deep-sky
nebula (emission)
NGC 281 – Pacman Nebula
NGC 281 (also known as the “Pacman Nebula”) consists of a small star cluster (IC 1590) and a large diffuse emission nebula spanning 48 light years across.
It is a bright emission nebula located in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia, discovered in 1883.
The double star HD5005 in the center of the cluster is actually a quintuple system as the primary star has another 4 companion stars.
These relatively young stars cause the gas of the nebula to light up.
There are also several dark Bok globules visible in the nebula.
Other / older versions :
Image information:
Object info
Name: NGC 281 – The Pacman Nebula
Type: Nebula (emission)
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Distance: 9500 ly
Date & location
Date: August 10, 2012
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 4h24m
Camera: SBIG ST-8300M
Optics: Orion Optics SPX 10″ Newton
Mount: Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Image comments
Framing is a bit off.
