The Gamma Cygni Nebula – Sh2-108/IC 1318

Also called the Butterfly Nebula (not to be confused with the planetary nebula NGC 6302 in Scorpius that also goes by that common name), the Gamma Cygni Nebula is a star-forming region roughly 4,900 light-years away in the Cygnus (the Swan) constellation. It surrounds the star Gamma Cygni, a giant white-yellow star that sits at the intersection of the Northern Cross. The star Gamma Cygni is commonly called Sadr, which in Arabic means “the hen’s breast.”

Although Sadr appears to be part of the nebula, it is much closer to us at a distance of only 1,800 light years. The Gamma Cygni Nebula has given birth to a number of open star clusters and continues to form new stars in its depths.

Taken at home before toting the TOA130 out to Deep Sky West, where it now lives, this was the first image I took with that telescope.