The constellation of Cassiopeia is slowly creeping its way back to dominate the North skies in the Northern hemisphere, and it caught me by surprise. A little after midnight, I was awakened and as usual, I looked through the window. I expected to see another night of endless cloud cover, but I saw Cassiopeia rising in a crystal clear sky. I seized the opportunity to set up and pointed the telescope at the Pac-Man Nebula (NGC 281).
Starless NGC (featured image cropped and rotated)
This region is an emission nebula located about 9,200 light years away from. I collected just over 3 hours of 5-minute frames. After processing, I thought Iād use this post as a progress check š. See my first image of NGC 281 in 2020, my rendition in 2021, and the 2023 edition (in the featured cover image. What do you think š¤ ? Until next time, remember to look up and experience an amazing Universe!
NGC 281 shot in July 2020 with a Canon 77D and Askar FMA 180.
NGC 281 shot in September 2021 with Hypercam 183C and Skywatcher 72ED APO.
Gear: AA Hypercam 26C, Askar 80 PHQ, HEM27 mount, Optolong L-Ultimate; ZWO OAG + AA120mc
Exif: 40 x 5-min lights; Gain 200, Offset 3, TEC @ 10 degrees; 20 darks,
SharpCap, PHD2; AstroPixelProcessor, PixInsight; Photoshop