RCW 104 — Filaments of a Stellar Bubble

RCW 104 is a complex emission nebula located in the southern constellation Norma, part of a rich region of ionised hydrogen shaped by nearby massive stars. The intricate filaments and shell-like structures seen here are sculpted by stellar winds and radiation, creating a delicate interplay between turbulence and illumination.

This image was processed using a narrowband SHO palette, allowing the different ionisation regions to be separated into colour. The result highlights the contrast between the energetic interior gas and the surrounding structures, revealing both fine filamentary detail and broader diffuse emission.