The Pacman Nebula
(Click on Picture for larger view)

Added October 8, 2019 ...
The Pacman Nebula
(NGC 281, IC 11 or Sh2-184)

I took this picture on October 8 during a brief period of clear skies for nearly 2 hours, then the clouds returned. The moon was bright and to the west while this object was high in the NE.

This is a bright emission nebula in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia and is part of the Milky Way's Perseus Spiral Arm. This nebula, NGC (New General Catalog) 281, is a star cluster associated with nebulosity. The young, blue central stars are being formed from the surrounding gas, which emits red light after being excited by stellar radiation. It is about 9,500 light-years away. This is a 1hr 22mn exposure

The Techy Stuff: (For those who want to know)
Telescope: Orion ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic Refractor
Camera: Altair Hypercam 294c Pro TEC
Filter: Altair QuadBand OSC CCD 2" Narrow Band
Camera Settings: 120 seconds at gain of 7,500 (10%)
Camera Sensor Temp ... 14F (-10C)
Capture Software: SharpCap Pro v3.2.6054 64 bit
Mount: Celestron AVX (Tracking but no guiding)
Mount Control: Celestron PWI v2.1.25
Guide Scope: Orion Magnificant Mini Autoguider
Guiding Software: PHD 2
Subframes used: 41
Calibration Frames: Darks, Bias, Flats ... 40ea
Polar Alignment: QHY Pole Master
Stacking: Deep Sky Staker v4.2.2 64 bit
Post Procession: PixInsight & PhotoShop CC
Lunar interference: Moderate with 75% illuminated moon
Bortle Light Pollution zone: 4.5
Seeing Conditions: 8 (out of 10)
Temperature: 76°F (24.4°C), Dew Point 69°F (20.6°C)
Location: My Heavenly Garden Backyard, Savannah, GA

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