Total Exposure Time: 28:15 hours
LRGB = 264x300"; 3x25x300" UNGUIDED 5 min. frames
RA 02h 54m 33.496s, Dec +69°00′01.50"
Pos Angle 89.588 degrees, FL 750 mm, 0.513"/pixel, Field radius: 1.049 degrees
This image is 12086x8382 pixels

Imaged under the crystal clear skies of Own Remote Observatory, Astropcamp Nerpio, Spain, 1650 meters high

H10 F3 OTA, ASI6200MM Pro Camera, ASA DDM60 Pro Mount

This images is the 2nd shot from my remote observatory in Nerpio, Spain., comprising 28:15 hours integration time.

Explanation: Drifting near the plane of our Milky Way galaxy these dusty molecular clouds seem to extend a helping hand on a cosmic scale. Part of a local complex of star-forming interstellar clouds they include LDN 1358, 1357, and 1355 from American astronomer Beverly Lynds' 1962 Catalog of Dark Nebulae. Presenting a challenging target for astro-imagers, the obscuring dark nebulae are nearly 3,000 light-years away, toward rich starfields in the northern constellation Cassiopeia. At that distance, this deep, telescopic field of view would span about 160 light-years. Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap241108.html of Nov. 8, 2024

As for me, I have viewed tens of images of this wonderful object over the years, and was craving for the day I’d have the opportunity to shoot my own and seek to present that special feeling of awe that fills me when watching the tender gesture - of the Helping Hand among the sea of stars and dusty lanes.

I am posting another version of this image - with a larger view the area surrounding the Helping Hand - full of colorful stars and dusty skies... There was just no way to have it both ways - bring the "big picture" and give a good detailed view at the same time... you can find that larger view in version here: https://pbase.com/boren/image/175123371