This is IC63 and IC59, taken over the course of 3
nights last week. IC59 and IC63 are Reflection and Emission Nebulae next to the
bright star, Gamma Cas, which is the star right at the centre of the “W” in the
constellation of Cassiopeia; around 550 lightyears away. Gamma Cas is an
eruptive variable binary star, known as a "shell star"; it currently
shines at mag. +2.15, making it the brightest star in Cassiopeia.
IC59 and IC63 are both around 3 lightyears from Gamma Cas.
IC63 is slightly nearer and, as a result, it's appears mostly red due to a
dominance of H-alpha emission from Gamma Cas. Because it is slightly further
away, IC59 exhibits much less H-alpha emission and appears mostly blue due to
reflected starlight.
Both nebulae are very faint, with extremely low surface
brightness, and are easily washed out by the bright Gamma Cas (this is over 5
hours exposure on the Lights).
20x300 sec Ha
21x180sec, plus 20x300 sec Sii
9x300sec Oiii
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