NGC 281 is a HII region, a cloud of ionized hydrogen, located in Cassiopeia. It is about 10,000 light-years from Earth with a diameter of 100 light-years. Its shape roughly resembles to Pac-Man, hence its name.

Acquired on December 28, 2024 for the production launch of my new ZWO AM5N equatorial mount which allows me to lighten the setup by 30 kg. A very appreciable weight saving in nomadic astrophotography!

54 x 2 min
Camera : Nikon Z6 partially unfiltered
Telescope : Takahashi FSQ-106ED refractor.
Mount : ZWO AM5N.
Guiding : ZWO ASI290MM Mini on QHY OAG-M
Temperature : 1°C
Humidity : 70%
SQM : 20.9
Software : acquisition with Astro Photography Tool, processing with PixInsight.
Location : Le Plan, Le Banchet