Your guide to astrophotography

Nestled in the constellation Auriga, the Flaming Star Nebula (IC405) isn’t just a celestial object, it’s a photographer’s siren song. Its wispy tendrils glisten under the watchful eye of AE Aurigae, a young, hot star casting its fiery glow upon the molecular cloud. But capturing this cosmic masterpiece on your camera requires more than just pointing your camera and clicking.

The constellation Cygnus has a stellar nursery called the Cocoon Nebula; which looks like a chicken’s face. This reflection/emission nebula is more than just a pretty picture; it’s a laboratory of life, where swirling dust and gas morph into blazing suns.

The Cocoon Nebula, also known as IC5146, Caldwwell 19, SH 2-125, and Barnard 168 is 3,262 light year away and an excellent target for astrophotographers.

During the winter months, many of us immediately image M42 – The Orion Nebula. But Orion contains many other interesting targets, including NGC 2175 – The Monkey Head Nebula. Only 6,350 light years away, the Monkey Head Nebula is bright and easy to photograph, especially with narrowband filters (Hydrogen-Alpha, Sulphur-II, and Oxygen-III).