NGC281W The Pacman Nebula

NGC 281, also known as the Pacman Nebula, is a bright emission nebula in Cassiopeia, part of the Milky Way’s Perseus Spiral Arm. Spanning roughly 20×30 arcminutes, it includes the open cluster IC 1590, several Bok globules, and the multiple star system B 1. The nebula lies about 9,200 light-years away and is nicknamed for its resemblance to the classic video game character.

Discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard in 1883, the nebula is a stunning blend of glowing gas and dark cosmic structures, inviting observers to explore its intricate details.

My story: Step back into the colorful world of the ’90s and relive a childhood classic: Pac-Man. As a kid raised on the first desktop computers, I spent countless hours chasing dots on the legendary Atari machines. Don’t forget to celebrate May 22nd—Pac-Man Day—honoring the game’s first public release in Japan.

Star chart of the night sky showing constellations, planets, and stars with labeled celestial objects and a prominent red mark near the constellation Perseus.

Object description is sourced from Wikipedia and published under GNU Free Documentation Licence. Please check original article here.

Fine Art Prints & Postcards

Smartphone Wallpaper