NGC 7538

An exciting emission and reflection nebula in Cepheus, namely NGC 7538. It is the host to ongoing star formation and includes the largest known protostar. This is, apparently, embedded in a collapsing core of 85-115 solar masses on the way to becoming a high mass B star.

Taken by Rhys Owen from Hatfield on the 8th of September, using a modified Canon 600D on a Takahashi 106FSQ. Guiding was done with a Celestron Nexstar8 controlled by PHD. The exposure was 3x500sec., captured in Nebulosity, calibrated in Astroart with darks, no flats, and finally processed in Photoshop.