Month: October 2024

NGC 7293 Helix Nebula

October 5, 2024
Planetary nebula
2 Comments

The Helix Nebula, also known as NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula located in the constellation Aquarius, about 650 light-years away from Earth. Often called the “Eye of God” due to its striking appearance, it features a bright, donut-shaped ring of gas and dust surrounding a central, faint white dwarf—the remnant core of a dying star. This nebula formed when the star shed its outer layers in the final stages of its life, creating the colorful halo we see today. It spans about 2.5 light-years and is one of the closest planetary nebulae to Earth, making it a popular object of study in astronomy.

TelescopeNewtonian 200/800 mm
Aperture200 mm
Focal length800 mm
MountSkywatcher EQ6R
AutoguidingZWO 174MM, WO 40/200 mm
CameraZWO 071MC @-0°C
CorrectorGPU
FiltersAntlia DualBand
Exposure131x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-05

NGC 104 Globular Cluster

October 4, 2024
Globular cluster
0 Comment

NGC 104, also known as 47 Tucanae, is a massive globular cluster located in the constellation Tucana, about 13,000 light-years from Earth. It’s one of the brightest and most massive globular clusters in the Milky Way, containing several million stars densely packed within a roughly spherical shape. With a diameter of around 120 light-years, NGC 104 is easily visible to the naked eye in the southern hemisphere. The cluster is rich in older stars, giving it a golden hue, and is known for its dense core, where stars are packed thousands of times closer together than in our solar neighborhood.

TelescopeNewtonian 200/800 mm
Aperture200 mm
Focal length800 mm
MountSkywatcher EQ6R
AutoguidingZWO 174MM, WO 40/200 mm
CameraZWO 071MC @-10°C
CorrectorGPU
Filters–
Exposure47x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-04

IC 2177 Seagull Nebula

October 4, 2024
H II nebula
0 Comment

The Seagull Nebula, designated IC 2177, is a large emission nebula located on the border between the constellations Monoceros and Canis Major, about 3,650 light-years from Earth. Shaped somewhat like a bird in flight, this nebula spans approximately 100 light-years across and consists of a combination of glowing gas and dark dust clouds. The vibrant colors are produced as young, hot stars energize surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to emit a reddish glow. IC 2177 is part of a larger complex of nebulae and star-forming regions, making it an active area for the birth of new stars and a popular subject for both amateur and professional astrophotographers.

TelescopeSkywatcher Esprit 100ED
Aperture100 mm
Focal length550 mm
MountRainbow Astro RST135
AutoguidingZWO 178MM, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO ASI2600MM @0°C
CorrectorSkywatcher flattener
FiltersAntlia Ha OIII SII
Exposure106x300s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-04

Cat’s Paw and Prawn Nebulae

October 3, 2024
H II nebula
0 Comment

The Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) is a bright emission nebula located in the constellation Scorpius (up right). Its distinctive shape resembles a cat’s paw, with regions of glowing gas and dark dust lanes. This star-forming region is rich in massive, young stars, and its reddish color comes from the ionization of hydrogen gas by intense ultraviolet radiation from these stars.

The Prawn Nebula (IC 4628), also in Scorpius (bottom left), is another emission nebula and star-forming region. It is often overlooked due to its faintness but is a beautiful expanse of glowing gas and dust, with an orange or pinkish hue in images. The nebula is lit by nearby hot, young stars and spans about 250 light-years, making it a large but relatively faint target for observers.

Both nebulae are stunning examples of stellar nurseries, offering insights into star formation and cosmic evolution.

TelescopeAskar ACL 200 F4
Aperture50 mm
Focal length200 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Filtersnone
Exposure77x300s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-03

M78 Nebula

October 3, 2024
Reflection nebula
0 Comment

The M78 Nebula, also known as Messier 78, is a bright reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion, about 1,350 light-years from Earth. Known for its striking blue color, M78 is illuminated by the light of young, hot stars embedded within it. The nebula’s dust particles reflect this starlight, creating a luminous glow that highlights its wispy clouds and dark lanes of dust. M78 is one of the brightest reflection nebulae in the sky and is a fascinating region of active star formation, where new stars continue to emerge within dense pockets of gas and dust.

TelescopeNewtonian 200/800 mm
Aperture200 mm
Focal length800 mm
MountSkywatcher EQ6R
AutoguidingZWO 174MM, WO 40/200 mm
CameraZWO 071MC @-10°C
CorrectorGPU
Filters–
Exposure200x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-03

NGC 300 Sculptor Pinwheel Galaxy

October 2, 2024
Galaxy
0 Comment

NGC 300, also known as the Sculptor Pinwheel Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy located approximately 6.07 million light-years away in the constellation Sculptor. It is one of the closest galaxies outside the Local Group and is part of the Sculptor Group of galaxies. With its well-defined spiral arms and central bulge, NGC 300 resembles the Milky Way in structure but is smaller in size. It is known for its vibrant star-forming regions, abundant clusters of young, hot stars, and intricate dust lanes. NGC 300 is often studied for insights into galaxy formation and stellar evolution.

