Serpens Cauda

Heading northwards from Sagittarius and into Serpens, the Milky Way starts to dim fairly rapidly. However there are still numerous interesting objects in this region, including a number of bright emission nebulae.


Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 50mm Nikon lens at f/4.

Northern Serpens. The bright star is eta serpens.


Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 50mm Nikon lens at f/4.

Central Serpens. The bright nebula towards the bottom is M 16 also know as the Eagle Nebula.


Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 50mm Nikon lens at f/4.

Eastern Serpens. The bright nebula towards the top right are M 16 and M17, also known as the Omega Nebula.


Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 50mm Nikon lens at f/4.

Southern Serpens.


Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 35mm Nikon lens at f/4.

Some of the many emission nebulae and open clusters in the region are shown in the image above and marked below.

Number Name R.A. Dec
1 M24 The Sagittarius Star Cloud 18 17 -18 30
2 IC 1283/1284 18 17 -19 40
3 M17 The Omega Nebula 18 21 -16 10 Image
4 M16 The Eagle Nebula 18 19 -13 50 Image
5 Sharpless 2-54 18 19 -12 10
6 Sharpless 2-55 18 32 -11 45
7 Sharpless 2-48 18 06 -14 05
8 M25 18 32 -19 10
9 M22 18 36 -23 50 Image


Combination of 10, 3 minute exposures using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 35mm Nikon lens at f/2.8.