NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula 17th September 2008

The Pacman nebula (named after the computer arcade game) is an area of active star formation lying between the constellations of Cassiopia and Perseus at a distance of approximately 10 000 light years. In addition to the emission nebulosity, there is a very open star cluster and areas of dark nebulosity. The small dark areas within the nebula are known as Bok globules.

Scope: Skywatcher ED120 with William Optics 0.8 reducer/flattener.

Camera: QSI 532ws using Astronomik 13nm Ha and typeII RGB filters.

Exposure details: Ha 8x1200 seconds RGB each 7x150 seconds binned x2

Taken at the Autumn Kelling Star Party 2008. The transparency deteriorated as the evening wore on and eventually had to cut short the session at 2.15 am Captured and and combined using MaximDL and processed in photoshop