Sh2-29 is often ignored by astrophotographers, probably because it lies close to its more popular cousins, the Lagoon and Trifid nebula. It is a target with a rich smorgasbord of color, contrast and texture. The diffused red glow permeating this image comes from the emission of hydrogen gas, while the shimmering blue light is caused by the reflection and scattering of light from the stars, off small dust particles. Patches of dust block out the light as it travels towards us, preventing us from seeing the stars behind it, and smaller tendrils of dust create the dark filamentary structures within the clouds.