ES 127mm refractor, 3x focal extender, Canon T6i camera, and Celestron CGX-L Mount

ES 127mm refractor, 3x focal extender, Canon T6i camera, and Celestron CGX-L Mount

ES 80mm ED refractor, 3x focal extender, Canon T6i camera, and Celestron AVX mount

600mm Convex (mirror) lens with Canon T6i

Rokinon 135mm with Canon T6i

Canon 50mm Kit lens with Canon T6i

The Cygnus Wall is a section of NGC 7000 the North America nebula.  The nebula is located about 2,600 light years distant in the constellation Cygnus (the swan). This is a continuation of my learning process with monochrome images.  I imaged using hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur filters.   

The images were taken using a monochrome camera on the nights of August 24, 25 and 26, 2024.  This was 163 x  300 second (5 minute) images for a total of 11 hours and 10 minutes integration time. The images were stacked using Deep Sky Stacker (DSS) and processed using SIRIL and GIMP software. 

The equipment used was the William Optics FLT91 refractor, ASI 533MM Pro Monochrome camera, and an ASI AM5 mount.  The images were controlled using an ASIAir minicomputer.  The filters used were SVBony 5nm narrowband Hydrogen alpha  and Sulfur two filters and an Antlia 2.5nm narrowband Oxygen three filter.

NGC 7023, the Iris Nebula, is a reflection Nebula  located about 1,300 light-years distant in the constellation Cepheus (King of Aethiopia).  

The image was captured over three nights, August 24, 25, and 26, 2024.  This was 161 x  300 second (5 minute) images for a total of 13 hours and 25 minutes integration time. The images were stacked using Deep Sky Stacker (DSS) and processed using GraXpert, SIRIL, and GIMP software. 

The equipment used for capture was a William Optics RedCat 51mm (2 inch wide) refractor telescope using a ZWO ASI183MC Pro color camera, with an Antlia Quad and filter.  All of this was mounted on a ZWO AM3 mount and controlled using an ASIAIR Plus minicomputer. 

M 16, the Eagle Nebula is an emission nebula located 5,700 light-years distant in the constellation Serpens (the Serpent). It contains “The Pillars of Creation” made famous in the picture taken by the Hubble Telescope. 

This picture is my first ever(first light) taken with the ASI 533 monochrome (black and white) camera.  The false colors were added to highlight the contrasting details in the image. In this case the false colors are what is known as the Hubble pallet, after the color combination used by NASA for its Hubble Telescope images. 

This target was imaged over five nights in July and August 2024.  It is 133  x 300sec images for a total integration of 11 hours and 10 minutes. The equipment used was the William Optics FLT91 refractor, ASI 533MM Pro Monochrome camera, and an ASI AM5 mount.  The images were controlled using an ASIAir minicomputer.  The filters used were SVBony 5nm narrowband oxygen 3, hydrogen alpha, and sulfur 2 filters.

The Veil nebula is a supernova remnant. The nebula is located 2400 light years away in the constellation Cygnus.

Sometime between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago a star about twenty times more massive than our Sun exploded in a supernova scattering remnants and gas throughout the cosmos. The Veil Nebula in the picture shows the visible remnants of this explosion. Since the initial explosion, the remnants have expanded to 3 degrees or roughly six times the diameter of the full moon.

Given the size of this image, I used my Rokinon 135mm camera lens for a wide field of view. 

The image was captured over the nights of June 24 and 25, and July 02 and 03, 2024. The image consists of170 x 300 sec (5 min) stacked for a total integration time of  14 hours and 10 minutes total integration time. The equipment used for the capture was the Rokinon 135mm lens, the ASI533MC Pro camera, an Optolong L-eXtreme filter, and the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI Mount. This capture was controlled using an ASI AIR Mini. The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software.

The Sadr Region is an area of nebulosity surrounding the star Sadr in the  constellation Cygnus. It is known as the gamma Cygni  nebula. The field of view also includes NGC 6888, the Crescent Nebula in the upper left-hand corner. Given the wide field of view for this image I used the Rokinon 135mm camera leans at f/4.

This is my first picture combining images from a prior year. The image consists of 51 pictures taken in August of 2023 and July of 2024 for a total of 4 hours and 15 minutes of total integration time.

The image consists of51 x 300 sec (5 min) stacked for a total integration time of  4 hours and 15 minutes total integration time. The equipment used for the capture was the Rokinon 135mm lens, the ASI533MC Pro camera, an Optolong L-eXtreme and L-eNhance filters, and the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI Mount. This capture was controlled using an ASI AIR Mini. The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software.

M 57 is a planetary nebula located 2500 light years away in the constellation Lyra. It has a diameter of roughly 2 to 4 light years. The nebula was discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier while he was searching for comets in 1779. This type of nebula forms when a star, in its final stages of transition before becoming a white dwarf,  expels ionized gas into its surrounding space.

This image was taken the nights of June 13 and 14, 2024. The image is 8 hours and 32 minutes total integration time. The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Antlia Quad Band filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount. A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding. The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus. The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software.

M 13 is a globular Cluster of stars containing between 300,000 and 500,000 stars within a roughly 80 light year radius. It is located about 22,000 light years away in the constellation Hercules.  This is the most prominent globular clusters in the northern hemisphere.  It was discovered by Edmund Halley (better known for his comet) in 1714.  

The edge on galaxy in the image to the right of M 13 is NGC 6207.  This is a spiral galaxy about 30 million light years distant.  

This image was taken the night of May 15, 2024.  The image is the result of stacking 107 x 15 second exposures for a total integration time of 26 minutes and 45 seconds.   When imaging globular clusters I use a much shorter exposure time (15 seconds vs. the normal 300 seconds) as longer exposure times will blow out the stars in the center of the cluster.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the  Antlia Quad Band filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software.

M 53 is a globular Cluster of stars located about 58,000 light years away in the constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair).  It was discovered in 1775

This image was taken the night of May 28, 2024.  The image is the result of stacking 113 x 30 sec images for a total integration of 56 minutes and 30 seconds.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Antlia Quad Band filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software.

M 10 is a globular Cluster of stars located about 14,300 light years away in the constellation Ophiuchus (Serpent Bearer).  

This image was taken the night of May 28, 2024.  The image is 1 hour and 14 min total integration time.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the  Antlia Quad Band filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software. 

Sh2-274, the Medusa Nebula, is a planetary nebula located approximately 1,500 light years away in the constellation Gemini (the Twins).  The nebula was first discovered in 1955.

This is usually the last nebula I try to image in the winter sky.  This is a difficult target for me as the target is faint which makes capturing details a challenge.  As winter now begins to give way to spring the night sky, due to the positioning of earth in its rotation,  offers few nebula targets, but becomes rich with galaxy targets for imaging.  

This image was taken during the nights of February 13, 19, & 20,  2024.  The image is the result of stacking 172 x 300 second exposures for a total integration time of 14hours and 20 minutes.   The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Player One Anti Halo dual Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software h Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL.

NGC 2238 the Rosette Nebula is a hydrogen gas region located in a giant molecular cloud in the constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn).  The stars in the open cluster NGC 2244 located in the center of the nebula, were formed from the nebula's matter .  The nebula is located approximately 5,200 light years away.

This is a (relatively) bright, well defined target in the winter sky.  I have imaged this target multiple times.  This time I used the Rokinon 135mm lens for a wider field of view allowing me to capture the main target and the surrounding nebulosity in the region.  

This image was taken during the nights of February 13, 19, & 20,  2024.  The image is the result of stacking 165 x 300 second exposures for a total integration time of 13 hours and 45 minutes.   The equipment used for the capture was the Rokinon 135mm lens, the ASI533MC Pro camera, an Optolong L-eXtreme filter and the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI Mount.  This capture was controlled using an ASI AIR Mini.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software .

NGC 2264 identifies two objects the Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster.  The Cone Nebula shows in the image as a small dark triangle (cone) just to the lower right of center.  The Christmas Tree Cluster is located in the center of the image.  The objects are about 2,400 light years distant in the constellation Monoceros (Unicorn)

This image was taken using a Rokinon 135mm camera lens attached to a ZWO ASI533MC Pro color astrophotography camera.  The advantage of using a relatively small focal length (135mm) lens as opposed to a larger telescope is the wide field.  In this image the target nebula and cluster were captured as well as the surrounding nebula and star fields.

This image is the result of stacking 171 x 300 second exposures for a total integration time of 14 hours and 15 minutes.  The images were taken on the nights of January 31, February 5, and February 6, 2024.  The equipment used for the capture was the Rokinon 135mm lens, the ASI533MC Pro camera, an Optolong L-eXtreme filter and the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI Mount.  This capture was controlled using an ASI AIR Mini.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software .

Thor's Helmet is an emission nebula located about 12,000 light years distant in the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog).  It is about 30 light years across.  The bubble (helmet shape) is caused by an extremely hot central star thought to be in a pre-supernova stage.  The spikes in the helmet are thought to be from an interaction with a nearby molecular cloud. 

This image was taken during the nights of January 29 & 31 and February 5 & 6, 2024.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Player One Anti Halo dual Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 284 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 23 hours and 40minutes. Processing was done with Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL.

IC 2177 The Seagull Nebula is a large region of nebulosity located approximately 3,650 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn) on the border with the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog).  This region is located near the star Sirius the brightest star in the night sky.  

