IC348 October 2023

[Andy Nowlen]

I revisited this target during our last and most recent 4 nights of October clear skies. Obstructions block my view to the east so this target gets a late start time. For some variety of miracles, the guiding on my CEM26 was unusually good. It hovered between .4 and .8 all night long. With this mount that does not happen frequently!

Those with a strong case of pareidolia might see a masked figure fleeing the bright blue stars. My eye sees the slight reddish dust behind the mask which gives me a sense of movement. There must be some sort of mythological storytelling possible in this case.

Sharpstar 76mm @ 335mm
Radian triad ultra filter
Asi071mc cool
CEM26 mount
11 hours of integration

 

[AlanLichty]

I couldn't see the masked face until you described it. Now I can't unsee it

 

[JimFox]

Very cool Andy! Love your work on this. I see the mask, but I also see a hand. The Ha looks like a hand that is crushing a flower.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Really nice! Even with your excellent seeing, my only nitpick is that perhaps the stars are reduced too much? Of course, like most of the rest of the processing decisions, that one is ttotally personal taste. Great ijmage in any case!

ML