Friday, March 29, 2013

NGC7331


Twenty years ago I saw this galaxy for the first time through the eyepiece of a telescope – an Island group of stars over 40 million light years away in the constellation Pegasus. It’s is only fitting that now after my own fiftieth voyage around our home star that I am just beginning to capture in a picture what I remember from all those years ago. Total exposure time of 15.75 hours.

NGC 7635


I started this photograph last year at the Peach State Star Gaze that was held at the Deerlick Astronomy Village.  It is a wonderful place to camp and look up at the stars.  This photograph is of NGC 7635, SH2-162, also called the Bubble Nebula.  It is an emission nebula about 7,800 light years away in the constellation Cassiopeia.   The estimated width across the bubble is 10 light years.  Total exposure time 21.5 hours.  Hope you enjoy!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

M1 Crab Nebula


The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant in the constellation of Taurus. The nebula was observed by John Bevis in 1731; it corresponds to a bright supernova recorded by Arab, Chinese and Japanese astronomers in 1054. Total of 18.5 hour exposure taken through emission line filters.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

IC434


Optics:  Deep Sky Instruments RC10C
Mount:  Astro-Physics AP900GTO
Camera:   SBIG ST2K XM
Guiding Camera:  SBIG ST-i
Filters Astrodon  S2, Ha & O3
Location:  Deerlick Astronomy Village & Roswell Georgia

Exposure Details
S2 = 660 Minutes (mapped to red)
Ha = 405 Minutes (mapped to green)
O3 = 210 Minutes (mapped to blue)
All sub-exposures were 15 Minutes.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

NGC7000



After raking the fall leaves as a small boy I use to spend time daydreaming and looking at the clouds - forming familiar shapes of animals and objects - usually from the books that I was reading or from places we visited.  The same way I use to daydream as a child – I find myself “night” dreaming while at the telescope.  This one reminds me of a palm tree bending in the oceans breezes.  As an “older” boy now it is nice to remember those younger days. 

This photograph is a small 22 x 30 arc minute view of the North America Nebula.  NGC7000 is a  emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus close to the star Deneb and about 1800 light years distance.   This dim nebula is quite large covering an area larger than four full moons and was discovered by William Herschell on October 24, 1786.  



Optics:  Deep Sky Instruments RC10C
Mount:  Astro-Physics AP900GTO
Camera:   SBIG ST2K XM
Guiding Camera:  SBIG ST-i
Filters Astrodon  S2, Ha & O3
Location:  Deerlick Astronomy Village & Roswell, Georgia

Two Part Mosaic Total Exposure Details
S2 = 1440 Minutes (mapped to red)
Ha = 300 Minutes (mapped to green)
O3 = 1050 Minutes (mapped to blue)
All sub-exposures were 15 Minutes.
Total Exposure Time 46.5 Hours

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

NGC 6888


It was wonderful to see the stars the last few nights. The air was calm, cool with low humidity, the skies steady – perfect weather for imaging!

The Crescent Nebula (also known as NGC 6888, Caldwell 27, Sharpless 105) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 5000 light years away from our home planet. .

Optics:  Deep Sky Instruments RC10C
Mount:  Astro-Physics AP900GTO
Camera:   SBIG ST2K XM
Guiding Camera:  SBIG ST-i
Filters Astrodon  Ha and O3
Location:  Roswell, Georgia

Exposure Details:
Ha = 330 Minutes (mapped to red)
O3 = 480 Minutes (mapped to blue & green)

Friday, July 20, 2012

NGC4725



As the weather continues to be “Stormy” along the southeast, my hopes of finishing this picture are dwindling.  Looks like I’ll add it to the list of shots to complete on the spring next year.   NGC 4725 is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy about 40 million light-years away from our home planet in the constellation Coma Berenices.
Optics:  Deep Sky Instruments RC10C
Mount:  Astro-Physics AP900GTO
Camera:   SBIG ST2K XM
Guiding Camera:  SBIG ST-i
Filters Astrodon  Ha & Luminance
Location:  Deerlick Astronomy Village & Roswell, Georgia

Exposure Details
Ha = 840 Minutes
Luminance= 210 Minutes 


Larger version below: