Waid Observatory

Object: DWB-111 & 119

Date: June 6-16-17, 2017  -   Location: Dark Sky Observatory, Davis Mountains, TX
Telescope: PlaneWave 17" CDK   Mount: Paramount ME II   Camera: FLI 16803
Exposure:   Ha = 280 min.   OIII = 320 min.
Image Credit: Preston Starr & Donald Waid

Click on the image to view at higher resolution.

The Propeller Nebula

DWB-111 & 119 (The Propeller Nebula) 1

The Propeller Nebula is located in the very large Cygnus X nebular complex. The Propeller is commonly referred to, somewhat incorrectly, as DWB 111. Actually DWB 111 is the lower portion of the Propeller and the upper portion is designated as DWB 119. A more accurate designation of the nebula, which would include the entire Propeller, is Simeis 57. The nebula is classified as an emission nebula and radiates strongly in Hydrogen Alpha (Ha), and to a lesser extent, in ionized Sulphur (SII), and weakly in doubly ionized Oxygen (OIII). The distance to the Propeller Nebula is somewhat unclear, but estimates to the Cygnus X complex is documented as approximately 4,600 light years.

The image above is known as a mapped, or false, color image and was acquired using narrowband filters.  It was assembled as a Bi-Color image with Ha mapped to red and OIII mapped to green and blue.  A full Hubble Palette version of the image may be viewed here.

1http://www.distant-lights.at/simeis57_hubble-2015_08_31.htm

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid