SH2-308 Dolphin Nebula

SH2-308, also known as the "Dolphin Nebula" or "Dolphin Head Nebula," is an emission nebula located in the constellation Canis Major, approximately 4,530 to 5,000 light-years away from Earth. It has a bubble-like appearance with a diameter of about 60 light-years and spans an area of the sky slightly larger than the full Moon. However, its brightness is relatively low, requiring narrowband filters for clear imaging.

This nebula was formed by the central Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris. Stars of this type have more than 20 times the mass of the Sun and are in a late evolutionary stage, just before becoming supernovae. Around 70,000 years ago, EZ Canis Majoris emitted high-velocity stellar winds that swept through slower-moving material previously ejected, creating the spectacular bubble structure. The radiation from ionized oxygen atoms within the nebula gives it a bluish-green glow in images.

Skywatcher Quattro 200P/F4
ToupTek 2600MM
Skywatcher EQ6R
Antlia 4.5nm
Hax72, O3x60, 600s
Total integration time: 22hrs