IC59 - IC60 -  Gamma Cassiopiea
with 10" f/3.9 Astrograph / MiniCat 51 Context
Uploaded 11/31/25

Two images to share here today, taken last month.  One is with the primary instrument - a 10 inch Newtonian and the second
 is the field Context image taken with a Williams Optics MiniCat 51 Petzval.  The 10" shot reveals not only the two butterfly wing
 shaped nebulas clearly but an enveloping glowing cloud of hydrogen which even includes Gamma itself.  In fact, the entire
 field is glowing with loads of red and pink hydrogen gas.  

The MiniCat image which has 5x the field is a simultaneous context shot which shows the full extent of the swirls of hydrogen
 in this area. A huge wreath of nebulosity encircles Gamma, and extends in small patches over the whole field.  Note the
 indicated very obscure planetary nebula Bohm-Vitense 5-2 to the upper right, something I had no idea was there but thats 
exactly why context shots are taken! The third image Ive labeled an obscure planetary nebula (nebula around dead star) BMV 5-2
 which I had no idea existed and was found in the edge of the context shot.  

IC59-60 Gamma Cass Nebs
Technical Data: 10" f/3.9 Newtonian astrograph, Atik 16200 CCD, and WO MiniCat51 and ASI2600MC, LRGB = 3 hours total, Payson, Az. 
With 10 inch Newtonian Select an image size for a larger view: 1600 x 1290
With MiniCat 51 Petzval Select an image size for a larger view: 1600 x 1290
With MiniCat 51 Petzval - Labeled Select an image size for a larger view: 1600 x 1290
Instrument: 10" f/3.9 Orion Astrograph Newtonian with Baader MPCC Mount: Astrophysics 1200 QMD CCD Camera: ATIK 16200 Guider: ASI290 w/80mm WO Zenithstar 81 piggyback refractor Exposure: 3 hours HaRGB Astronomik RGB Combine Ratio: 1: 1.05: 1.5 Location: Payson, Arizona, Elevation: 5150 ft. Sky: Seeing FWHM = 3 arcsec , Transparency 9/10 Outside Temperature: 35 F CCD Temperature: -30 C Instrument: Williams Optics MiniCat51 Mount: Astrophysics 1200 QMD CCD Camera: ZWO ASI2600 MC Pro Guider: ASI290 w/80mm WO Zenithstar 81 piggyback refractor Exposure: 1 hours RGB Location: Payson, Arizona, Elevation: 5150 ft. Sky: Seeing FWHM = 3 arcsec , Transparency 9/10 Outside Temperature: 75 F CCD Temperature: -10 C Image Processing Tools: Maxim DL6: Calibration, PixInsight: All Remaining processing, Photoshop CS2: Production finishing HOME GALAXIES EMISSION NEBS REFLECTION NEBS COMETS GLOBULARS OPEN CLUST PLANETARIES LINKS