NGC 281 - The Eye of Sauron...

[Hallingskies]

From last night, 25 x 300s in Ha, Esprit 100/Atik 460, processing in Astroart/PaintShop Pro.  I find the moniker "Pac-man" rather hackneyed - it actually put me off looking at this one until last night, my first clear night for a month.  Seeing was awful - I could see the focus star flexing and pulsing and it was really difficult to pick a focus point.  Guiding was all over the place, RMS around 1.  The subs weren't all that, but I was surprised how well it all scrubbed up in the end.  Now I wish I'd stuck at it and got some OIII as well.

I think this orientation (north to the right) draws one's eye to the dark lane and makes this object a lot more interesting to look at, but that's probably just me...

[Adreneline]

That is a really striking result and inspired alternative and more worthy name.

Thanks for sharing.

Adrian

[assouptro]

Awesome 

I love the image and the description! 
It makes me want to hide my ring! 

thanks for sharing 

Bryan

[alan potts]

Very nice image you have taken there, many of my friends years back lived in Rochester, as I went to Highfield Sch and lived in Chatham, in touch with a good few now.

Alan

[MartinB]

Lovely detailed image, I especially like the outer wispiness.  It will always be the Pacman for me I'm afraid!