NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula)
(place cursor over image to view a version without stars)

NGC 281
Copyright Steve Cannistra

More versions of this image
Please click here for a smaller view (45%)


Characteristics:
Magnitude:  7.0 (open star cluster IC 1590 in center)
Size: about 35'
Distance: ?10,000 light years
RA: 0h 52m 48s
Dec: 56 degrees 37' 0"
PA:  +326 degrees

Description:
Please keep your cursor outside of the image to see the original version with stars, and place it over the image to see the version without stars, which provides a different perspective of the nebula portion of this objectNGC 281 is a region rich in HII emission as a result of excitation from UV light emitted by the central young star cluster IC 1590.  There are prominent Bok Globules in the central portion of this image, that represent cooler regions of hydrogen gas that are incubating a central protostar(s), which is not yet apparent in visible light.  More information about this region can be found at Rob Gendler's website.

Photographic Details:
Dates:  Septermber 27, 2014
Scope:  Takahashi FSQ106 at f5 on the Takahashi NJP Mount
Autoguider:  SBIG ST-402 with 60mm guidescope, focal length 227mm
Camera:  SBIG ST8300 at -15C, with Starlight Xpress USB filter wheel
Filters: 
Baader filters: RBG and Ha
Exposures:  Total HaRGB exposure 8 hours.
Post-processing:  Calibrated, aligned, and stacked in Maxim, followed by DDP in ImagesPlus (IP).  Further processing in Photoshop CS (16 bit format). 
Please note:  Graphics on this website may not be reproduced without author permission.
Back to Nebulae

Home