Emission nebulae are among the most rewarding targets in astrophotography. Within these vast clouds of hydrogen and other gases, new stars are born, and their energetic radiation makes the surrounding gas glow – usually in the deep red of the hydrogen-alpha line. Classic H-II regions such as the North America Nebula and the Orion Nebula belong here, as do smaller, lesser-known objects from the Sharpless and NGC catalogs. Narrowband imaging brings out their full beauty: filters for hydrogen, oxygen and sulphur separate the individual emission lines and allow high-contrast, often vividly coloured results – even from light-polluted sites. Whether in natural broadband colour or the intense Hubble palette, emission nebulae offer endless creative possibilities. This page gathers every emission nebula I have photographed so far. Click into any object to learn more about it and see all the astrophoto posts it appears in.
The North America Nebula is a stellar region in the constellation Cygnus about 1,890 light-years away that reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early August.
The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, located about 6,700 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late July.
The Flaming Star Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Auriga, part of a complex that includes the reflection nebula vdB 34 at a distance of about 1,790 light-years, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early December.
The Rosette Nebula is a sprawling emission nebula in the constellation Monoceros, home to the open cluster NGC 2244 some 4,710 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late December.
The Pelican Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, located about 1,890 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early August.
LBN 728 is an emission nebula located in the constellation Ursa Major and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late January.
LBN 729 is an emission nebula located in the constellation Ursa Major and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late January.
The Eagle Nebula is an open cluster in the constellation Serpens, located 5,370 light-years from Earth, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late June.
The Orion Nebula is a luminous emission nebula in the constellation Orion, located about 1,630 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid December.
De Mairan's Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Orion, and it reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid December.
NGC 6914 is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus that reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late July.
Sh2-86 is an emission nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, intertwined with the open cluster NGC 6823, which lies about 6,170 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid July.
Sh2-119 is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus that reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid August.
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus, located about 3,260 light-years away, reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid August.
The Wizard Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus, located about 11,400 light-years from Earth, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early September.
Sh2-148 is an emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus, located about 18,900 light-years from Earth, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early September.
Sh2-152 is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia, located about 9,460 light-years away, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed early September.
The Tadpole Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Auriga, located about 13,100 light-years away, reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid December.
