Sh2 115

 🇺🇸 SH2-115 & SH2-116 – The Hidden Gems of Cygnus 🌌 🇺🇸
Located in the constellation Cygnus, Sharpless 2-115 is a vast emission nebula about 7,500 light-years away. This cloud of ionized hydrogen glows mainly in Hα, excited by the powerful stellar winds and radiation from young massive stars. Its intricate structure blends bright regions and diffuse filaments, standing out against a background rich in interstellar dust.

Below it lies Sharpless 2-116, also known as Abell 71. Once thought to be a planetary nebula, it is in fact an H II region, likely interacting with a nearby molecular cloud. In the SHO palette, its bluish hue reveals a strong O III emission, creating a striking contrast with the coppery tones of sulfur and hydrogen.

This image combines narrowband S II, Hα, and O III filters (SHO palette), highlighting the richness and variety of gas structures in this vibrant region of the Milky Way. 🇺🇸