Waid Observatory

Object: IC 59 & 63 - The Gamma Cas Nebula
Date: Sept. 01-03, 2017      -      Location: Davis Mountains, TX
Telescope: Stellarvue SV-102 ED  Mount: MI-250   Camera: ST-8300M
Exposure: Ha = 280 min.  Red & Green = 120min.  Blue = 110 min.

Click on the image below to view at higher resolution.

IC 59 & 63 - The Gamma Cas Nebula

IC 59 & 63 - The Gamma Cas Nebula1

The Gamma Cas Nebula is located approximately 4 light years from the bright star Gamma Cassiopeiae (lower right) which lies about 600 light years from the Earth.  The Nebula is primarily composed of the emmission nebula, IC 63, in the center of the image and the blue reflection nebula, IC 59, in the upper right of the image.  Gamma Cassiopeiae is the middle star of the "W" shaped throne of Cassiopeia.  The star is very energetic and it's strong solar wind and radiation is eroding and shaping the nebular clouds of gas and dust visible in this image.  The bluish color of IC 59 is primarily due to reflected light making it shine much like our own blue sky.  The red color of IC 63, and the rest of the nebula, is due to Hydrogen gas which is being excited by the intensive ultraviolet radiation of Gamma Cassiopeiae.

1https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap091224.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid