Gamma Cassiopeiae Nebula
This image was taken October 5, 2007. It is a composite of ten 4-minute exposures and shows the
emission nebula near Gamma Cassiopeiae. This is the bright star in this image and is the center star in the
Cassiopeia "W," which can be found in the northern sky. The nebulae (IC63 and IC59) are the red-purple
areas below and to the left of this star. Admittedly, they are very dim. This image does need some
additional exposure time, but a lightening storm to the east of the observatory brought everything to a halt.
Note all the stars in this image! This area is in the Milky Way. When you look at this area with the naked
eye, even under good conditions, all one can see are the bright stars. Digital cameras are amazing "eyes"
for the amateur astronomer.
emission nebula near Gamma Cassiopeiae. This is the bright star in this image and is the center star in the
Cassiopeia "W," which can be found in the northern sky. The nebulae (IC63 and IC59) are the red-purple
areas below and to the left of this star. Admittedly, they are very dim. This image does need some
additional exposure time, but a lightening storm to the east of the observatory brought everything to a halt.
Note all the stars in this image! This area is in the Milky Way. When you look at this area with the naked
eye, even under good conditions, all one can see are the bright stars. Digital cameras are amazing "eyes"
for the amateur astronomer.
The IC63 image below was taken in October 2008 using a much more sensitive astronomical camera (SBIG
ST10XME and a hydrogen-alpha filter). The telescope (Celestron C9.25 f/5.5) with this camera has a
much smaller field of view, but about 3 times the magnification of the above image. To create this image
over 40 three-minute exposures where used. Unfortunately, H-alpha images are only in grey scale.
ST10XME and a hydrogen-alpha filter). The telescope (Celestron C9.25 f/5.5) with this camera has a
much smaller field of view, but about 3 times the magnification of the above image. To create this image
over 40 three-minute exposures where used. Unfortunately, H-alpha images are only in grey scale.
