NGC281 - The Pac-Man Nebula

Tue Mar 28 2023

The Pac-Man Nebula, NGC 281, in Cassiopeia, gets its name from the wedge of dark dust that makes the glowing cloud look like the arcade character. Scattered across it are dark 'Bok globules', dense pockets of gas and dust that are collapsing to form new stars. This was some of my earliest monochrome data, reprocessed with what I have learned since.

About this object

Type

Emission Nebula

Constellation

Cassiopeia (the Queen)

Apparent size

35.0′ × 30.0′

Catalogue designations

NGC 281

Acquisition

• Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 31 mm: 55 × 3m (2h 45m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm: 55 × 3m (2h 45m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm: 27 × 3m (1h 21m)
• Total integration: 6h 51m

Equipment

• Telescope / Lens: Astro-Tech AT72EDII
• Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
• Mount: Celestron Advanced VX
• Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm
• Guiding scope: ZWO 30mm Mini Guider Scope
• Guiding camera: ZWO ASI224MC

Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.