Stellar Shot of the Week

Robert Van Vugt captured this magnificent image of the Clamshell Nebula in Cygnus with his Stellarvue 70 Triplet. Resting 2,200 light-years away from Earth, this nebula is a glowing cloud of gas and dust, illuminated by light from nearby stars. As they age, these stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, releasing it back into space, seeding new generations of stars and planets.

According to Robert:
“The summer of "Sharpless" continues. SH2-119, commonly known as The Clamshell Nebula, is a bright and intriguing emission nebula that resides within the rich constellation of Cygnus. This remarkable nebula is not merely a standalone object; it is an integral part of a much larger complex of star-forming regions that dominate the area, showcasing a striking combination of hydrogen-alpha emission alongside intricate and delicate structures that bear a striking resemblance to the open shells of clams. This unique morphology lends the nebula a distinctive and eye-catching appearance that draws the attention of astronomy enthusiasts. The nebula is situated approximately 2200 light-years away from our planet and spans about 2.5 light-years across, thus providing a rich and intricate target for imaging. The bright star is 68 Cygni, located smack in the middle of the donut hole in this image, is around magnitude 5, and is one of the stars responsible for ionizing the surrounding gas. Scattered throughout this region are several brighter emission patches and dark nebulae with their own LBN and LDN designations. Its vibrant and varied colors, coupled with the dynamic interplay of light, gas, and dark dust clouds make SH2-119 a truly fascinating subject of study."

Other Designations: Sh2-119, Clamshell Nebula, LBN 254, PK 87-3.1, 68 Cygni

Details:

Telescope: Stellarvue 70 Triplet w/ 25FT @443mm f/6 (Bortle 5)

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC-P -10c 61x240s + 5 darks, 35 Flats, 35 Dark Flats

Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 178mm

Autofocuser: ZWO EAF 5v for Focus

Mount: Orion AZ/EQ-G Pro

Filters: Antlia ALP-T Dual NB & IR/UV Filters

Software: NINA, DSS, PI, PS

References:

Sh2-119 The Clamshell Nebula. (2023, March 19). skyandtelescope.com. https://skyandtelescope.org/online-gallery/sh2-119-the-clamshell-nebula/

Cosgrove, P. A. (2025, July 30). SH2-119 The Clamshell Nebula (3.5 hours in SHO) - An Unintended image — Cosgrove’s Cosmos. Cosgrove’s Cosmos. https://cosgrovescosmos.com/projects/sh2-119clamshell