SH2-232 & PK 173+3.1 (Oct. 20, 2011)

This rather dim cloud of hydrogen is found in the constellation Auriga.  I don't know much about it, but I'm always intrigued when nature makes a more geometrical shape.  There are forces at work here!  This is the object I trained the SXVF-H9 on for the rest of the night after NGC 281, before I sent the camera off for repairs.

Smack dab in the middle of this nebula sh2-232 is another nebula, a planetary nebula called PK 173+3.1.  It is very small.  In the middle of sh2-232 are three brighter stars, two together and one just a bit a way.  The planetary is the fourth bright (but diffuse) object in the group.  It forms a triangle with the two brighter stars that are closer together.  Here is a closeup on the planetary.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: SXVF-H9, 15x15'
Filter: Astronomik 12nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX