IC2944 - The Running Chicken Nebula

Description and Details: C 2944 is a bright emission nebula associated with a young open star cluster located in the southern constellation Centaurus. This active region of the interstellar medium is rich in ionized hydrogen gas, interstellar dust, and recently formed stars. Its glowing structures are sculpted by the intense radiation and stellar winds from hot, massive stars embedded within the nebula.

The complex spans roughly 100 light-years and lies at an estimated distance of about 6,500 light-years from Earth. With an apparent magnitude around 4.5 and an angular diameter of approximately 75 arcminutes, it can be observed under dark skies with binoculars. IC 2944 is also cataloged as Caldwell 100 and is sometimes referenced as RCW 62 or Collinder 249.mage acquisition details:

Location: Chile – Sadr Observatory
Telescope: TEC 140 (980 mm focal length)
Mount: EQ8
Camera: ZWO ASI 6200MM
Filters: Antlia SHO narrowband filters

Ha: 106 × 300 s (8h 50m)
OIII: 105 × 300 s (8h 45m)
SII: 69 × 300 s (5h 45m)

Total integration time: 23h 20m

Processing: PixInsight, Siril, and Adobe Photoshop.

Copyright:: Cédric Humbert