LDN 43, the Cosmic Bat nebula
Constellation: Ophiuchus
LDN 43, also known as the Cosmic Bat nebula is a dark nebula obscuring LBN 7, a bright nebula that lies behind it, in the constellation of Ophiuchus. LBN 7 is the illuminated dust surrounding the dark LBN 43 nebula. The small galaxy seen below LDN 43 is LEDA 3868080. This galaxy is located 400 million light years away. It is slightly larger than our Milky Way, at about 130,000 light years in diameter. Link to interactive sky chart.
Dates:
Data acquired remotely in May and July 2023 using Martin Pugh’s equipment.
His telescope is located in Australia (Observatory: Heaven’s second mirror, NSW).
Colour palette is LRGB.
Telescope & Mount:
SharpStar 140mm (F4.8) on a Software Bisque Paramount ME II mount.
Imaging:
Camera: SBIG STXL16200, FW8G
Data:
Astrodon Blue: 55x300s
Astrodon Green: 55x300s
Astrodon Red: 55x300s
Astrodon Lum: 68x300s
Total integration time: 19h 25′
Dates:
This is derived from the outstanding data taken by Martin Pugh during May and June 2025 (Martin’s website: Remote Astrophotography with Martin Pugh (martinpughastrophotography.space).
His telescope is located in Chile (Observatory: El Sauce).
Colour palette is LRGB.
Telescope & Mount:
Planewave CDK24 on a Planewave L600 mount.
Imaging:
Camera: Moravian G3-61000 (bin 2×2)
Data:
Astrodon Lum: 52x600s
Astrodon Red: 36x600s
Astrodon Green: 36x600s
Astrodon blue: 36x600s
Total integration time: 26h 60′