NGC281 - The Pac-Man Nebula

Fri Sep 01 2023

The Pac-Man Nebula, NGC 281, in the constellation Cassiopeia, is named for the way a wedge of dark dust makes the bright cloud look like the video-game character mid-chomp. This is a close-up with my larger telescope, revealing the dark 'Bok globules', dense knots of gas and dust where new stars are taking shape.

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: 82 × 2m (2h 44m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm: 103 × 2m (3h 26m)
• Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm: 94 × 2m (3h 8m)
• Total integration: 9h 18m

Equipment

• Telescope / Lens: Celestron C8
• Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
• Mount: Celestron CGEM II
• Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 31 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Sulfur II 31 mm
• Guiding scope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
• Guiding camera: ZWO ASI224MC
• Accessories: Celestron 0.63X SCT Reducer (94175), ZWO EFW 8 x 1.25″ / 31mm
• Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.