Cassiopeia Asterism, California

Cassiopeia Asterism
Panamint Valley, California   –   December 5, 2021
— Ralph Paonessa
Canon EOS 6D   *   Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM   *   ISO 1600   *   321 sec @ f/4

The five brightest stars of the constellation Cassiopeia, the Queen, are enhanced by the presence of high, thin clouds in this image, revealing the familiar "M" pattern in this dense winter Milky Way star field.

From dark skies, you can make out a sixth star that forms the chair asterism on which the queen sits (dashed lines).

The circled area is the Double Cluster in neighboring Perseus, also visible from dark skies.

In the Northern winter, Cassiopeia rides high in the sky, above Polaris. In the warmer months, this scene is upside and the "W" hovers closer to the horizon.

Compare to this wider field.

Extended exposure with camera on Star Adventurer sky tracker.

Photo ID: 20211205-156-Edit