Ghost of Cassiopeia

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🌌 Object Information

  • Name/Designation: Ghost of Cassiopeia (IC 63 & IC 59), Sh 2‑185

  • Object Type: Reflection and Emission Nebulae

  • Constellation: Cassiopeia

  • Distance from Earth: ~550 light-years

  • Apparent Magnitude: ~10.0

  • Angular Size: ~2° (entire Sh 2‑185 region)

📅 Imaging Info

  • Date: November 24, 27, December 3, 30/31, 2024

  • Location: Athens, Greece
  • Frames: Luminance: 71 × 60″ (1h 11m) Narrowband: 548 × 60″ (9h 8m) – Total: 10h 19m

  • Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: -5 °C

  • Bortle Scale: 8/9 (City sky)

🔭 Equipment & Guiding

  • Imaging Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS

  • Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

  • Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro

  • Filter: Baader UV/IR Cut Luminance 2″ & Optolong L-eXtreme 1.25″

  • Accessory: Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III Newton Coma Corrector

  • Guide Scope: Artesky 32mm Mini Guide Scope

  • Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini

🛠️ Software

  • Astro Photography Tool (APT)

  • PHD2 Guiding

  • PixInsight

  • BlurXTerminator

  • NoiseXTerminator

  • StarXTerminator