NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula, IC 1590

Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the galactic emission nebula NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula, IC 11) and open star cluster IC 1590 in the constellation Cassiopeia.

Introduction

The galactic emission nebula NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula, IC 11) is located in the constellation Cassiopeia. In the eVscope(2) and Vespera it is reddish and fits the field of view. Embedded in NGC 281 is the open star cluster IC 1590, whose stars are scattered around the center of the nebula and some of which stand out due to their X-ray emission. Inside the cluster is a multiple-star system that emits light which helps give the dust in NGC 281 its glow.

NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula)		IC 1590
Size: 20' x 15' / 35' x 30' (Stoyan/Wikipedia) Distance: 9,500 light years (Stoyan) Rating: * (Stoyan)		Size: inside NGC 281 Distance: 9,500 light years (Stoyan) Rating: ---

Map

NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula) in Cassiopeia is located close to the star Shedar. For orientation purposes, the Andromeda Galaxy M 31 is included in the map, as well as the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 884/869 and above it St 2, which, according to Stoyan, is a "must" for small telescopes. (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.

My Best Own Photos

Vespera


NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds)		NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - large (128 frames = 1280 seconds), photo left processed

NGC 281, Jan 10, 2024 - original (204 frames = 2040 seconds), small mosaic, Dual Band Filter		NGC 281, Jan 10, 2024 - large (204 frames = 2040 seconds), small mosaic, Dual Band Filter, photo left processed

NGC 281, Jan 26, 2024 - original (180 frames = 1800s), CLS Filter		NGC 281, Jan 26, 2024 - large (180 frames = 1800s), CLS Filter, photo left processed

Vespera Pro


NGC 281, Aug 29, 2024 - 1800p (1215 frames = 12150s), Dual Band Filter, section, processed (Siril)		NGC 281, Aug 29, 2024 - 1800p (1215 frames = 12150s), Dual Band Filter, section, processed (Siril), denoised (DN)

My Own Observations

Observations February 2020

February 6, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (only stars, no nebula...)

Observations August to October 2020

August 24, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
September 7, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
September 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
September 15, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
October 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)

Observations November 2022

November 1, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): NGC 281 photographed
November 2, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): NGC 281 photographed (app version 2.1)

Observations December 2023

December 18, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): NGC 281 photographed (app version 2.5, DDT)

Observations January 2024

January 10, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): NGC 281 photographed with Dual Band Filter as a small mosaic
January 26, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): NGC 281 photographed with CLS Filter

Observations August 2024

August 29, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): NGC 281 photographed (3:22 h)

References

NGC 281 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_281
IC 1590 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC_1590

On this Site

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope


NGC 281 - Feb 6, 2020	NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020	NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020

	NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed

NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020	NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020	NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020

NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed

NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020	NGC 281 - Sep 15, 2020

NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Sep 15, 2020, photo on top processed

NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020	NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020	NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020

NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed	NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed

eVscope 2


NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022		NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022, photo left processed

NGC 281 - Dec 18, 2023, 5 min		NGC 281 - Dec 18, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera


NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds)		NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - large (128 frames = 1280 seconds), photo left processed

NGC 281, Jan 10, 2024 - original (204 frames = 2040 seconds), small mosaic, Dual Band Filter		NGC 281, Jan 10, 2024 - large (204 frames = 2040 seconds), small mosaic, Dual Band Filter, photo left processed

NGC 281, Jan 26, 2024 - original (180 frames = 1800s), CLS Filter		NGC 281, Jan 26, 2024 - large (180 frames = 1800s), CLS Filter, photo left processed

Vespera Pro


NGC 281, Aug 29, 2024 - 1800p (1215 frames = 12150s), Dual Band Filter, section, processed (Siril)		NGC 281, Aug 29, 2024 - 1800p (1215 frames = 12150s), Dual Band Filter, section, processed (Siril), denoised (DN)