SOCO IMAGE GALLERY


 

NGC 281   The PacMan Nebula

NGC 281 is an emission nebula and open cluster in the constellation Cassiopeia. It was first described in 1883 by E. E. Barnard, who is probably best known for his cataloging of dark nebulas. The nebula and cluster are around 9500 LY distant, within the Perseus Spiral Arm of our galaxy. This image was acquired in part to test a method for combining image data acquired through a narrow-band Hα filter with corresponding image data acquired through regular broad-band red, green and blue filters. This procedure was later expanded to include image data acquired with Hβ and OIII filters. The procedure can be found in the Image Processing section of this wedsite.

Date(s) Acquired: 25 October 2014
Telescope: Orion 120mm EON Apochromatic Refractor
Camera: QSI Model 583

 

   Exposure Time (min) 
   Number of Exposures
   RGB
   2
   Hα
   15
   Hβ
   -
   OIII
   -
   RGB
   6
   Hα
   6
   Hβ
   0
   OIII
   0

 

Processing:
Master red, green, blue, and Hα images created using Basic Processing Procedure I.
Hybrid Master red, green and blue images created using Basic Processing Procedure II.
Color composite image created using Basic Processing Procedure III.
Color composite image contrast-stretched using Adobe Photoshop.




 

 

HOMEReturn to SOCO Image Gallery HOMEReturn to SOCO Main Page

Questions or comments? Email SOCO@cat-star.org