vdB 152: Reflection nebula in Cepheus by Andreas Zirke

Full resolution: https://www.astrobin.com/full/365130/0/?real=&mod=

Today we would like to introduce you to one of Germany's best astrophotographers, with a very special telescope.

Exposure time: 28.0 hours

Description: It is described as a "dusty curtain" or a "ghostly apparition." This mysterious reflection nebula, "vdB 152," is actually very faint. It lies about 1,400 light-years away along the northern Milky Way in the royal constellation Cepheus. Near the edge of a large molecular cloud, pockets of cosmic dust block the light from background stars or scatter the light from the embedded bright star (above). This gives parts of the nebula a characteristic blue color. It is also thought that the star's ultraviolet light creates a faint reddish luminescence in the nebulous dust. Although stars form molecular clouds, this star appears to have wandered into this region only by chance. The measured velocity through interstellar space is very different from the velocity of the cloud. This far-reaching telescopic image encompasses approximately 7 light-years at the estimated distance of vdB 152.

Technical details:

Imaging telescope or lens: Takahashi Epsilon 130D x2

Imaging camera: Atik One 9.0 with OAG

Mount: EQ8

Guiding telescope or lens: Takahashi Epsilon 130D

Guiding camera: Atik One 9.0 with OAG

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop CS5

Filters: Astrodon Tru-Balance LRGB E-Series Gen 2 LRGB filter set

Andreas Zirke's images:

https://www.astrobin.com/users/az-picture.de/