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      NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula
      Wallpaper author:
      Steve Teel

      02 Jul 2025

      NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula

      Processed using APP, PixInsight with SPCC, GHS, Blur, Noise, and StarXTerminator, GraXpert, and Affinity Photo 2


      This is a result of screening a stars-and-background RGB image calibrated with SPCC onto a starless SHO image with SII assigned to R, Ha assigned to R and B, and O assigned to G and B with APP in percentages that approximate the appropriate emission colors. My preference for that color mixture is profoundly influenced by my personal observation of the prominences during 2016 solar eclipse at the Oregon Star Party through my 8" F/5 Dobsonian.


      Many thanks to Bernard Miller for the excellent image data. This is the best image of the Pacman that I have managed to produce.

      Dataset from which the image was processed

      NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula

      20 credit

      Open
      Bernard Miller
      T-17
      • Type of target
        ............................................................................................................................
        Emission Nebula
      • Camera
        ............................................................................................................................
        FLI Proline PL16803
      • Target coordinates
        ............................................................................................................................
        RA 13.1046 Dec 56.565
      • Hemisphere
        ............................................................................................................................
        Northern
      • Telescope location
        ............................................................................................................................
        United States of America
      • Transient event
        ............................................................................................................................
        No
      • Observed on
        ............................................................................................................................
        27 Oct 2017 - 21 Nov 2017
      Filter
      Avg Exp (s)
      Total Exposure
      Subframes
      Red15436m14
      Green15436m14
      Blue15436m14
      SII20578h14
      Halpha20578h14
      OIII20578h14

      NGC 281 - The Pacman Nebula