The Amazing "Eastern Veil Nebula"
The Truth: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.(Ps 19 1-4).
Deep Sky Object Information:
5000-6000 years ago a supernova star exploded and was so bright it allegedly out-shone
the full moon. It quickly dimmed but oxygen, sulphur & hydrogen emissions have
rolled-out in a circular shock wave ever since. This image of “The Eastern Veil
Nebula” frames the brightest section of that circular shock wave. It is located
right next door in our galaxy at roughly 1500 light years distance.
My Image Details: 42
x 4.5minute frames stacked together = 3hrs 9min total exposure length @
1600iso, shot light-pollution-free at Aylen Lake, ON about 6’ from shore! Shot
on August 9th-10th, 2013.
That Night: As an amateur astronomer and astro-imager, I am obviously not scared of the dark!.. And obliviously not scared of any hairy or slimy creatures that may be lurking in the dark! I am a well seasoned 45 year-old man, who has long since left behind any childish notions that there may be spooky, beady-eyed, sharp toothed monsters lurking in the pitch-black forest, awaiting my close approach...
The night I imaged the Eastern Veil was so black, only star light illuminated the long path from my telescope at the lake shore to the safety of the back cottage door (flash lights are prohibited when astro-imaging). I had made my last trip down the path at 3am, to shut-down and cover my equipment. Suddenly, from the darkness, I heard a swiftly approaching, heavy footed... THING!!!. Was this it?! Was I about to be reduced to a casual nightly meal?! Every scary episode of Scooby-Doo flashed through my mind!!! Suddenly, I notice a light admitting from my "monster's" location. OH NO!!! IT MUST BE A GLOWING ALIEN MONSTER!!!... Well... My monster was holding his iphone to light the path ahead of him. It turns out, our next door neighbour’s son was returning to his cottage after a night with friends. We chatted for awhile in the darkness. I’m not sure he realized the trauma he inadvertently created. And, I hope my overt panting wasn’t overly noticeable.
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| Set up and ready for a clear night shooting the Eastern Veil Nebula |
