NGC281
Notes
[ZWO ASI2600MC Pro]
CameraSerialNumber=2B35920208010900
FrameType=Light
Debayer Preview=Off
Pan=0
Tilt=0
Output Format=FITS files (*.fits)
Binning=1
Capture Area=6248x4176
Colour Space=RAW16
Exposure/Gain Shift=0
Hardware Binning=Off
High Speed Mode=Off
Turbo USB=100(Auto)
Flip=None
Frame Rate Limit=Maximum
Gain=100
Exposure=180,000s
Apply Time Offset (ms)=0
Timestamp Frames=Off
White Bal (B)=50
White Bal (R)=50
Brightness=50
Window Heater Power=Off
Cooler Power=49
Temperature=-4,8
Target Temperature=-5
Cooler=On
Auto Exp Max Gain=100
Auto Exp Max Exp MS=10000
Auto Exp Target Brightness=50
Mono Bin=Off
CA Reduction/Synthetic Blue=Off
Mask over exposed pixels=Off
Flip (after dark/flat)=None
Trail Width=3
Minimum Trail Length=100
Trail Detection Sensitivity=9
Remove Satellite Trails=Off
Background Subtraction=Off
Planet/Disk Stabilization=Off
Banding Threshold=10
Banding Suppression=0
Apply Flat=None
Dark Scaling (Experimental)=Off
Hot Pixel Sensitivity=5
Subtract Dark=None
DisplayStretchEnable=1
NegativeDisplay=0
Display Black Point=0,0076904296875
Display MidTone Point=0,01269609773736586
Display White Point=0,9999847412109375
Notes=
ZWO FilterWheel (1)=Opto
Device Hub Focuser=15135
Focuser Temperature=17,68000030517578
EQMOD ASCOM HEQ5/6=RA=00:52:51,2,Dec=+56:37:37 (J2000)
TimeStamp=2026-09-20T22:44:08.7689989Z
SharpCapVersion=4.1.14310.0
LastPlateSolveData=Plate solve result was RA=00:52:43,8,Dec=+56:31:23 with mount at RA=00:52:51,3,Dec=+56:37:41, FOV 1,089x0,728 degrees, up is 7,14 degrees East of North
Object Information
NGC 281, the Pacman Nebula, is a striking emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. Its glowing red hydrogen clouds surround the young open cluster IC 1590, whose energetic stars illuminate and sculpt the surrounding gas. Dark lanes of interstellar dust cut across the nebula, creating the distinctive irregular shape that gives this object its popular name.
This image reveals the rich H-alpha emission of the region, together with intricate dust structures and a dense stellar background from the Milky Way. NGC 281 is an active stellar nursery, where radiation and stellar winds from newly formed stars continue to shape the clouds from which they were born.