Open star clusters, dark nebulae and H-Alpha clouds in Cassiopeia
NGC 654, NGC 659, NGC 663, IC 166, LDN 1337
The region around the open star clusters NGC 654, NGC 659, NGC 663, and IC 166 in the constellation Cassiopeia is a stunning target in the autumn night sky, also featuring a few impressive dark nebulae, such as LDN 1337.

This area is usually captured in pure RGB. However, I had noticed faint H-alpha clouds in some images, which led me to decide to add 2.5 hours of H-alpha exposure to the nearly 8.5 hours of RGB data.

During processing, I was able to combine the sparkling star clusters, mysterious dark nebulae, dust, and H-alpha nebulae into a finished image that presents this region in a completely different light.



Amateur Astronomy Photo of the Day
on AAPOD2.com


Nominated for Top Pick on Astrobin


Astronomical Picture of the Day (APOD) on Apod GrAG



Astronomical Picture of the Day (APOD) on APOD BRASIL





Take a look at an alternate RGB version:

view image


Image Details
Date
November 30 & December 1, 2024
LOCATion
Hannover (Germany)
Sky Quality
Bortle 5
Telescope
Celestron RASA 8 (203/400 f/2)
Mount
Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro
Main Cameras
TS 2600 MP
Gain 100, Offset 50, -10°
ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro
Gain 100, Offset 18, -10°
Focuser
Celestron Motorfocus
Processing
Astropixelprocessor, Photoshop, Pixinsight
Filter
Baader H-Alpha Highspeed 3.5nm
Baader UV/IR Cut
Exposure
Ha: 71 × 120″ (2h 22‘)
RGB: 499 x 60‘ (8h 19‘)

Total: 10h 41‘
Guiding
ZWO ASI 120MM, PHD2
Calibration
Flats, Darks, Darkflats
Software
N.I.N.A., EQMod
Other
Artesky Filter Holder
  
  
Gallery
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Cluster
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Comet
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Other
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Cluster
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Nebula
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Cluster
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Cluster
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Cluster
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Cluster
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Nebula
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Galaxy
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Nebula
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Nebula
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Moon
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Moon
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Cluster