This image was taken over seven nights in January and February of 2024. The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics RedCat 51mm refractor with an ASI183MC Pro camera with the Player One Anti Halo Dual Band  Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM3 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera on a ZWO 30 F4 guidescope was used for guiding. .  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 353 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 29 hours and 35 minutes.

NGC 2264 identifies two objects the Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster.  The Cone Nebula shows in the image as a small dark triangle (cone) just to the lower right of center.  The Christmas Tree Cluster is located in the center of the image.  The objects are about 2,400 light years distant in the constellation Monoceros (Unicorn)

This image was taken using a Rokinon 135mm camera lens attached to a ZWO ASI533MC Pro color astrophotography camera.  The advantage of using a relatively small focal length (135mm) lens as opposed to a larger telescope is the wide field.  In this image the target nebula and cluster were captured as well as the surrounding nebula and star fields.

This image is the result of stacking 171 x 300 second exposures for a total integration time of 14 hours and 15 minutes.  The images were taken on the nights of January 31, February 5, and February 6, 2024.  The equipment used for the capture was the Rokinon 135mm lens, the ASI533MC Pro camera, an Optolong L-eXtreme filter and the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI Mount.  This capture was controlled using an ASI AIR Mini.  The images were processed using Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL software .

The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the shape of a horse's head located 1375 light years distant in the constellation Orion (the Hunter).  The bright star on the left side of the image is Alnitak, the southeastern most star in Orion's belt.  The nebula located to the left of Alnitak in this image is known as the Flame nebula.

I revisited this target to test a new filter the Player One Anti-Halo filter.  Alnitak is well known for producing halos when photographed.  In this image the star still has a halo , but it is much less pronounced than in other images I have taken using different filters.  

This image was taken during the night of December 30, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Player One Anti Halo dual Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 80 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 6 hours and 40minutes. Processing was done with Deep Sky Stacker and SIRIL.

Messier (M) 78 is a reflection  nebula located approximately1,350 light years distant in the constellation Orion (the Hunter).  I revisited this image to test the Antlia Quad band Anti-Light pollution filter.

This image was taken on January 1 & 4, 2024.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with the Antlia Quad band Anti-Light pollution filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 190 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 15 hours and 50 minutes

Messier1,  the Crab Nebula, is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Taurus (the Bull) The nebula is about 6500 light years from Earth.  It is expanding at about 930 miles per second.  At the center of the nebula is a neutron star with a diameter of about 19 miles and a spin rate in excess of 30 times per second.  This is a small target, the image has been cropped for better

viewing.

This image was taken during the nights of December 11, 14, & 19, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 277x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 23 hours and 5 minutes. Processing was done with Deep Sky Stacker, SIRIL, GIMP and AstroSharp.

IC 410 is an emission nebula located approximately 12,00 light years distant in the constellation Auriga (the Charioteer).  The gas structures in the image are lit by radiation from a nearby star cluster.  The "tadpoles" for which the image is named are in the upper right hand corner of the nebula appearing as two gaseous blobs with squiggly tails.

This image was taken on December 4 & 6, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 121x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 10 hours and 5 minutes.

The Soul Nebula  is an emission nebula located approximately7,500 light years distant, in the constellation Cassiopeia (the Queen).  It is located very near the Heart Nebula.

This image was taken on November  28, December 4, and December 6, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics RedCat 51mm refractor with an ASI183MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-eXtreme Dual Band  Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM3 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera on a ZWO 30 F4 guidescope was used for guiding. .  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 145 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 12 hours and 5 minutes.

Imaged November  01, 03, 05, 07 & 08, 2023. The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 161x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 13 hours and 25 minutes.

Imaged October 07, 08, 09, 14, 17, 23, 24, 7 25, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera, with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 121x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 10 hours and 5 minutes.

Imaged November 03, 05, 07, & 08, 2023.   The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics RedCat 51mm refractor with an ASI183MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-eXtreme Dual Band  Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM3 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera on a ZWO 30 F4 guidescope was used for guiding. .  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 145 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 12 hours and 5 minutes.

This is a wide-field view of the bubble nebula region.  The image below is a close up view of the bubble nebula.  Also included in this image are the open star cluster M52 in the upper right hand corner, the nebula NGC7538 located in the lower right hand corner, the lobster claw nebula, sh2-157 on the left hand side of the picture, and another star cluster, NGC 7510 just below the Lobster claw nebula.  

This image was taken on October 30, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics RedCat 51mm refractor with an ASI183MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-eXtreme Dual Band  Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM3 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera on a ZWO 30F4 guidescope was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 68 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 5 hours and 40 minutes.

The North America Nebula  is an emission nebula located approximately 2,600 light years distant, in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan) near the star Deneb. 

This image was taken on November 1, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics RedCat 51mm refractor with an ASI183MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-eXtreme Dual Band  Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM3 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera on a ZWO 30F4 guidescope was used for guiding. .  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 39 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 102 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 8 hours and 30 minutes.

