Tag: iOptron HEM15

Cat’s Paw and Prawn Nebulae

October 3, 2024
H II nebula
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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

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

October 2, 2024
Galaxy
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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

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

October 1, 2024
Solar system
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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

Dark Nebula in the constellation Corona Australis

September 29, 2024
Dark NebulaReflection nebula
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The Dark Nebula in the constellation Corona Australis, also known as the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud, is a dense region of interstellar dust and gas located about 430 light-years from Earth. This dark nebula is notable for its opaque appearance, as it blocks light from stars behind it, creating a stark, shadowy silhouette against the surrounding star field. Within this cloud, young stars are actively forming, and the nebula itself appears to be dotted with faint, reflection nebulae illuminated by these young stars. Its dark, dusty tendrils make it a fascinating example of a star-forming region hidden in shadow, offering a glimpse into the early stages of stellar evolution.

TelescopeAskar ACL200
Aperture50 mm
Focal length200 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Corrector–
Filters–
Exposure102x300s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-09-29

IC 2118 Witch Head Nebula

September 29, 2024
Reflection nebula
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The Witch Head Nebula is a striking and eerie interstellar cloud of dust and gas located in the constellation Orion. Its distinct shape, resembling the profile of a witch’s face in profile, is created by the illumination of nearby stars. This nebula spans about 50 light-years across and is primarily composed of hydrogen gas, which glows faintly in the presence of ultraviolet radiation from neighboring stars. The nebula is a site of ongoing star formation, with young, hot stars embedded within its dusty tendrils.

I tried to capture this nebula several times, but the outcomes were always questionable. This time I had excellent sky conditions – no clouds, no humidity, and nothing that bothered me in creating finally the image I like.

TelescopeAskar ACL200
Aperture50 mm
Focal length200 mm
MountiOptron HEM15
AutoguidingZWO ASI485MC, QHY Mini Guide Scope
CameraZWO 6200MC @0°C
Filters–
Exposure101x300s, Gain 100, bin 1×1,
Date2024-09-29