AAPOD2 Image Archives

2025 Charles Lillo 2025 Charles Lillo

Cepheus Dust – LDN 1251, LDN 1235, and VdB 152

This wide-field view reveals a dark and dusty region in the constellation Cepheus, filled with dense clouds that block background starlight and sculpt striking shapes across the field. The scene includes Lynds Dark Nebulae LDN 1251 and LDN 1235, along with reflection nebula VdB 152, each tracing cold interstellar matter that will one day collapse into new stars. At the lower part of the frame, faint red emission filaments mark regions of shocked gas, remnants of past energetic events.

Such dusty complexes are often overlooked compared to their brighter emission nebula counterparts, yet they play a crucial role in the life cycle of the galaxy. By both obscuring and seeding future stellar nurseries, these clouds act as cosmic incubators. Images like this highlight not only the complexity of Cepheus but also the intricate balance between destruction and creation within the interstellar medium.

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July 2024, 2024 Charles Lillo July 2024, 2024 Charles Lillo

Into The Depths (LDN1235 - Dark Shark Nebula)

LDN 1235, also known as the Dark Shark Nebula, is a fascinating dark nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. This striking region of space resembles a shark swimming through the cosmos, with dark, dusty clouds obscuring the light from the stars behind it. The nebula is an area where interstellar dust and gas are dense enough to block visible light, creating a silhouette against the brighter background of the Milky Way.

This particular deep exposure of the Dark Shark Nebula was captured from a personal remote observatory in Trevinca, Spain. The detailed image reveals the intricate structure of the nebula, highlighting its dense, dark regions as well as the faint, surrounding wisps of interstellar material. The clear skies and advanced equipment at the Trevinca observatory allowed for an exceptionally detailed view, showcasing the beauty and complexity of this cosmic phenomenon.

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