The “COCOON” Nebula is a Magnitude 9.6 H-II Emission Nebula, at RA 21hr 51m 3s, DEC 47o 02', in the Constellation CYGNUS. The 12' x 12' nebula is embedded in a 12' diameter open cluster of 76+ young stars, down to magnitude 17.5. The faintest stars visible in this image are greater than magnitude 17.5. This nebula is centered very near the apex of several “dark lanes” in the otherwise rich CYGNUS milky way star fields. These lanes, which are clearly seen converging in a “V” at the left side of the image, are known to consist of clouds of interstellar dark matter. Emission nebulae are the nurseries for new star formation. The dark spots within the nebula are known as “BOK Globules” and are considered the most likely location for the actual birthplaces of stars. The COCOON Nebula is a beautiful object and a relatively easy target for CCD Imaging, but it can be somewhat difficult to find and observe visually. In amateur telescopes of 200mm aperture, averted vision may be needed to see the faint grey smudges that make up the brighter parts of the nebula. The nearby proximity of easy and popular objects like M-27, the “DUMBBELL” Nebula and M-57, the “RING” Nebula tend to detract amateur observers away from the more difficult objects. These may be the reasons that IC 5146 is largely overlooked, as a suitable object for electronic imaging. This nebula is also somewhat similar in appearance and size to M-20, the “TRIFID” Nebula.

The “EAGLE” Nebula is a Magnitude 6.0 H-II Emission Nebula, ocated at RA 18hr 18m 47s, DEC -13o 46' 52", in the Constellation SERPENS CAUDA. The nebula clouds are suggestive to me of a large bird, head down with wings spread and tail fanned out to catch and sail the thermals of the brilliant night skies. M-16 is also known as the “STAR QUEEN” Nebula. This very large, 35' X 28' in total size, bright nebula is located in the rich milky way star fields of the summer southern night skies. Dark lanes and BOK Globules are very prominent in this image. The faintest stars visible are greater than magnitude 17.5. As with most of the large southern sky emission nebulae, an open star cluster is also embedded in the nebula structure. H-II emission nebulae are excited to shine by intense radiation from these nearby massive hot young stars. The EAGLE Nebula is a beautiful object and easy target for CCD Imaging. For 35mm film astrophotography, a 45 minute prime focus, guided exposure with ASA400 film is necessary to record details, to the depth shown in the 2 minute CCD image above. M-16 is somewhat difficult for binoculars, but is a good object for amateur telescopes of 100mm or more aperture. This nebula does, however, require clear and dry, excellent observing conditions.

The “OMEGA” Nebula is a Magnitude 6.0 H-II Emission Nebula, located at RA 18hr 20m 47s, DEC -16o 10' 53", in the Constellation SAGITTARIUS. The nebula clouds are suggestive to me, of a boiled lobster, and I do not see a relationship to any recognizable Greek letters. M-17 is also known as the “SWAN” Nebula. This very large, 46' diameter, bright nebula is located in the rich milky way star fields of the summer southern night skies. Dark lanes and BOK Globules are very prominent in this image. HUBBLE Space Telescope images of M-17 show clear evidence of new star formation in the BOK Globule, just below the “lobster’s” head in the “crook” of the right claw, The faintest stars visible are greater than magnitude 17.5. As with most of the large southern sky emission nebulae, an open star cluster is also embedded in the nebula structure. H-II emission nebulae are excited to shine by intense radiation from these nearby massive hot young stars. The OMEGA Nebula is a beautiful object and easy target for CCD Imaging. M-17, as with M-16, the EAGLE Nebula, is somewhat difficult for binoculars, but is a good object for amateur telescopes of 100mm or more aperture. The nebula does, however, require clear and dry, excellent observing conditions.

The “TRIFID” Nebula is a Magnitude 6.3 H-II Emission Nebula, located at RA 18hr 02m 17s, DEC -23o 01' 54", in the Constellation SAGITTARIUS. The nebula clouds are suggestive to me, of a large flower with four spreading petals, with a smaller blossom above. This large, 12' x 29' total size, bright nebula is located in the rich milky way star fields of the summer southern night skies. Dark lanes and BOK Globules are very prominent in this image. The faintest stars visible are greater than magnitude 17.5. As with most of the large southern sky emission nebulae, an open star cluster is also embedded in the nebula structure. H-II emission nebulae are excited to shine by intense radiation from these nearby massive hot young stars. The TRIFID Nebula is a beautiful object and easy target for CCD Imaging. It is located just about 1.25o north of M-8 and both nebulae are easy to find by star hopping. M-20, however, is difficult for binoculars, but is a good object for amateur telescopes of 150mm or more aperture. This nebula does, however, require clear and dry, excellent observing conditions.