VdB 126 is a blue reflection nebula located in the constellation Vulpecula, surrounded by numerous dark nebulae and dense star fields in the Milky Way. It is catalogued as part of the van den Bergh (VdB) catalog of reflection nebulae.
Location and Appearance
- • VdB 126 is found along the line between the stars Albireo (in Cygnus) and Alpha Vulpeculae, placing it prominently within Vulpecula.
- • The nebula is characterized by its bluish glow, which results from light from nearby stars reflecting off dust in the nebula. It appears as a small, intricate patch surrounded by various dark nebulae, including LDN 769 and LBN 134.
- • Its appearance has been described as resembling a “black claw,” due to the shape of obscuring dust against the star field.
Notable Features and Associated Objects
- • VdB 126 is associated with the hot B-class giant star HD 189218, which provides illumination and causes the surrounding dust to shine by reflection, not by ionization. The temperature of the region is not sufficient to ionize the surrounding hydrogen and create emission nebula features.
- • The area is extremely rich in stars and interstellar dust, making it a striking field for visual and photographic observation.
- • It is located near other catalogued objects such as LBN 134, LDN 769, and NGC 6793, making the wider region a target for deep-sky imaging.
Imaging Details
- • Astrophotographers commonly use long integration times to capture the faint reflection features of VdB 126 against the highly populated and dusty background. Typical exposures may total 10 hours or more using dedicated CCD cameras and filters to extract color and structural detail.
VdB 126 is a visually rewarding object for advanced imaging under dark skies, especially for those interested in reflection and dark nebulae in rich Milky Way star fields.
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