The Pacman Nebula (NGC 281)
Click on photo for larger image.
The nebula is a star-forming region 10,000 light years away. Radiation from hot new stars forming out of the dust causes
the surrounding gas to glow. Most of the radiation here is from ionized hydrogen. Dark cooler dust lanes block the radiation
and account for the characteristic shape.
330 min. exposure, Canon 450D, IDAS Nebula filter, ISO 1600 101mm refractor @f/5.4
Potawatomi Wildlife Park, Marshall County, Indiana