Flaming Skull Nebula SH2-68 with cometary like tail

Image Title: Flaming Skull Nebula SH2-68 with cometary like tail

Copyright: Franklin Marek

Date image was taken: July 11, 2026

Location: Madisonville, LA

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: SH2-68 is a little studied ancient low surface brightness planetary nebula with an amazing name The Flaming Skull Nebula. What makes it really interesting is it is a confirmed case of PN-interstellar-medium interaction creating almost a cometary like tail. I hope you guys enjoy the image and the science below!

My Video on this object: https://youtu.be/tN6IzCNIQgs

My technical paper: https://www.setiastro.com/s/Calibrated-Emission-Line-Surface-Photometry-of-the-High-Proper-Motion-Planetary-Nebula-SH2-68.pdf

Acquisition details:
Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses
iOptron 10-inch F/4 Imaging Newtonian
Imaging Cameras
ZWO ASI294MM Pro
Mounts
Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro
Filters
Antlia EDGE H-alpha 4.5nm 2" · Antlia EDGE OIII 4.5 nm 2" · Antlia EDGE SII 4.5 nm 2"
Accessories
Askar M54 OAG × · MoonLite CRL 2.5 inch Large Format Newtonian Focuser · Sharpstar 2" 0.95× coma corrector (CRC2095) × · WandererAstro WandererRotator Mini · ZWO EFW 7 x 2″

Dates:
June 9 - 11, 2026
June 28 - 29, 2026
July 3, 2026
July 7 - 11, 2026
Frames:
Antlia EDGE H-alpha 4.5nm 2": 30×900″(7h 30′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -10°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE H-alpha 4.5nm 2": 13×900″(3h 15′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -5°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE H-alpha 4.5nm 2": 31×900″(7h 45′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -8°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE OIII 4.5 nm 2": 51×900″(12h 45′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -10°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE OIII 4.5 nm 2": 21×900″(5h 15′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -8°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE SII 4.5 nm 2": 18×900″(4h 30′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -10°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE SII 4.5 nm 2": 31×900″(7h 45′) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -8°C bin 1×1
Antlia EDGE SII 4.5 nm 2": 4×900″(1h) (gain: 121.00) f/3.8 -9°C bin 1×1
Integration:
49h 45′
Avg. Moon age:
22.37 days
Avg. Moon phase:
48.40%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:
6.00
Temperature:
23.93°C

Name: Franklin Marek

Email:frank@setiastro.com

Website or Facebook Profile:http://www.setiastro.com