm Askar 107PHQ | Exposure: 4h 32m | Date: 2025-08-21
This image of the Crescent and Soap Bubble nebulae were captured on August 21, 2025 at Starfest.
Starfest is Canada's largest annual astronomy conference and star party, hosted by the North York Astronomical Association (NYAA) near Ayton, Ontario.
* nebula description info sourced in part from from Wikipedia
Finding chart mapping process created in Pixinsight (Pleiades Astrophoto)
The small red rectangle at the centre of the finding chart (above), shows the actual orientation and location of the photograph.
