NGC281
Emission Nebula In Cassiopiea

 

            
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 Surrounding
            the dim but moderately rich open cluster IC1590 is Sharpless2-184,
            also known as NGC281. The nebula is quite large, spanning over
            half a degree in size, filled with dark Bok globules, the birthplace
            of stars. The cluster on the other hand is a respectable 7.4
            magnitude, but only 4 minutes in size.

            
Seen here clearly
            is the unique color differentiation from bright core to outer
            nebulosity. While the core has more blues which yield a bluish
            pink tint the outer most nebulosity is deep red and represents
            a much lower level of hydrogen excitation. The beautiful dark
            nebula superimposed are called Bok Globules, and represent areas
            of a higher density of dust becoming gravitationally bound.

Optics:  8" f/4 Newtonian Astrograph w/Baader MPCC Coma Corrector
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200  
Camera:  Hutech Modified Canon XTi @ ISO800
Exposure:  24 x 5m = 2 hours
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  4/10, Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  55F
Processing Tools:  Photoshop CS2, Images Plus 3.82
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