Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cassiopeia (Cas)  ·  Contains:  IC 59  ·  IC 63  ·  The star γCas  ·  The star υ2Cas  ·  gamma Cas nebula
IC 59 & IC 63, Jan Curtis
IC 59 & IC 63
Powered byPixInsight

IC 59 & IC 63

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

180mm @ f/4.ISO 1250

Gamma Cassiopeiae is a shell star in the middle of the Cassiopeia's 'W' figure. It is losing its mass to a disk that encircles the star. Ultraviolet radiation from the star is evaporating two reflection nebulae that are to the left of the star.

They are arch shaped and they scatter the blue starlight they receive from the star. IC 63 is more purple and pink than blue because of an emission component and IC 59 is more blue. Although it seems almost improbable, the difference between the appearance of both nebulae is due to them being at varying distances from Gamma Cassiopeiae, IC 59 is more distant. The evidence for this is a large nebulous shell around Gamma Cassiopeiae that was detected by the Wisconsin H-alpha Mapper survey, both nebulae are part of this Ha shell.

Like an arcane secret sworn to secrecy, there is a tiny yellowish nebula between the two. It is very hard to spot even in large telescopes and is an unexpected find.

Comments

Revisions

  • IC 59 & IC 63, Jan Curtis
    Original
  • IC 59 & IC 63, Jan Curtis
    B
  • Final
    IC 59 & IC 63, Jan Curtis
    C

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

IC 59 & IC 63, Jan Curtis