NGC 281, widely known as the Pacman Nebula, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia and represents an active star-forming region. Its distinctive shape is sculpted by dense clouds of gas and dust, which appear as dark silhouettes against the glowing background of ionized hydrogen and oxygen.

In this image, the high-energy inner regions of the nebula are rendered in turquoise and blue tones dominated by OIII emission, while the outer structures reveal the warmer red hues of H-alpha. Prominent dark lanes crossing the nebula trace cold molecular clouds, providing striking contrast and highlighting the dynamic interaction between stellar radiation and interstellar material.

This image was captured using narrowband H-alpha and OIII data and combined in a pseudo-SHO palette, allowing fine filamentary details and internal structures of the nebula to be revealed while maintaining a natural balance with the surrounding star field taken with a luminance filter.