Hi all,
JAWS in the night sky!
Not an easy target for last night’s session! The ‘Dark Shark’ Nebula, or LDN1235.
LDN 1235, also known as the 'Dark Shark Nebula', is a striking dark nebula in the constellation Cepheus, roughly 650 light-years away. Unlike emission or reflection nebulae, it doesn’t glow on its own but instead appears as a dense, dusty cloud silhouetted against the faint background starlight and distant galaxies. Its shape, resembling a cosmic shark swimming through the depths of space, is what earned it its popular nickname. This nebula is part of a larger complex of interstellar dust, rich in carbon and organic molecules, where star formation may eventually occur. For astrophotographers, LDN 1235 is a challenging but rewarding target, revealing delicate structures and a mysterious, almost eerie beauty.
3 Hours and 29 min – 209 subs – 60 seconds exposure – Gain 60 – Astro filter
Overall, in view of the more challenging object to capture, not a bad result! Happy putting this cosmic shark on file! Will add this one on my list of objects to revisit once in a while, to add more light to it!
I’m typically not a big fan of starless images, but for this one, an exception to highlight the shark pattern.
To endless exploration, starry nights, and a little bit of cosmic nerdiness!
TTG
