Object name
Sh2-78 nebula

Constellation: Aquila
Distance : 2200 light years

Imaged by Jean-Yves Beninger from Alqueva Dark Sky, Portugal
On 26, 27, 28 June and 6 and 7 July 2026

Equipment:
Astro-Physics Mach1
Astro-Physics AP130 Starfire EDF with 2.7" field flattener 67PF562, 873mm
Camera Zwo ASI 2600MM pixel size 3.76µ
Filters H, O, R, G, B

Imaging was acquired through Hydrogen (15 hours), Oxygen (4 hours) red, green and blue filters (0.5 hour each), with a Zwo ASI 2600MM camera and an Astro-Physics AP130 mounted on an Astro-Physics Mach1 mount.

Description:

Sharpless 2-68 is a faint planetary nebula in Serpens.

Sh2-78 is a large, extremely faint planetary nebula in the constellation Aquila. Once mistaken for an H II region, it is now known to be the expanding remains of a dying star. Its diffuse, irregular shell is difficult to photograph and usually requires long exposures and narrowband filters.

As the nebula slowly disperses, it returns material from its former star to the interstellar medium.