Nights at Melinda Heights

For a full size image click here.

Object Name: VdB 158 Region

Distance: 1,400 Light Years

Magnitude: 9 for VdB 158

Size: 1.5 degrees for LBN 534

Telescope: Borg 71

Camera: QSI683

Mount: AP1100

Exposures: L 18×420 Bin 1, R 24×210 Bin 2, G 24×210 Bin 2, B 24×210 Bin 2

This image was captured from my home in a Bortle 6 zone. I was fortunate to not have any light pollution issues in this image. 

VdB 158 is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Andromeda. It is illuminated by a bright Type B star identified as HD 222142 and is seen at the top of the check marked shape dust cloud. 

The dust cloud that is the shape of a checkmark is LBN 534 or GAL 110-13. It is about 1.5 degrees long.

NGC 7686 is a small open star cluster at the right middle edge of my image. It contains approximately 80 stars.