Pacman Nebula

[crimbfighter]

Astrophotography project 1 of 2 from the last three nights of clear skies, the Pacman Nebula! Imaged over two consecutive nights, the Pacman Nebula, also know as NGC 281, lives in the constellation Cassiopeia. This is the second time I've imaged this nebula. Applying everything I've learned since the last time, I was able to get a much better image. This also had a lot more integration time than the last one. The second image is the same as the first, but converted to an SHO color pallet to showcase the different gasses (hydrogen and oxygen). I also think the SHO colors help showcase detail by creating more contrast in the gaseous structures.

-Celestron AVX mount
-Astro-Tech AT130EDT 130mm f/7 telescope with a 0.8x reducer, making it a 728mm focal length, f/5.6 scope.
-ZWO ASI2600MC Pro cooled camera
-ZWO EAF focuser
-Optolong L-Extreme dual narrowband filter
-Pegasus Astro Mini Powerbox
-Orion 60mm guide scope
-Orion Starshoot autoguider
-Controlled with a MeLE Quieter3Q mini PC running Windows

Software
-Sequence Generator Pro for acquisition
-PixInsight and Photoshop for image processing
-PHD2 guiding software

-137 x 180sec subexposures
-calibrated with 15 each darks, flats, and dark flats
-Total integration time of 6.85hrs

1.

2.

And as always, the imaging setup for reference.

 

[Jeff15]

More amazing shots....

 

[thecoastallens]

Those are incredible images and its amazing to think that the light you captured took just under 9,500 years to reach your camera sensor.

 

[crimbfighter]

More amazing shots....

Thanks....

Those are incredible images and its amazing to think that the light you captured took just under 9,500 years to reach your camera sensor.

Thank you! And yeah, makes you wonder what the look like right now!

 

[terri]

Gorgeous work! You never fail to amaze!

 

[slat]

Great again.

 

[rickwesh]

Fantastic.

 

[jeffashman]

Wonderful, again!