Description: | NGC281, also called the Pacman nebula, is associated with the open cluster IC1590 located near the center of the nebula. The hot blue stars of this cluster make the nebula glow in a characteristic reddish colour due to hydrogen alpha emissions. This colour is difficult to detect for the human eye without special filters. The nebula isn't named after the ASTRON Project of the same name, but after the famous video game from the eighties. This image is a 20 minute exposure with my 20cm F/2.75 ASA Astrograph and a modified Canon 350D DSLR. |