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Dates & Location

 November 23rd and 24th 2011 using the SMAP site at Weed, New Mexico. Elevation 7269 ft. Lat 32.8°N Long 195.5W  

Catalogue identification

IC63 to the right and IC59 to the left and lower area are collectively known as Sharpless 2-185 (Sh 2-185). They are both illuminated by the very nearby star , Gamma Cassiopeia,
Known generally as the Gamma Cas Nebula.
Equipment Used

Officina Stellare RC400 at 3304mm focal length
Paramount ME German equatorial Mount
Camera SBIG ST-11000M with FW-5L filter wheel.
TheSky V6 telescope control
CCDSoft V 5.0 camera control.

  

Where it is in space

 Surrounds Gamma Cas at a rough distance of 620 light years.
In this image north is at the 8'oclock position.
Acquisition

Remote session using RADMIN PC control from Ravenshead, UK.
HaRGB exposures:- 260:130:130:130 mins total using 20 min Ha and 10 min RG and B sub-exposures at -25°C. All images binned 1x1. AllC

   What it is

Part of a large (about 2° apparent size) cloud of gas which is being bombarded with Ha radiation from the nearby star. There is some question as to whether the bright red emission is directly from the irradiated nebulosity or whether it is refected Ha light from Gamma Cas. The blue areas of the nebula are scattered reflected light from Gamma Cas.

Processing Methods

Image acquisition and telescope control with CCDSoft V5. Remote acquisition sequence program CCDAutoPilot.  
  Data reduction and master channel images with CCDStack.  
 

Master RGB image and Master Ha Images prepared and finished with Photoshop CS2. Final LRGB image using PhotoShop CS2