LDN 1228 and LBN 552: Galactic Cirrus
“A deep field showcasing the intricate, sweeping dark dust clouds of LDN 1228 and LBN 552, part of a vast galactic cirrus complex in Cepheus.”
This deep exposure focuses on LDN 1228 and the surrounding LBN 552 region, an expansive and intricate molecular cloud complex located in the constellation Cepheus. Unlike emission nebulae that glow from ionized gas, these structures are part of the galactic cirrus—massive, dense clouds of interstellar dust that obscure the starlight behind them while faintly reflecting the integrated light of the Milky Way galaxy.
The image reveals dramatic, sweeping filaments of dark brownish dust contrasting against the starry background. The long exposure times, particularly through the luminance filter, were crucial to pull out the incredibly faint details and delicate textures of this elusive cosmic landscape.
Stacked and processed in PixInsight.
Integration
| Filter | Subs |
|---|---|
| L | 29 x 600s (4h 50m) |
| R | 10 x 300s (50m) |
| G | 10 x 300s (50m) |
| B | 10 x 300s (50m) |