Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not.
Both are equally terrifying.

— Arthur C. Clarke

star cluster

m37

m37

M 37 almost overhead this time of year, in Auriga.

m35

m35

M35 in Gemini, looks much better in the eyepiece than it does in pictures.

Lagoon Nebula

Lagoon Nebula

Sagittarius has many open clusters and a few nebula of which this is one, the Lagoon Nebula.  Sunday night was a 10 out of 10 for seeing, especially for imaging.  This image is only 23 minutes long.  I have a 66 mm scope mounted on top of the Orion 80ed and was viewing the Lagoon Nebula while taking images.  I could not believe my eyes as to the clarity and beauty this nebula shows in a dark sight.  The dark areas could not be illuminated by the stars and appear darker than the background.  Approximately 5,000 light years away and 50 light y