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.
Sharpless 229, also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, is a combination of reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga, approximately 1,500 light-years away from Earth. This nebula reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight around mid-December ...
The Rosette Nebula is a large emission nebula located in the constellation Monoceros, approximately 5,219 light-years away from Earth, reaching its annual culmination at astronomical midnight at the end of December ...
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 bright diffuse nebula located in the constellation Orion, approximately 1,344 light-years away from Earth, and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight mid December ...
Messier 43, located in the Orion constellation, is approximately 1,300 light-years away and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight around mid-December ...
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 ...
Sh2-131, also known as the Elephant's Trunk Nebula, is a dark globule and star-forming region located in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 2,400 light-years away from Earth, reaching its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed mid August ...
The Wizard Nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 5545 light-years from Earth. It reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight in early September ...
Sh2-147, Sh2-148 and Sh2-149 compact H II patches in Cepheus roughly 4,500 light-years away. Sh2-152 and Sh2-153: Two adjacent H II regions in Cassiopeia about 4,500 light-years away. Those are best observable in September ...
Sharpless 236, also known as IC 410 or the Tadpole Nebula, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga, approximately 2185 light-years away from Earth, reaching its annual culmination at astronomical midnight mid. December ...
The Monkey Head Nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Orion, approximately 3,200 light-years away from Earth, reaching its annual culmination at astronomical midnight at the end of December ...
The Flame Nebula is a bright emission nebula located in the constellation Orion, approximately 900-1,500 light-years away from Earth. It reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight mid December ...
The Pelican Nebula, located in the constellation Cygnus, is approximately 1,800 light-years away from Earth and reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight early August ...
NGC 6914 is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus that reaches its annual culmination at astronomical midnight and is best observed late July ...
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 ...
