NGC281
About this celestial object
NGC 281, the Pacman Nebula, rises low over the horizon from Cassiopeia.
The emission nebula NGC 281 in Cassiopeia bears the nickname Pacman for its distinctive silhouette. Dark dust clouds and young stars shape the scene of an active star-forming region.
At only 17° altitude and in humid air, the object had to shine through haze; the 250 mm wide field shows the reddish region embedded in a dense starfield.
At f/5, 80 short exposures suggest the structure; fine filaments remain subdued.
Image and observation
Catalogue: NGC 281
Capture date: 2024-07-29
Total exposure: 800 s
Imaging and processing: Ulrich Schwarz · Vespera Pro