IC 59 and IC 63

Click on image for larger version.

The bright bluish star shown here is Gamma Cassiopeiae. It is currently evaporating two nearby clouds of gas- IC 59 and IC 63. The leading edges of these clouds glow strongly in the intense bath of radiation from this hot star. Hints of bluish light behind the front lines of these nebulae show a bit of scattered light. Astronomically speaking, these clouds don't have much more time and will soon be blown away into the interstellar medium.

Equipment

76mm TeleVue (with TeleVue field flattener)
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = Ha (60 minutes) + RGB (synthetic) binned 1x1
 Red = 45 minutes binned 1x1
 Green = 45 minutes binned 1x1
 Blue = 45 minutes binned 1x1
  • Imaged through a partial slit. Winds gusting to 40-50mph!

    • Minimum credit line: Tom Bash and John Fox/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 12/17/2004