Pacman Nebula (NGC281)

[Bill Richards]

The "Pacman Nebula" (aka NGC281) is an emission nebula about 6500 light-years away, named for its resemblance to the video game character (a game I played WAY too much when in college). The "mouth" of the Pacman appears dark in optical images because light is obscured by dust and gas, but in infrared images the dust in this region glows brightly.

This is the result of ~4 hours of exposure time taken on 9/9/23.

Equipment and Software:
=======================
Mount: iOption CEM40 w/iPolar
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 8 w/0.7x focal reducer
Auto-Focuser: Rigel Systems nFOCUS
Imaging Camera: ASI2600MC-Pro
Filter: AstroHutech NBZ dual-band filter
Guide Camera: ASI174MM-Mini on OAG
Imaging Software: NINA
Guiding Software: PHD2
Image Processing Software: PixInsight

Exposure Details:
=================
Camera Temperature -10C
Bias: 50
Gain: 100
55 x 240s
Plus 32x Darks, Flats, and Dark Flats

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[AlanLichty]

Stunning colors. Beautiful image.

Do you actually capture the infrared bands in your exposures?

 

[JimFox]

Awesome work Bill! You didn't get a lot of integration time on this, but you sure got a lot of detail.

 

[Anubis1311]

Amazing! Pac man was one of the first targets I ever photographed. Needless to say it wasn’t as impressive as this!

 

[Bill Richards]

Stunning colors. Beautiful image.

Do you actually capture the infrared bands in your exposures?

No, the camera only captures visible light.

 

[Bill Richards]

Awesome work Bill! You didn't get a lot of integration time on this, but you sure got a lot of detail.

I was thinking that I was going to need more data, but the result turned out pretty good so I decided to go ahead and publish it anyway.

 

[Dan Moorehead]

Wonderful