RCW 104, CDK24

RCW 104, RCW 104 is an oval shaped emission nebula close to the plane of our Milky Way in the southern constellation of Norma. It is part of 180 objects of the RCW catalogue. The emission material is being expanded by the strong stellar winds produced by the star WR 75 near the center of the image. Wolf Rayet stars are extremely hot. Their surface temperatures range from 30,000 k to around 200,000 k, hotter than almost all other stars. They have broad spectra, but lack in hydrogen. This image is made using narrowband 3nm filters that capture emissions from Sulfur, Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.  These emissions are created because of ultraviolet light from these massive OB stars  excite the Sulfur, Hydrogen and Oxygen gases which then re radiate light at their characteristic wavelengths. The Red color comes from Sulfur emission,  Green from Hydrogen emission  and the Blue from Oxygen emission.  The image was taken with a 24″ Planewave telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile.