Pacman Nebula Hubble image 2011 - NGC 281

NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula - October 2021 Nebula photos challenge - Cassiopeia


The month of October is all about Cassiopeia and the Pacman Nebula, while small, is fascinating.

First discovered in 1883 it is the most recently discovered deep space object I have ever photographed. Typically the more recent the discovery, the most difficult the object is to capture.


This emission nebula is located far away from us in our galaxy, about 9,500 light years away. Despite it's small relative size in our night sky this nebula is 48 light years across.


My final image is 6 hours of exposures through a CLS filter with the Canon Ra. This combination helps to isolate the Ha spectrum of light emitted from this beautiful star factory.


Object: NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula

Exposure: 330x90sec ( 5 hr. 30 min. total)

Bortle scale: 4 - our backyard in Estes Park, Colorado

Optics: William Optics Redcat 51

Camera: Canon EOS Ra

Mount: Star Adventurer

Filters: Astronomik CLS clip in

Software: StarrySkyStacker, Photoshop


~Clear Skies~

Benes Photography - Pacman Nebula captured on October 4-5, 2021