NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula

Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the galactic emission nebula NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula) in the constellation Cassiopeia.

Introduction

The galactic emission nebula NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula) is located in the constellation Cassiopeia. In the eVscope it is reddish and fits the field of view.

Size: 20' x 15' (Stoyan)
Distance: 9,500 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: * (Stoyan)

Map

NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula) in Cassiopeia is located close to the star Shedar. For orientation purposes, the Andromeda Galaxy M 31 is included in the map, as well as the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 884/869 and above it St 2, which, according to Stoyan, is a "must" for small telescopes. (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I observed in autumn 2017: Sketch of NGC 457 (Pacman Nebula) by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)

Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.

My Best Own Photos

eVscope

NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020
NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed
NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo left processed
NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo left processed

eVscope 2

NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022		NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022, photo left processed

Vespera

NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds)		NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds), photo left processed

My Own Observations

Observations February 2020

• February 6, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (only stars, no nebula...)

Observations August to October 2020

• August 24, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• September 7, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
• September 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
• September 15, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)
• October 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 281 photographed (r.f., n.o.)

Observations November 2022

• November 1, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): NGC 281 photographed
• November 2, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): NGC 281 photographed (app version 2.1)

References

• NGC 281 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_281

On this Site

• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Unistellar eVscope 2 Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope

NGC 281 - Feb 6, 2020		NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020		NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020
		NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed
NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020
NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Sep 7, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed
NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020		NGC 281 - Sep 15, 2020
NGC 281 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Sep 15, 2020, photo on top processed
NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020		NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020		NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020
NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed		NGC 281 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed

eVscope 2

NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022		NGC 281 - Nov 2, 2022, photo left processed

Verspera

NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds)		NGC 281, Nov 1, 2022 - original (128 frames = 1280 seconds), photo left processed