The Star Clusters of Cassiopeia: A Stellar Showcase

Image Title: Open Star Clusters, Dark Nebulae, Reflection Nebulae, and H-Alpha Clouds in Cassiopeia

Copyright: Markus Horn

Date image was taken: December 01, 2024

Location: Hannover (Germany)

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Image Description and Details: The area around the open star clusters NGC 654, NGC 659, NGC 663, and IC 166 in the constellation Cassiopeia is a beautiful target in the night sky, also featuring a few impressive dark nebulae such as LDN 1337. Those who look closely can spot the small reflection nebula VdB 6 in the lower part of the image, just above the dark nebula.
This region is typically captured in pure RGB. However, I noticed faint H-Alpha clouds in some photos, which led me to decide to add 2.5 hours of H-Alpha data to the nearly 8.5 hours of RGB.

During processing, I was able to combine the sparkling star clusters, mysterious dark nebulae, dust, reflection nebulae, and H-Alpha into a final image that reveals this area in a different light.

Equipment Details: Celestron RASA 8 400mm f/2
Celestron Motorfocus
EQ6-R Pro
Camera 1 (OSC): ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro (Gain 100, Offset 18, -10°)
RGB: 499 x 60‘ (8h 19‘)
Camera 2 (Mono): TS 2600 MP (Gain 100, Offset 200, -10°)
Baader H-alpha Highspeed Ultra-Narrowband 3.5nm Filter): 71 × 120″ (2h 22‘)
Total: 10h 41‘
Bortle 5 (19.50 SQM)
N.I.N.A., Guiding: ASI 120MM & PHD2
Astropixelprocessor, Photoshop, Pixinsight

Name: Markus Horn

Email: info@mastrophoto-hannover.de

Website or Facebook Profile: http://www.astrophoto-hannover.de/