This is a large area of nebulosity around the star Gamma Cygni which is the large star on the right side of the photo in the summer constellation Cygnus the Swan. Prominent Dark Nebula are also visible in the photo. The dark rift above Gamma Cygni is LDN889. This field of view is west of the star Gamma Cygni. South is up in this photograph.

The constellation Cygnus lies roughly in the direction our solar system is heading as we circle the Milky Way's Great Galactic Core.

This photo represents only a small portion of the nebula complex around Gamma Cygni.

Too see my photograph taken with a 400mm telephoto of the area south of this photograph click HERE

To see my photograph taken with the same telescope but with film, click HERE Notice the much larger Field of View of the 35mm negative compared to this CCD image. But.... Notice the higher resolution of this CCD shot. Can you pick out the wild looking Dark Nebula in the upper left of this photograph in my film shot? The orientation of the 2 shots is basically the same. Follow the rift LDN889 tward the left.

To see a color composite with this CCD shot and the RGB componant from my film shot click HERE

• Type: Emission/Dark Nebula
• Exposure Length: 1.5 Hrs [(6) x 10 Min and (2) x 15] Min Digitally Combined
• Focal Length: 530mm @ f/3.3
• Filter: Astronomik 13Nm Bandpass Hydrogen Alpha
• Camera: SBIG ST2000XM CCD
• Guiding: Self Guided
• Film: N/A
• Instrument: Takahashi Epsilon 160 Hyperbolic Astrograph
• Date: 12AP03

Additional Photographic Notes: This is my third attempt with the ST2000XM CCD camera. The use of the 13Nm bandpass Ha filter allowed me to shoot during a 1/2 full moon and from the light polluted city. Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) is light emitted on the spectral line of about 656 nanometers from Ionized Hydrogen not visible to the human eye.