SH2-63 (also cataloged as LBN 86) is an emission nebula, molecular cloud, and HII region located in the constellation Sagittarius. It’s an unusual, faint target with very low surface brightness, making it challenging but rewarding for deep-sky astrophotography. SH2-63 lies in the northeastern part of Sagittarius, about 700 to 1000 light-years from Earth.
Classification and Physical Properties
• Type: Emission nebula; also classified as a molecular cloud and HII region.
• Distance: Estimates vary between 700 and 1000 light years.
• Associated Features: Linked to nearby molecular clouds MBM 158 and MBM 159.
• Alternate Name: LBN 86.
• Other Nicknames: Sometimes referred to as The Ghost of Barnard’s Galaxy due to its proximity to Barnard’s Galaxy and its faint, ghostly appearance through telescopes.
Observational Details
• Imaging Challenges: Its extremely low surface brightness means that long integration times are needed for both color and luminance to reveal its subtle features. H-alpha is present but weak, so standard LRGB imaging tends to work better than narrowband-only approaches.
• Best Practices:
• Prioritize red and blue channels for color imaging.
• Allocating significant exposure for RGB, with less emphasis on H-alpha.
• Use high-sensitivity, low-noise cameras for optimal results.
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