THE GHOST OF CASSIOPEIA (IC 63) + Giacomo Pro + L-QEF (L-Quad Enhance Filter)
THE GHOST OF CASSIOPEIA (IC 63) + Giacomo Pro + L-QEF (L-Quad Enhance Filter)
Credit: Giacomo Pro
This is the result of the first subject fully imaged with the new Optolong Astronomy Filter L-QEF.
The shots were taken over several nights under an urban Bortle 6 sky with an average SQM of 19.40 and at times without the presence of the Moon
The Phantom of Cassiopeia (IC 63)
The reflection nebula IC 63, known as the Phantom of Cassiopeia, is sculpted and illuminated by the fiery radiation of the nearby variable star Gamma Cassiopeiae, which gradually erodes the spectral cloud of gas and dust.
The soft glow and ethereal appearance make the cloud resemble a spectral apparition in the depths of space. In reality, it is simply a collection of gas and dust bombarded and shaped by the ultraviolet radiation of Gamma Cassiopeiae, which causes the reddish glow of hydrogen. The bluish colour, on the other hand, comes from reflected light from the nebular dust. IC 63 can therefore be classified as an emission and reflection nebula.
This spectrally coloured nebula is slowly dissipating under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from Gamma Cassiopeiae. However, IC 63 is not the only object under the influence of the powerful star. It is part of a much larger nebulous region surrounding Gamma Cassiopeiae that measures about two degrees in the sky about four times wider than the full Moon.
This region is best seen from the northern hemisphere during autumn and winter. Although it is high in the sky and visible year-round from Europe, it is very faint, so observing it requires a fairly large telescope and dark skies.
Light 185 x 300" filter: Optolong L-QEF
Camera: ZWO Astronomy Cameras 294 mc pro
Telescope: Sky-Watcher Italia Quattro 200P + SW Coma corrector 1X
Guide camera: Asi 120 mini
Guide scope: 60 - 320 mm
Mount: Skywatcher Eq 6-r Pro
Acquisition: ZWO ASIAIR Plus
Software: DSS - Pixinsight - Photoshop
Shots: 05-06-07-09-11/10/2023 Torricella (TA) ITALY
SQM: 19.40
Author: PRO' GIACOMO
Stay tuned. Kinldy review more TESTIMONIAL about L-QEF.
