Ghost of Cassiopeia - Lost Photons Gallery

The 2020 IC 63 frame, kept as an older revision beside the newer Ghost of Cassiopeia image.

This frame remains part of the Lost Photons archive.

What am I looking at?: The Ghost Nebula is a faint reflection and emission nebula near the bright star Gamma Cassiopeiae.
How far away is it?: About 550 light-years away.
Where is it in the sky?: In Cassiopeia, close to the bright star Gamma Cas.
Why does it matter?: Illustrates how bright stars can illuminate nearby dust into ghostly blue and red glows.
When is the best time to photograph it?: Autumn when Cassiopeia is overhead; narrowband helps reveal faint structure.

Capture Data

Capture summary

Catalog IC 63

Nebula in Cassiopeia

Exposure Ha, OIII, RGB

Narrowband + RGB

Filters Optolong L-eNhance 2

Ha, OIII, RGB

Frame 2020

Autumn target / wide composition

Exposure Breakdown Ha, OIII, RGB

Optolong L-eNhance 2 3h 55m 47 x 300s

Same target, different years.

Older revisions stay in the archive so you can see how the target changed with different equipment, processing, and experience.

Ghost of Cassiopeia 2020 — 2020 **Ghost of Cassiopeia** *Currently viewing*

Ghost of Cassiopeia 2021 — 2021 **Ghost of Cassiopeia** *Compare revision*

2021 Ghost of Cassiopeia Open revision

2020 Ghost of Cassiopeia Currently viewing

Target Planner

When to image this target

Nebula in Cassiopeia; best planned for September through November from New Jersey.

Best season September through November

Autumn is a strong window for Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and late Cygnus fields.

Good from NJ Late summer through autumn evenings

Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.

Object type Nebula

Emission nebulae are good candidates for narrowband filters; reflection nebulae prefer darker skies.

Constellation Cassiopeia

IC 63 is listed here in Cassiopeia.

Moon tolerance Narrowband can tolerate some moonlight.

Current frame: Narrowband + RGB / Ha, OIII, RGB.

Open full planner View on sky map

Live altitude, moon, and filter guidance

Planning from Sewell, NJ

Calculating target altitude and moon context.

Check your location Enter ZIP in planner

Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.

Planning values are approximate and update in your browser.

Planning site Sewell, NJ 39.7700, -75.1400

Current altitude ...

Based on the current time.

Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.

Next transit ...

Next upper transit.

Rise / set ...

Approximate horizon crossing.

Moon now ...

Moon phase and altitude.

Processing

Acquisition & processing notes

Filter channels, integration times, and capture dates for this frame.

Optolong L-eNhance 2 47 x 300s, 3h 55m