TelescopeNewtonian 200/800 mm
Aperture200 mm
Focal length800 mm
MountSkywatcher EQ6R
AutoguidingZWO 174MM, WO 40/200 mm
CameraZWO 071MC @-10°C
CorrectorGPU
Filters–
Exposure69x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-02

Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), and the dust around

October 2, 2024
Galaxy
0 Comment

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are two irregular dwarf galaxies that orbit the Milky Way. They are among the closest galaxies to us and are visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC): Located about 160,000 light-years away, the LMC is the fourth-largest galaxy in the Local Group. It contains the Tarantula Nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in the nearby universe.
  • Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC): Positioned around 200,000 light-years from Earth, the SMC is smaller and more irregular than the LMC. It has a rich mix of young and old stars and is known for its interaction with both the LMC and the Milky Way, causing bursts of star formation.

Both galaxies are important for studying cosmic evolution and are key targets for astronomers exploring star formation and galactic interactions.

TelescopeSigma 40mm @F1.4
Aperture28 mm
Focal length40 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Filtersnone
Exposure84x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-02

M42 Orion Nebula

October 2, 2024
H II nebula
0 Comment

The Orion Nebula, also known as M42 or NGC 1976, is a massive and bright emission nebula located in the constellation Orion, about 1,344 light-years away from Earth. It spans roughly 24 light-years across and is one of the most active star-forming regions in our galaxy, making it a vivid nursery for new stars and planetary systems. Its intense, colorful glow is due to ultraviolet radiation from young, hot stars within, which ionizes surrounding gas, causing it to shine. Visible even to the naked eye, M42 is one of the most studied and photographed nebulae, offering insights into the processes of stellar and planetary formation.

TelescopeSkywatcher Esprit 100ED
Aperture100 mm
Focal length550 mm
MountRainbow Astro RST135
AutoguidingZWO 178MM, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO ASI2600MM @0°C
CorrectorSkywatcher flattener
FiltersAntlia HaRGB
Exposure232x120s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-02

Lagoon Nebula (M8) and Trifid Nebula (M20)

October 1, 2024
H II nebulaReflection nebula
0 Comment

The Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20) are two iconic star-forming regions in the constellation Sagittarius, located approximately 4,100 and 5,200 light-years from Earth, respectively.

The Lagoon Nebula (right) is a vast emission nebula filled with glowing hydrogen gas, creating a reddish hue. Spanning about 110 light-years across, it’s a region rich with young stars and dense, dark clouds of gas and dust, where new stars continue to form. The Lagoon’s large, bright structure and open star cluster make it a prominent and popular sight in the Milky Way.

The Trifid Nebula (left) is known for its unique appearance, where dark dust lanes divide its central region into three distinct lobes, giving it a “trifid” or “three-part” look. The Trifid features a combination of reddish emission nebula, blue reflection nebula, and dark nebula, creating a beautiful, multicolored display. Together, the Lagoon and Trifid nebulae offer a stunning view of diverse nebular activity and star formation.

TelescopeSkywatcher Esprit 100ED
Aperture100 mm
Focal length550 mm
MountRainbow Astro RST135
AutoguidingZWO 178MM, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 2600MM @-10°C
CorrectorSkywatcher flattener
FiltersAntlia HaRGB
Exposure127x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-01

NGC 55 String of Pearls Galaxy

October 1, 2024
Galaxy
0 Comment

NGC 55 is a barred irregular galaxy located in the constellation Sculptor, approximately 6.5 million light-years from Earth. It is a member of the Sculptor Group, one of the closest galaxy groups to our own Local Group. NGC 55’s elongated, edge-on structure gives it a striking resemblance to the Small Magellanic Cloud, making it an intriguing subject for astronomers studying galaxy formation and evolution. It features active star-forming regions, dust lanes, and a complex mix of young blue stars and older red stars. Its irregular shape is likely influenced by gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies.

TelescopeNewtonian 200/800 mm
Aperture200 mm
Focal length800 mm
MountSkywatcher EQ6R
AutoguidingZWO 174MM, WO 40/200 mm
CameraZWO 071MC @-10°C
CorrectorGPU
Filters–
Exposure79x180s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-01

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

October 1, 2024
Solar system
0 Comment

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is a long-period comet discovered in early 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and the ATLAS survey project in Hawaii. It has drawn attention for its potential to become a bright object in the sky as it approaches the Sun. The comet’s path took it closest to the Sun (perihelion) in late September 2024, making it visible from Earth, especially in the southern hemisphere, and giving it a spectacular appearance. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and I captured it with two different optical instruments. The comet was very close to the sun, and two tails were visible on this specific day. The primary large tail is made of dust particles, which are frozen in the comet and evaporated by the sun. The secondary tail is on the other hand created by the UV light, which ionizes the gas blown off the comet, and the solar wind carries these ions straight out from the Sun to form the ion tail, which typically glows blue. This is exactly, what is visible on the following picture:

TelescopeAskar ACL200
Aperture50 mm
Focal length200 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Exposure8x60s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-10-01
LensSigma 40 mm Art
Focal ratio F 1.4
Focal length40 mm
MountTripod
CameraSony A7III astro-modified
ISO1600
Exposure158x5s
Date2024-10-01