Pacman Nebula
This image was taken November 25, 2007. It is a composite of eleven 5-minute exposures and shows the
emission nebula, NGC 281, near Alpha Cassiopeiae (aka Schedar). This is the brightest star in the "W"
constellation, Cassiopeia, found in the northern sky. This star is not shown in this image. The nebula is
also known as the Pacman Nebula for obvious reasons. The image was taken using a filter which only
allows in light from the alpha emission line of hydrogen. Hydrogen is a major component of most nebula
and when this element is irradiated by a nearby star, the atoms re-emit the light in the hydrogen alpha
wavelength (as well as others). This type of photography provides images which show great detail, but
unfortunately they are in grayscale, not color. Another interesting aspect of this image is that it was taken
over the internet using a telescope about 100 miles east of here in Mayhill, NM.
emission nebula, NGC 281, near Alpha Cassiopeiae (aka Schedar). This is the brightest star in the "W"
constellation, Cassiopeia, found in the northern sky. This star is not shown in this image. The nebula is
also known as the Pacman Nebula for obvious reasons. The image was taken using a filter which only
allows in light from the alpha emission line of hydrogen. Hydrogen is a major component of most nebula
and when this element is irradiated by a nearby star, the atoms re-emit the light in the hydrogen alpha
wavelength (as well as others). This type of photography provides images which show great detail, but
unfortunately they are in grayscale, not color. Another interesting aspect of this image is that it was taken
over the internet using a telescope about 100 miles east of here in Mayhill, NM.
