PacMan Nebula in Narrowband

PacMan Nebula in Narrowband

NGC 281

Constellation: Casseopiea
Ra: 0hr 52min 59s
Dec: +56d 36min 19s
Distance: 10,000 light years
Image Size: 35' x 35'
North: Up

Enlarge

Description

The PacMan Nebula, NGC 281, is a large emission nebula in Cassiopeia located at 0hr 52m 59s and DEC +56d 36m 19s at a distance of about 10,000 light years with an apparent diameter of 35′. The emissions are powered by the bright blue stars of the open cluster, IC 1590. The large dust region cuts through the emission giving the appearance of a partially cut circle, and hence, given the name PacMan. There are dust columns being sculpted by the intense radation from the bright stars in the cluster, all pointing to the center. Bok Globules, dark patches of dust and potential future homes of new stars, are scattered throughout. The detail in this image was achieved with Astrodon 3 nm narrowband filters. The colors are based upon the Hubble Palette, where OIII, H-a and SII were mapped to blue, green and red, respectively. RGB data were added to provide star colors based upon a G2V solar analog white point.

Exposure: 17.5 hrs Total; 15.5 hrs OIII, H-a, SII, 2 hrs RGB.
Telescope: RCOS 16" RC f/8.9 tube
Mount: Software Bisque Paramount ME
Oag: Astrodon MonsterMOAG
Acquisition: CCD AutoPilot
Calibration: CCDStack2
Observatory Site: Sierra-Remote Observatories, Shaver Lake, CA
Camera: Apogee U16M
Filters: Astrodon 3nm OIII, SII, H-a, Gen 2 RGB
Guider: SBIG ST-402
Camera Operation: MaximDL4.62
Processing: Photoshop CS5 Extended
Image Date: 08/24/2010

2 Comments

  1. Renee Liggett

    This is my first time to your page. Your work is extraordinary, extremely beautiful. I love this image PacMan Nebula in Narrowband. I would love to share the image. So I am asking for your permission to share.
    Also, there are so many beautiful photos here, it will take time, to absorb all the knowledge you shared, & thank you for sharing.
    Love your page/ site.
    Sincerely Renee Liggett 🙂

    Reply
    • astrodon

      Thanks, Renee, The PacMan image can be used with credit to me for any non-commercial use.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.