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Gyulbudaghian's variable nebula

 

This is a big name for a small smudge on a photo.

 2012 Jan 23

Canon EOS 5D MkII ISO6400 53x32s
254mm Newtonian f=1200mm f/4.8
HEQ5 equatorial mount, driven but not guided
2012 Jan 23 20:27:57-21:03:53 UT
From Rookhope 54.8N 2.1W 330m asl. Rural, almost no light pollution (3 Bortles)

 2011 Sep 28

Canon EOS 5D MkII ISO6400 33x30s 254mm Newtonian f/4.8 (f=1200mm)
HEQ5 mount, driven but not guided 2011 Sep 28 23:25:29-23:44:42 UT
From Rookhope 54.8N 2.1W 330m asl. Rural, almost no light pollution (3 Bortles)

The nebula is the faint fan-shaped area just above and left of centre. Notice a small star at the bottom of the fan. The star is a variable star, PV Cephei. The brightness of the nebula follows that of the star after a delay of a few weeks, so its size is of the order of light-weeks. It is also surrounded by a much larger dark nebula and the fan shape may be due to an opening in the dark cloud.

Not many variable nebulae are known and probably more await discovery.

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