NGC281  is an emission nebula located approximately 9,500 light years distant, in the constellation Cassiopeia (the vain queen, mother of Andromeda).  The nebula gets its Pacman nickname due to it resemblance to the video game character

This image was taken on November 28, 2023.  The equipment used for the capture was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  This was 48 x 300 sec images for a total integration time of 4 hours.

IC1396, the Elephant Trunk Nebula is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust located about 2,400 light years distant in the constellation Cepheus (King of Aethiopia).  

 Rokinon 135mm lens with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  L-eNhance filter, mounted on a Sky Watcher Star Adventurer GTI mount.  A ZWO ASI120mm-S camera on an SVBony 30mm guide scope.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR mini.

M27 is a planetary nebula about 1,360 light years from Earth located in the constellation Vulpecula (Little Fox) .  

William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.   6 hours and 10 minutes total integration

The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula located about 5,000 light years distant in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan).  

The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula located about 5,000 light years distant in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan).  

TWilliam Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  Total integration time of 9 hours and 15 minutes.

DWB111, The Propeller Nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan).   

William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Antlia Dual Band 5nm Narrowband filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture processes were controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus.  Total integration time of 3 hours and 55 minutes.

William Optics RedCat 51 refractor, Canon T6i modified Camera, L-eNhance Filter, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTI mount.

Explore Scientific 127mm Refractor, ASI533MC Pro, L-eNhance Filter, Celestron CGX-L Mount. 1hr 18min.

William Optics FLT91 refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-eNhance filter,  AM5 mount, ASIAIR Plus.   62 x 300sec = 5hrs 10min

William Optics FLT91 refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-eNhance filter, AM5 mount, ASIAIR Plus. 45x 300sec = 3 hrs 45 min

William Optics FLT91 refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-Pro filter,  AM5 mount, ASIAIR Plus.

Celestron C6-A with hyperstar, ASI533MC Pro camera, L- Pro Filter,  Celestron AVX  mount. 40min, 20 sec

ES 127mm refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-Pro Filter, CGX-L Mount. 1hr 30min

Shot this image using an iPhone held to the eyepiece of a 10 inch Dobsonian

Celestron C6-A with hyperstar, ASI533MC Pro camera, L- Pro Filter,  Celestron AVX  mount. 4 hours and  13 minutes.

This image is the result of three nights, March 13, 14,  & 15, 2023, of imaging.  This was the result of  53x 300 second images stacked for a total of  4 hours and 25 minutes integration.  The equipment used was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-Pro filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture process was controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus. The images were processed using SIRIL with STARNET + and GIMP

Bode's Galaxy is a spiral galaxy located roughly 12 million light years distant and the constellation Ursa Major.  The Cigar Galaxy is a starburst galaxy also about 12 million light years distant in the constellation Ursa Major. A starburst galaxy is a galaxy undergoing a high rate of star formation. This can be observed in the cigar galaxy by the red tint (gas turbulence) in the center of the galaxy.  This is thought to be caused by the gravitational interaction with the nearby  (in relative terms) Bode's Galaxy.

M101 is a face on spiral galaxy 21 million light years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major.  Back on May 19th  an amateur astrophotographer, Koichi Itagaki, identified the supernova (exploding star ) SN 2023IXF in the galaxy.  The light from the supernova will remain visible in small telescopes for several months it had already started to fade on June 10th.  I was fortunate to get a break in the cloud cover in early June affording me the opportunity to capture this image.  

Due to the great distance to the galaxy the supernova occurred 21 million years ago, but the light is just reaching us now.  The supernova is expected to have left behind a neutron star or black hole. 

56 x 300 seconds of images taken on the nights of June 8 & 9, 2023. Total integration 4 hours and 40 minutes.  The equipment used was the William Optics FLT 91mm refractor with an ASI533MC Pro camera with an  Optolong L-Pro filter, mounted on a ZWO AM5 strain wave mount.  A ZWO ASI174MM Mini camera on an Off Axis Guider was used for guiding.  The guidance and capture process was controlled using a ZWO ASIAIR Plus. The images were processed using SIRIL with STARNET + and GIMP

April 2 & 3, 2021 ES 80mm Refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-Pro filter, Celestron AVX mount

October 4, 7, 17, 19, 20, & 21, 2023 Rokinon 135mm lens, Canon T6i camera, ISO100, f4, Skyguider Pro mount. 567Frames: 14 hours, 28minutes, and 35 seconds integration

November 23, 2021 Celestron C6-A with hyperstar, ASI533MC Pro camera, AVX mount

April 2 & 3, 2021 ES 80mm Refractor, ASI533MC Pro camera, L-Pro filter, Celestron AVX mount