SH2 64 also known as Westerhout 40 is a Hydrogen emission nebula with some surrounding reflection components and dust clouds including dark nebulae and integrated flux nebula and is situated around 1000 light years away in Serpens. It is part of the Serpens cloud complex
There is something about this vista that is both dramatic and yet slightly ominous. The red hydrogen region is often called the embers and glows as if it were on fire. The myriad stars shine brightly with a golden sheen as the region is an active stellar nursery.
We see this image as a compact area but in fact it spans 25 light years. While the Embers portion of the the best know feature I have always found the background regions even more interesting.
Imaged in LRGB on my Planewave DR 350 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image acquisition and Processing: Mike Selby
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