Object 9 From Outer Space (Sh2-305, 306, 307, 309, and StDr Object 9)
March 18, 2026
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Three of these four objects are part of the same molecular cloud in the southern Puppis Constellation, and are associated with the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way. According to Georgelin, et al, they are all roughly 13,000 to 14,000 light years away.
Sh2-305 is a stellar nursery where at least 116 young stars have been identified. Sh2-307 is thought to be much closer to us at around 7,500 light years and is therefore not part of the larger molecular cloud that contains the other three Sharpless objects in the image.
The title of the image dates me. It’s a spoof on StDr Object 9 and one of the worst movies ever made:
Takahashi FSQ106 - Moravian C3-61000
Telescope
Finder Chart
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Total integration: 25h 36m
Integration per filter:
- R: 30m (30 × 60")
- G: 36m (36 × 60")
- B: 40m (40 × 60")
- Hα: 8h 15m (99 × 300")
- SII: 7h 45m (93 × 300")
- OIII: 7h 50m (94 × 300")
Coordinates: 7h 32m 38.33s · -19° 29′ 53.9″
Image Capture
Location:
Deep Sky West
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