Your guide to astrophotography

Galaxy

Messier 106 (M106): Adding Hydrogen-Alpha Data to the Galaxy Astrophoto

Situated roughly 23 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, M106 stands as a grand intermediate spiral galaxy. With a diameter exceeding 130,000 light-years, it rivals the size of our Milky Way galaxy.

Despite its grandeur, observing M106 presents a challenge for astrophotographers in the Northern Hemisphere, as it never ascends very high above the horizon. Nevertheless, astrophotographers can capture swirling arms, luminous gas clouds, and a detailed central region.

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May 27, 2024
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M106 - Galaxy in Canes Venatici (RGB+HA)

Galaxy

Messier 95-96 (M95-M96): Creating a Three Panel Astrophoto Mosaic

Nestled within the constellation Leo (the Lion) lies a bright pair of galaxies: M96 and M95.

Messier 96 (on the left), also known as M96 or NGC 3368, is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 31 million light-years away. It is also about the same size as our own Milky Way galaxy.

Messier 95 (on the right), also known as M95 or NGC 3351, is a barred spiral galaxy (notice the central bar structure) about 33 million light years away.

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April 28, 2024
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M95 and M96

Solar System

The Amazing Experience of the 2024 Solar Eclipse

Another total solar eclipse is over and what an experience.

It’s been 7 years since my first encounter with totality during the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. After that event, I was going to try and get into the path again. And luckily, the skies were clear for another amazing experience.

This time, I was better prepared to try and capture the beauty of this spectacle.

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April 17, 2024
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Total Solar Eclipse - Corona - April 8, 2024
Nebula

NGC 7129: How to Photograph a Reflection Nebula in Cepheus

Located roughly 3,300 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, let’s set our sights on a particularly stunning reflection nebula known as NGC 7129. NGC 7129 isn’t your average nebula. Unlike its emission nebula cousins that produce their own light, NGC 7129 reflects the light from a young, energetic star cluster at its heart.

The star cluster within NGC 7129 is an infant in stellar terms. Most of its member stars are estimated to be less than a million years old. These stellar newborns are actively sculpting their surroundings, blasting away at the surrounding gas and dust with their strong stellar winds. This stellar sculpting has formed a cavity within the nebula, giving it a distinctive rosebud-like appearance.

The nebula is faint and small. Imaging this beauty requires a significant amount of time to capture the intricate details.

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March 31, 2024
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NGC 7129 - Reflection Nebula