Exposure: Exposure:  10 x 6 min (1x1 bin) exposure with IR/UV Block filter, 12 x 10 min (1x1 bin) exposure with H-Alpha filter, 8 x 4 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) - Deep Sky Stacker. LRGB channel registration, equalization, and gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine - ImagesPlus. Luminance Layering, final stretch, and finishing  - Photoshop.  RGB calibration - eXcalibrator. This image is a  RGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color.  The H-Alpha filter exposure was screen blended into both the IR/UV Blocking filter exposure stack and used for the luminance layer. Images processed at 3352 x 2532 resolution. Final Image size is approximately  2800 x 2100.

North is up in this image.  NGC 281 is located in the constellation of Cassiopeia. It is an emission / reflection nebula. It is sometimes called the Pac Man Nebula due to its resemblance of the well known computer game character. The eastern part of NGC 281 (left portion) also has an "NGC281E"  indicating a structural distinction from the main complex . The dark lane has an Dobashi and TGU dark nebula designation and the open cluster in the middle of the nebula complex is designated IC 1590. These objects  are identified in the annotated image. This image replaces an earlier image which can be seen in the Archives here.  Horizontal FOV is 85'