Observations of the Brightest Regions of Three Diffuse Nebulae

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Abstract
Observations, by direct photography and spectroscopy, of the three diffuse nebulae M16, M20 and M8 are presented and discussed, with special reference to the bright rims around associated dark lanes. The spectra of the rims are found to consist of a strengthening of the nebular spectrum. The ratio Hβ /N I is greater at or near the rims. Weak continuous spectrum is found in the brightest rim of M16. Qualitative evidence is presented that the dark matter is moving inwards towards a central star or stars against the bright nebulosity. The brightest part of M8 reveals a complex structure intimately associated with faint stars. A green photograph, avoiding emission lines, reveals nuclei which may be stellar. There is a strong continuous spectrum, in addition to a nebular spectrum with permitted lines enhanced relative to forbidden.

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