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Sh2 132

Cep

• H.alpha
• Oxygen III
• Sulfur II

• 22 x 900 sec - 4h 30min
• 20 x 900 sec - 5h
• 24 x 900 sec - 6h

• UNBINNED
• UNBINNED
• UNBINNED

Sh2-132 is an extended emission nebula visible in the constellation of Cepheus.
It is located on the southern edge of the constellation, a short distance from the border with Lizard, along the plane of the Milky Way; the best period for its observation in the evening sky falls between the months of July and December and is considerably facilitated for observers located in the regions of the northern hemisphere of the Earth.

Sh2-132 is located at a distance of almost 3200 parsecs (almost 10400 light years), thus placing it within the Perseus Arm, in the region of Cepheus OB1, a large and bright OB association. The stars responsible for the ionization of its gases are very hot and massive; in particular, two Wolf-Rayet stars have been identified, known by the acronyms HD 211564 and HD 211853 (the latter also having the acronym WR 153), as well as a star of spectral class O8.5V and about ten stars of class B. Around the star of class O and one of the Wolf-Rayet stars there is a bubble clearly visible in the radio wave band, identified by the acronym Shell B, probably originating from the stellar wind of the two massive stars. A similar but smaller structure, Shell A, hosts a star of class K near its center. It is believed that chain star formation processes have taken place in the past in the nebula; currently these processes seem to be suspended, since there is no trace of recent activity. Nine sources of infrared radiation and a maser with H2O emissions have been identified in the direction of the nebula.