Alves 2 is an ISM nebula in Auriga with a very intriguing structure. It was discovered a LONG time ago in 2013 by Filipe Alves. If one goes searching for information about this object, you will find nothing. No HASH, no PNnet, etc. This is one of those objects that doesn't really fit the box for anything that can be cataloged for amateurs by professionals, and so often times nothing is done with these objects after their rejection from various catalogers. The only reason I was able to find this out was from
@Marcel Drechsler who kindly shared with my some information, including a spectra of the object that was recorded in 2020.
I encountered the object about five days ago while doing my own surveying, and decided to make a quick O3-rgb image of the object over the course of two nights with my triple rasa scope. My surveying efforts take my telescope elsewhere for now, but I figured it would be a good thing if this rather interesting object was more well-known, even if it doesn't get the usual multi-hundred-hour treatment
I hope y'all enjoy the image.
FYI this thing is actually pretty bright, and should be well within the reach for most DSO setups! Even with more focal length it is doable, the bright rideline on the object is super super bright, even visible in DSS2.
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