It is clear to everyone that astronomy at all events compels the soul to look upwards, and draws it from the things of this world to the other.

— Plato

Astrophotography

The dark side of photography. Deep space and planetary imaging. Occasionally some day light pictures of the Sun.

Moon 8 AM

Moon 8 AM

Moon 8AM in the morning, shortly after the last full moon. 7 shots stacked with Registax 4.01 first attempt.

M27 in Ha and OIII

M27 in Ha and OIII

First attempt at narrow band imaging: Makes mince-meat of our light pollution!

PELICAN NEBULA

PELICAN NEBULA

Tuesday evening I decided that the clear skies demanded that I participate in astronomy in one form or another.  Tempted to stay in and rest I finally convinced myself I should go outside.  Glad I did. Tracking was right on!

This image of the Pelican Nebula was taken in Ha thru my AstroTech 66mm ED telescope piggybacked on top of my Orion 80ED.  It represents 50 one minute exposure combined, processed in MaxIm DL/CCD and Photoshop.

Full Moon

Full Moon

M13

M13

M31

M31

Eagle Nebula aka NGC6611

Eagle Nebula aka NGC6611

The Eagle Nebula is a 33 minute combined image taken Sunday night, processed in Photoshop.  Another great shot on a sharp clear night low on the horizon.  Also taken using the Orion Ha filter.

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

M17 no filter

M17 no filter

43 min image without filter