IC 2966 is a small reflection and emission nebula found in the constellation, Musca, lying just south of
the border with Centaurus. It was discovered by James Dunlop in 1826 and lies approx. 3-deg SE of its
more prominent neighbour, IC 2944 (Running Chicken Nebula). Little information appears to be published
on this object; distance is unknown.
The much larger object, designated as G296.2-2.8, is believed to be a supernova remnant. A preliminary
study of this object has been made by Andrew J. Walker at the University of Wollongong, NSW
(
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Freferer%3D%26httpsredir%3D1%26filename%3D0%26amp%3Barticle%3D1726
%26amp%3Bcontext%3Dtheses%26amp%3Btype%3Dadditional&ved=2ahUKEwjym_un68CFAxWkr1YBH
Ve5CAoQFnoECCAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0BamGvee3nxJboZDQB568p). Again, this is a poorly studied object
in our southern skies. It extends almost the entire height of this image, and more than half its width,
making it more than 1=deg. in diameter. Several “filaments” are apparent.
I have used a H+O+S quadband filter in an effort to display the nebulosity of this complex region in greater
detail. Additionally, I have held back the contribution of the stars in this very star-dense section of sky for
the same reasons.
Telescope: William Optics RedCat71 refractor ( f=350mm)
Camera: ZWO ASI183MC Pro
Exposure: 69 x 600 sec, Optolong L-Quad filter, gain=250
Bortle 3-4 sky, basically Moonless
Field of View: approx. 1º 50’ x 1º 20’
Image processed and prepared in PixInsight and Photoshop Elements
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