Object name
Sh2-68 nebula

Constellation: serpens
Distance : 3000 light years

Imaged by Jean-Yves Beninger from Alqueva Dark Sky, Portugal
On 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, and 29 June 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 (10 hour), Oxygen (8 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.

Unlike many compact planetary nebulae, Sh2-68 appears highly disturbed and asymmetric, shaped by its motion through the surrounding interstellar medium. Its central star is moving away from the nebula’s original geometric centre, while the expanding gas has been slowed and stretched by the material around it.

Deep H-alpha observations reveal a long, comet-like trail of ionized gas extending at least 30 arcminutes from the main body, showing how the dying star is gradually leaving its ejected outer layers behind.