VDB 123

This colorful nebula is embedded in a large cloud of dust and gas known as the Serpens Cloud3. This cloud overlays a rich field of background Milky Way stars. These background stars appear to be heavily "reddened" by the cloud's intervening dust. A large dark nebula extending throughout the region is cataloged Dobashi 12605,6. These areas of dense dust obscures background stars and other celestial objects. The bright blue central nebula shines from light reflected from the bright star designed HD 1706341. The blue color is a result of the surrounding dust reflecting the shorter wavelengths of light more efficiently than longer wavelengths. This is essentially the same phenomena that makes our Earthly sky appear blue.

Standing out in contrast to VDB 123 just to the right of the blue vdB nebula is a red/orange bi-polar nebula known as the Serpens Reflection Nebula. (SNR)4 It is being illuminated by the relative low mass star designated Serpens/SVS 24. The nebula's outflow appears to be heavily influenced by embedded magnetic fields. This may have triggered the bi-polar shape of the nebula.

Imaged in LRGB with our PlaneWave CDK 24 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.

Image Processing: Mark Hanson

Data: Hanson, Mazlin, Parker, Forman

Enjoy,

Mark