Lion Nebula

Sh2-132 | Cepheus | 22h 19' 18'', 56° 06' 00''

A faint emission nebula straddling the border of Cepheus and Lacerta, roughly 10,000 light-years away. Sh2-132 is energised by two Wolf-Rayet stars whose powerful winds shape the surrounding gas into complex filaments and shells. The nebula's common name comes from its vague resemblance to a lion's head in wider-field views, though the likeness is subtle and depends on processing choices.

This is a target that rewards patience — it's relatively dim and requires deep narrowband exposures to bring out the full extent of its structure. The SHO palette in particular reveals beautiful colour contrasts between the hydrogen-dominant core and the oxygen-rich outer regions.