Pacman Nebula NGC 281
The Pacman Nebula, NGC 281, is an aptly named, bright emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia, about 9,200 light-years from Earth. Its moniker derives from its resemblance to the iconic video game character, showcasing the playful side of cosmic discovery. This vividly colored cloud of gas is a hotbed of star formation, visible here in rich reds and dynamic contrasts that highlight the interstellar matter being sculpted by stellar winds from young, hot stars within.
For this deep-sky imaging feat, a total of 9 hours and 45 minutes, distributed across 117 frames of 5 minutes each, was dedicated to capture the Pacman Nebula’s essence. The meticulous process used the tried-and-true combination of equipment known for reliability and precision: a Sky-Watcher 120ED EvoStar telescope mounted on an HEQ-5, with the guiding accuracy of a ZWO 290MM camera and the imaging capability of a ZWO 533i MC color camera. The extended exposure time allowed for the collection of light from faint stars and nebulosity, revealing the nebula’s intricate details and the nuances of its gaseous expanse.