The Cosmic Question Mark (Ced 214 Region, Cepheus) - June,July 2023
Askar 500FRA telecope; IOptron HEM27 mount
ASI2600MC, Antlia Triband Ultra Filter (NB)
3 Panels (73,74,55 x 4800s exposures, Bin 1x1, Gain 100)
Total Integration Time = 26.9 hours
The Cosmic Question Mark in Cepheus stretches over 4 degrees of sky from top to bottom and straddles Greenwich Meridian of 0hrs RA. It is comprised of many identified emission nebula - most promenant are Ced 214 (aka NGC7822, the brightest emitter in the middle of the mark), Sh2-171 forming the top part of the mark, and Sh2-170 forming the dot - all of which are star forming regions. There are also a few star cluster here, the most notable being NGC 7762 within the upper right portion of the image, within the top part of the mark.
The entire question mark is not often imaged, as its component nebulae are fairly non-descript - with extremely little OIII or even blue colour, for that matter, other than in the stars themselves. The other reason is that it requires an extremely wide view or a mosaic to capture the entire object.
There are a couple of dark nebula bands thar run across the frame, the upper one clearly further along the path of fragmentation and collapse that will lead to more stars, than the one further down that remains quite diffuse.
Here I have emplyed a modified Forax palette, that I have also modified to tone down the bronze colour in favour of truer reddish tones.
If there is a sign to be had, I think it is "The Universe is Confused."