An Astronomical Jewel Box - including Sh2-173 The Phantom of the Opera, NGC225 The Sailboat Cluster and friends (Harel Boren)

An Astronomical Jewel Box - including Sh2-173 The Phantom of the Opera, NGC225 The Sailboat Cluster and friends

The constellation Cassiopeia unveils a celestial jewel box, where vibrant colors and intricate dust formations intertwine to create a mesmerizing tapestry. This image captures the essence of the cosmos, showcasing a variety of astronomical objects, each contributing to the overall splendor.

At the heart of this stellar display lies NGC 225, known as the Sail Boat Cluster. This open star cluster is enveloped by the reflection nebula VdB 4, which reflects the blue light of the cluster's stars, adding a delicate azure hue to the scene. The surrounding dark gas and dust clouds further enhance the contrast, highlighting the cluster's brilliance.

Adjacent to this, the Little Rosette Nebula, or Sh2-170, presents itself as a smaller counterpart to the famed Rosette Nebula. This H II region, located approximately 7,500 light-years away, is a stellar nursery where new stars are born. The nebula's circular shape and reddish glow, resulting from ionized hydrogen gas, contribute to the image's rich palette.

Adding to the diversity is Sh2-173, aptly nicknamed the Phantom of the Opera Nebula due to its resemblance to the iconic mask. This emission nebula, situated about 8,800 light-years from Earth, showcases intricate patterns formed by interstellar dust and gas. The interplay of light and shadow within this nebula adds depth and mystery to the composition.

The open cluster NGC 7790 also graces this image, featuring a congregation of young stars approximately 60–80 million years old. Located around 10,800 light-years away, this cluster is notable for containing three Cepheid variables, which are crucial for measuring astronomical distances. The cluster's luminosity and the surrounding interstellar medium's interaction contribute to the image's dynamic range.

With the framing of this image I tried to bring together these diverse objects, each with its unique characteristics, into a harmonious celestial portrait. The vibrant colors, ranging from deep reds to bright blues, along with the intricate dust formations, showcase the beauty and complexity of the universe. The careful composition not only highlights each object's individual allure but also seeks to emphasizes their collective contribution a colorful cosmic jewel box.

	Distinct awarded users	Total awarded images
Image of the day
Top picks
Top pick nominations

	Image of the day	Top pick	Top pick nominations	Total submitted
Deep sky
Solar system
Extremely wide field
Star trails
Northern lights
Noctilucent clouds
Landscape
Artificial satellite

	Image of the day	Top pick	Top pick nominations	Total submitted
Backyard
Traveller
Own remote observatory
Amateur hosting facility
Public amaeteur data
Professional, scientific grade data
Mix of multiple sources
Other
Unknown

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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
PixInsight job	NDY80N0GOY3X4DTOWQANHO4BP96MWR9W
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	00h25m49s.30
RA (top/left)	23h45m56s.10
RA (top/right)	00h07m03s.82
RA (bottom/right)	00h55m40s.17
RA (bottom/left)	00h52m42s.94

Dec (center)	+61°40′23″.7
Dec (top/left)	+65°52′25″.3
Dec (top/right)	+56°05′05″.10
Dec (bottom/right)	+56°55′35″.10
Dec (bottom/left)	+67°01′07″.5

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