Combination of 10, 3 minute images using an H-alpha and OIII filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.
Gum 23 is a fairly large nebula with a low surface brightness that makes it a difficult object for an 8". However it can be seen if the skies are dark. As can be seen in the images there is a mixture of light and dark nebulosity.
Colin gum was an Australian astronomer in the 1950's who made extensive photographic studies of the southern Milky Way. As a result of his research he published a catalogue of southern emission nebulae he discovered. The most famous object in his catalogue is Gum 12, the Vela supernova remnent, often incorrectly refered to as "The Gum Nebula". In fact, the real Gum Nebula refers to a much larger nebula that covers much of the constellation Vela.
Most of the nebulae in Gum's catalogue are small and faint, although a surprising number of them are visible in an 8" telescope under dark skies. One such object is shown here, Gum 23. Another, Gum 25, is shown here. Both objects are located in Vela not far from the Vela supernova remnent, and close to each other. Gum 23 is about 1.5 degrees north of Gum 25.