Fenrir Returns!

When I first imaged this three years ago I encountered some tracking issues. Although the resulting image was shortlisted and published in the Greenwich Observatory IAPOTY yearbook, I kinda felt the need to revisit this and do it properly.

Unfortunately, we’re back in lockdown here in Melbourne, Australia, and with travel restrictions in force I can’t get to a dark site – so this HaRGB version from my suburban bortle 7 backyard will have to suffice for now! There was some high cloud about while capturing the RGB, creating soft haloes around the stars, reminiscent of the Akira Fuji effect. (I quite liked this look and may be guilty of emphasising this a bit in post … lol) 😉

Andy Campbell, Melbourne- Australia, June 2021

About this Nebula

Noted Kiwi Astrophotographer Rolf Wahl Olsen noticed the resemblance to the monster of mythology and popularized the object as FENRIR NEBULA.SL 17 (Sandqvist and Lindroos 17) is the official name of this object. This dark nebula near the Dark Tower is known as SL 17. Not very often imaged, but sure looks like a wolf!

According to Wikipedia: In Nordic mythology Fenrir is a monstrous wolf. In mythology Fenrir is the father of the wolves SKOLL and HATI and is one of the sons of LOKI. He is presaged to kill the ODIN God during RAGNAROK and be killed by the son of ODIN VIDAR. Located in the constellation of Scorpio, the resemblance to the monster of mythology appears ready for attack, like an immense dark shadow leaping into space.
(Text borrowed from Maicon Germiniani)