SH2-54 & NGC 6604

Sh2-54 is an extended bright nebula in the constellation of Serpens.
In its core there are many protostars and many infrared sources; some of these sources, like IRAS 18151−1208, are most probably very young high-mass stars. The older star population in this region has an average age of 4-5 million years, and its components are grouped in the open cluster NGC 6604.
Sh2-54 belongs to an extended nebulosity that includes also the Eagle Nebula and the Omega Nebula. The young high-mass stars of this region constitute the Serpens OB1 and Serpens OB2 OB association.
Because of its proximity to The Eagle Nebula, this area appears not to be imaged very often - but I found it worth the effort in order to show this very active and beautiful area of the sky.

Full capture details 
  www.kinchastro.com/sh2-54--ngc-6604.html

Hi Brendan, thanks for posting this shot, you clearly put some effort into this not so well known area of our Milkyway. I have always wondered about this area when viewing around M16 for many years as to why it's not that well know, probably because it's not so bright as M16 and M17. 

I'll put my APM 120mm apo binoculars on it next clear night, i'd be curious to see what this area will reveal.

Keith.

Yes indeed....it will be interesting to know how it is visually. With my camera set up - there is no way I can just take it off to have a peep

Hi Brendan,

Very many thanks for sharing another one of your fantastic images with us. The colour contrast in this shot is particularly nice.

Very well done!

Clear skies to you,

Darren.

Thanks Darren.

I am sure the Narrow Band colours are somewhat off-putting (to say the least) for visual astronomers but I hope at least some can understand that, without using such filters, the detail just does not come through. The colour scheme used by the photographer is totally arbitrary in an effort to show detail....and detail has always been my goal.

So - not in particular to Darren but all who look in here - I hope you can view the images with that in mind.

Hi Brendan, 

I have very little knowledge of what it takes to produce such beautiful images, so I wouldn't really understand what effect a Narrow Band Filter has on an image - please pardon my ignorance. What I can say with certainty though, is this: Your images always capture my interest, and inspire me to find out more about the object. When you upload a new image it always puts a smile on my face.

Clear skies,

Darren.