Sharpless 2-188, often called the Shrimp Nebula, is an unusual planetary nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia.
Unlike many planetary nebulae that appear roughly symmetrical, Sh2-188
has a distinctive crescent or arc-shaped appearance because it is interacting strongly with the
surrounding interstellar medium. The nebula was originally thought to be a supernova remnant
before its true nature was confirmed.


Sh2-188 lies approximately 700-850 light-years from Earth.
It is roughly 9 light-years across, making it one of the larger known planetary nebulae.

The object formed when a Sun-like star neared the end of its life and expelled its outer layers
into space. Today, the nebula's expanding gas shell is colliding with surrounding interstellar
material, creating a bright bow-shaped rim and faint trailing structures that reveal its motion
through the galaxy.

Image Data:
Telescope: Planewave CDK 14"
Camera: ZWO ASI6200
Exposure: hydrogen-alpha 5 min x 36 and oxygen-III 5 min x 52 , RGB 3 min x 6 minutes each