The combination of star clusters and nebulae NGC 7762, NGC 7822 (CED 214), Sh2-171 (CED 215), and Sh2-170 (the dot) make up a very interesting composite structure in the constellation Cepheus when captured in a widefield image. It lies about 3300 light years from Earth and many refer to it as the Cosmic Question Mark (not to be confused with the odd question mark-like structure captured by the James Webb Space Telescope in July of 2023) .
This was the first light of my 300mm William Optics RedCat 61 WIFD (William Optics Internal Focuser Design), a replacement for my AT60ED doublet refractor. I was very excited that there was going to be a brief period of clear skies tonight. And brief it was! I was only able to capture 7, 300-second subs for a grand total of 35 minutes. But since the scope is f/4.9, I thought there might be enough data to process.
I went a little crazy in Photoshop to celebrate the fact that this RedCat is the very first imaging telescope that I won’t have to send back or get a replacement for! I think my first-telescope curse is finally broken. The RedCat was an absolute dream to use: simple, perfect autofocus, easy to guide, and fantastically round stars. Small wonder these ultra-widefield telescopes are so popular.
I attached my very over-processed image as well as an annotation so you can see where the different nebulae fit into the overall structure.
Capture Date: 6/12/24
Equipment
William Optics RedCat61 WIFD (300mm fL)
Guidescope/Cam: SV106 with ASI120mm mini
ASIAir Plus, ASI2600MC, ZWO AM5 mount, ZWO 5-position filter wheel
Filter -- Antlia 5nm Dual Narrowband H-alpha/OIII filter
Total Integration Time: 0:35
Processed/annotated in PixInsight and (with reckless abandon in) Adobe Photoshop.
Last night was pretty fine, here in Hinesburg, before the dew point hit.
Greg, words fail me. Your output lately has been amazing, and now this. That RedCat looks like a real keeper, for sure! Heck of an image for so little time.
@peter-gillette Thanks, Peter! Yes, it was beautiful in Williston after dark for all of about an hour and then I could feel the humidity shoot up. Well, a shout out to Mother Nature anyway for giving us just a little time under the stars. 😀 It's always a treat.
Greg
Fantastic image Greg, love it. Great colors. I’ve not looked at this or imaged it myself. You’re making me want to get back to do some imaging. Like Peter said, your output is exceptional! I was out last night doing some visual, first on the moon, and then I started on a double star list. Nothing got by me last night unless it was too far down. I even took a gander of M68, which was down in the muck and I could still make it out. M68 is fairly large, and should have been brighter, but I suspect it was the horizon hugging clouds which prevented me from getting a better view. I am enjoying the visual and peacefulness of doing visual astronomy… it’s so quiet, just me and the stars. The observatory really cuts off the rest of the world.
@terri So happy you’re getting to do some visual observing! Every once in a while I have to do that as well. There’s just something unique and special about the tranquility that’s almost mystical, so I get where you’re coming from! I can only imagine how much more peaceful and immersive it must be isolated in an observatory.
Greg
