Eighth-Note Nebula = LMC-N55 = DEM L 228 = LH 72

05 32 19 -66 26 19; Dor
Size 7’x4′

30″ (10/14/15 – OzSky): at 303x (without filter) + 152x (with NPB filter); even without a filter the “Eighth Note Nebula” is a gorgeous object, with ~75 stars (association LH 72) in a 7’x3′ region elongated NW-SE. A very large, detailed nebula encompasses these stars. There are four main sections of nebulosity.

The largest and brightest section is at the SE end. It extends ~2.5′ diameter in an uneven, knotty circular glow. N55A is a 1′ slightly brighter patch on its NE side. About two-dozen stars are involved including O6-type mag 12.3 HD 269730 and two mag 13 stars at the NW and NE end.

A second small, detached 35″ glow lies ~2′ NW of N55A. Unfiltered, 4 or 5 mag 15-15.5 stars are involved. A larger roundish glow, about 1′ diameter, is 2′ further NNW. A few mag 15 stars are involved and mag 11.5 HD 269722 (brightest in the cluster, type OBe) is 1.4′ ENE. Finally the 4th and faintest piece is a 50″ detached glow that is close north of HD 269722. Three mag 14-14.5 stars are involved. The NPB filter enhances the nebulosity, presenting a showpiece object similar in detail to the red DSS2 image! The three southern nebulous glows all have an irregular surface brightness and are connected by very faint nebulosity. NGC 2003 lies 8′ W.

The Eighth Note Nebula is located ~35′ N of the “Quadrant Arc”, an arching collection of associations (LH 65, 77 and 84), extending roughly 40′ E-W and 15′ N-S, bowed out to the south. This region includes NGC 2002, NGC 2006/S-L 538, NGC 2027 and NGC 2034. It is also situated inside the Supergiant Shell (SGS) LMC 4, which includes N64 and N62 to the ENE, along with NGCs 1978 and 1948 (and more) to the WNW.