When I read all the reviews about the new Optolong L-eXtreme filter, every single one said that I had to try the Veil Nebula. It’s getting late in the season for this massive hyrodgen & oxygen rich part of the sky… but I couldn’t pass up my first light night and gave it a shot […]
The Rosette Nebula
First light with the new Optolong L-eXtreme Pro 2″ filter last night, coupled with my RedCat51 250mm telescope. It was a clear, cool night with low humidity and above average seeing conditions… perfect to play catch up and give this toy a whirl. Wow. I can’t believe the detail and contrast I got on the […]
The Heart Nebula with Optolong L-eXtreme Filter
I started last night’s widefield session with the Heart Nebula… a favourite of my neice who has asked for a new canvas for Christmas. With nearly 2.5 hours of data using the new Optolong L-Extreme 2″ filter, I think I’ve definitely improved over my last imaging session! The Heart Nebula is an emission type nebula, […]
Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405 / Caldwell 31)
Bonus Nebula from last nights session! While waiting for the Rosette Nebula to rise above the tree line, I found an interesting nebula nearby in Stellarium and spent about 50 minutes on it. These two nebula don’t interact with each other and are actually quite far apart. The top star cluster is the nameless NGC […]
The Crab Nebula – Messier 1
Imaging telescopes or lenses: Celestron SCT 8” Imaging cameras: ZWO ASI 294MC PRO Mounts: Celestron AVX Guiding telescopes or lenses: Orion 50mm Guidescope Orion 50mm guide scope Guiding cameras: Orion Starshoot Autoguider Focal reducers: Celestron Reducer, 0.63x Dates: Nov. 9, 2020 Frames: 6×240″ Integration: 0.4 hours Avg. Moon age: 23.11 days Avg. Moon phase: 39.87% Full capture details on Astrobin.
M82 – The Cigar Galaxy
I return to the Cigar Galaxy often… an edge on galaxy that shines brightly just off the Big Dipper in the northern sky. With blues forming a background of intricate red flares, it’s one of the more unique galaxies to photograph. Imaging telescopes or lenses: Celestron SCT 8” Imaging cameras: ZWO ASI 294MC PRO Mounts: Celestron AVX Guiding […]
The Pleaides (Messier 45)
As the end of 2020 is in sight, I have a few targets to finish and complete my “Completionist Mode” version of my personal Messier Catalog. Now that the Pleaides (M45) are rising above the tree line, I captured 10 x 4 minute exposures before the top of my Skyshed dome obscured either the guider […]
Triangulum Galaxy Messier 33
After a few hit-or-miss attempts at Mars during the few clear nights we’ve had this fall, I decided to go back to hunting down galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters. Triangulum is a early fall favourite, rising high in the sky while the nights begin to dramatically lengthen. Along with Andromeda, M33 is anticipated to merge […]
Mars Opposition & Close Approach
When I purchased my new Celestron 9.25 EdgeHD and CGX mount in early August, I figured 2 months was plenty of time for it to arrive just in time for Mars opposition. I never have been one for planetary photography (good thing now, trees block them most of the time) but I was keen to […]
The Veil / Filamentary Nebula
I’m winding down my time with my Celestron 8″ SCT as new gear has begun to show up. With the Veil Nebula high in the sky, it’s a great time to shoot this Oxygen (green) and Hydrogen (Red) tendrils of this supernova remnant. Taken over 3 nights, September 20-22th 2020. 28 x 180 second exposures […]