Cassiopeia the Queen of the Night

 

The Constellation Cassiopeia (The big 'W' asterism in the Northern Sky)
A compilation - 3 pane, widefield image.
Captured with the Jodrell Plank Observatory's mini-rig : Canon 600d DSLR
with a 135mm F2 Samyang Lens all on a Star Adventurer EQ mount.
  - Image Credit: Pip Stakkert

" What a marvelous clear and steady sky, early morning in Lowestoft on the 29th of September 2024. The whole Jodrell Plank team team were out under the stars, including a guest appearance by the elusive Comet, our neighbour Mr. Schrodinger's cat. We all enjoyed observing and recording the wonderful and most beautiful constellation Cassiopeia 'The Queen of the Night'.

Pip Stakkert set about using the Observatory's un-modded camera to record 30 minutes of one minute duration exposures at ISO1600 of three separate but overlapping areas of the constellation Cassiopeia. This part of the night sky is awash with stars and nebulosity. We were pleased to have recorded the bright emission nebula NGC281 (aka The Pacman Nebula) and the reflection nebula around the bright variable star Gamma Cassiopeia (centre star of the 'W' asterism). A number of open star clusters, including the magnificent M103 with its central red giant star, can be seen in the completed compilation image." - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

"When I look up at the very distinctive 'W' asterism, which forms the 'bones' of the constellation Cassiopeia, I am reminded of the character, 'The Queen of the Night' in my favourite opera 'The Magic Flute' by Mozart" - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.