A Violent Ghost in the Taurus Constellation
Sh2-240, more commonly known as Simeis 147, is a massive supernova remnant (SNR) spanning approximately 3 degrees across the border of Taurus and Auriga. This intricate web of glowing gas is what remains of a star that exploded roughly 40,000 years ago.
The nebula consists of extremely thin, braided filaments of gas that are moving outward at high speeds. These filaments are illuminated as they collide with the interstellar medium, creating a complex, three-dimensional shell that appears as delicate "spaghetti" strands in long-exposure astrophotography.
Imaging Challenges
- Extremely low surface brightness; Sh2-240 is widely considered one of the faintest HII regions in the Sharpless catalog.
- The sheer size (3x3 degrees) requires a wide-field instrument or a multi-panel mosaic to capture the full remnant.
- Massive star density in the Auriga/Taurus border requires aggressive star reduction to prevent the filaments from being overwhelmed.
"Capturing the Spaghetti Nebula is a test of patience; it only reveals its secrets after dozens of hours of integration, emerging from the dark noise of the void."