IC 417 Spider Nebula
Author: Rita Castilho
Date: December 2023 and January 2024
Location: Faro (Portugal), Bortle 5
Telescope: Askar FRA600
Camera: ZWO ASI 294 MC
Filters: Askar D1 (Ha + OIII) and D2 (OIII + SII)
Integration time: 33h 30m
IC 417 Spider Nebula
Author: Rita Castilho
Date: December 2023 and January 2024
Location: Faro (Portugal), Bortle 5
Telescope: Askar FRA600
Camera: ZWO ASI 294 MC
Filters: Askar D1 (Ha + OIII) and D2 (OIII + SII)
Integration time: 33h 30m
Distance from Earth: 10,000 light-years
It is a region of ionized hydrogen located in the constellation Auriga. It is part of a vast complex of interstellar gas and dust where active star formation is taking place. Ultraviolet radiation emitted by young, massive stars ionizes the surrounding gas, producing the characteristic reddish glow observed in this nebula. Its filamentary structures and cavities—sculpted by stellar winds—give it the appearance that inspired the name "Spider Nebula."