Barnard's Merope Nebula (IC 349)

Image Title: Barnard's Merope Nebula (IC 349)

Copyright: Drew Evans

Date image was taken: February 27, 2025

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: Barnard's Merope Nebula (IC 349)
(full resolution - https://www.astrobin.com/1z3z3j)

Barnard's Merope Nebula, IC 349, is a small, bright reflection nebula discovered by E. E. Barnard in 1890, located extremely close to the star Merope in the Pleiades star cluster. It is situated only 0.06 light-years away, which is a significant factor in its brightness.

IC 349 is a reflection nebula, meaning it is composed of dust and gas illuminated by a nearby star, with very little ionization within the cloud.
It is the brightest part of the Pleiades' diffuse nebulosity and is characterized by fan-shaped tendrils that point toward Merope, formed as the nebula is decelerated by the star's radiation pressure. While it has a visual association with the Pleiades, it is believed to be an "interstellar interloper," a fragment of a molecular cloud that the cluster encountered.

Imaging Specifications
OTA: Celestron EdgeHD 11” SCT
Mount: iOptron CEM120
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Gain: 100
Cooling Temperature: -10 degrees celsius
L 170 x 10s = 30 minutes
R 215 x 15s = 54 minutes
G 232 x 15s = 58 minutes
B 274 x 15s = 1 hour 8 minutes
3 hours 30 minutes total integration
Auto-guiding: ZWO ASI174MM Mini and ZWO OAG-L
Auto-focusing: ZWO EAF
Control: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Calibrated in Pixinsight (WBPP) with flats, darks and dark flats. Processed in Pixinsight.

Imaged from Flagstaff, Arizona in class 2 Bortle skies - https://NAZObservatory.com

Name: Drew Evans

Website or Facebook Profile: http://NAZObservatory.com