5,000 light-year-old nebula photographed in UAE: A first for Emirati astronomers

In a remarkable astronomical achievement, astrophotographers from the Emirates Astronomy Society (EAS) have captured breathtaking images of a distant nebula from the skies of the UAE.

The phenomenon was spotted in the country’s eastern mountainous regions, offering a rare and awe-inspiring view of the Crescent Nebula, an object located thousands of light-years away from Earth.What Was Seen: the Crescent NebulaThe celestial object observed is the Crescent Nebula, scientifically designated as NGC 6888 and also known as Caldwell 27-Sharpless 105. This stunning emission nebula lies in the Cygnus constellation, roughly 5,000 light-years away from Earth.According to Tamim Al Tamimi, a member of the Emirates Astronomy Society and an astronomical photographer, the nebula was not only observed but also photographed in high resolution, providing a vivid glimpse into deep space from the UAE.

How the Nebula Was Formed

The nebula’s origin is tied to a dramatic cosmic event involving a dying star. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, explained the formation process in a statement to WAM (Emirates News Agency).

He said the Crescent Nebula was created by strong stellar winds from a Wolf-Rayet star, known as WR 136, which clashed with material previously ejected by the same star during its red giant phase. The result is a massive glowing bubble of gas composed largely of ionized hydrogen and oxygen.“This large gas bubble of ionized hydrogen and oxygen is formed and appears in fine detail when imaged using narrow-field techniques,” Al Jarwan noted.

How the Image Was Captured

The stunning images were the result of over 10 hours of observation, using specialized filters, H-alpha and O3, that help isolate specific wavelengths of light emitted by the nebula’s chemical elements. The data was then processed using the HOO (H-alpha, OIII, OIII) scientific color mode to clearly reveal the chemical structures within the nebula.Capturing these detailed images required a combination of advanced equipment and careful planning. The setup included:

A Milestone for Emirati Astronomy

The observation and photography of such a distant and intricate deep-sky object underscore the dedication and technical expertise of UAE’s growing astronomy community.Al Jarwan emphasized that this achievement reflects the resilience of Emirati astrophotographers, who continue their work despite harsh environmental conditions. “Night-time temperatures during the photographing period sometimes reach between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius in the mountainous or desert regions,” he said.This sighting not only showcases the beauty of space but also positions the UAE as an emerging center for serious astronomical observation and documentation, especially in regions not traditionally associated with deep-sky astrophotography.