Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud in LRGB (David Payne)

Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud in LRGB

Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud , May 2023
Televue 127is telescope and A-P Mach2 mount
ASI6200MM Camera, Baader BB CMOS Opt Filters
Lum (62 x120s exposures, Bin 1x1 Gain 100)
RGB (3 x 42 x 120s exposures, Bin 1x1 Gain 100)
Total Integration Time = 6.3 hours

The Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud is a star forming region that is just getting started, only a portion of which is captured in this image. The cloud complex is partially opaque to stars behind it, and evidence of denser black accumulations are forming, where new stars are likely to be created.
Herbig Haro objects, caused by ion jets ejected by newborn stars interacting with the molecular cloud can be see in many places, particularly near the top of the image.
In the centre of the image is NGC 7023, the Iris Nebula, a patch of blue light from new, hot, massive stars reflected off of the molecular cloud itself.
On the far right is Sh2-136, "The Ghost Nebula", where I am sure some stars are being baked within it collapsing dark knots.
Another curiosity of this image, is the large orange/red star, "T Cephei" near the centre of the lower right quadrant of the image. This is "Mira variable" star, a pulsating red giant star in the last million or so years of its life before becoming nova and transforming into a white dwarf. Mira stars brighten and darken at least 2.5 units of magnitude over periods > 100day. T Cephei itself moves between magnitudes 5.2 and 11.3 over a period of 388 days. At least that's why it appears so red. (Note another red variable stars appears in the M63 image in this collection).
Deterring from this image are the funny star shapes, particularly in the corners. I believe this is due to a polar alignment / guiding issue as it is uncharacteristic of my mount and telescope. I.E. blame me, and not my equipment.

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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	7803878
PixInsight job	PHFKYYTL2ZBSBTTJVEXEHC99XFCKAIET
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	21h01m41s.51
RA (top/left)	20h45m59s.99
RA (top/right)	21h17m46s.38
RA (bottom/right)	21h18m54s.60
RA (bottom/left)	20h44m07s.32

Dec (center)	+68°09′35″.5
Dec (top/left)	+67°03′21″.8
Dec (top/right)	+67°06′19″.4
Dec (bottom/right)	+69°09′48″.2
Dec (bottom/left)	+69°06′37″.8

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