description IC 59 Overview
IC 59 is a diffuse nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia, close to the bright, unstable variable star Gamma Cassiopeiae. It contains both reflection and emission components: some of its visible light is scattered starlight, while nearby gas also produces its own emission. IC 59 forms part of the wider nebulous region surrounding Gamma Cassiopeiae and is a target for long-exposure astronomical imaging.
help IC 59 FAQ
How do I locate IC 59 in the night sky?
Point your telescope at Gamma Cassiopeiae, the middle star of the 'W' shape in the constellation Cassiopeia, and IC 59 sits close by. It forms a pair with the neighboring nebula IC 63, both associated with that bright star.
What is the difference between IC 59 and IC 63?
They are two nebulae lying near Gamma Cassiopeiae, with IC 63 generally considered the brighter and more commonly imaged of the pair. IC 59 is usually fainter and shows its light more as scattered reflection from the star.
Why does Gamma Cassiopeiae make these nebulae glow?
Gamma Cassiopeiae is a hot, unstable variable star that sheds material from its equator, and its radiation lights up nearby gas. IC 59 shows both reflection, where starlight scatters off dust, and emission, where the gas itself glows.
Can IC 59 be seen visually in an amateur telescope?
Both IC 59 and IC 63 are notoriously faint targets, generally out of reach of visual observation in typical amateur instruments. Long-exposure imaging from a dark site, often with narrowband filters, is the realistic way to record them.
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