M 51 - Whirpool Galaxy in LRGB

The Whirlpool Galaxy (also known as Messier 51a, M51a, or NGC 5194) is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. Recently it was estimated to be 23 ± 4 million light-years from the Milky Way Galaxy, but different methods yield distances between 15 and 35 million ly. Messier 51 is one of the best known galaxies in the sky. The galaxy and its companion (NGC 5195) are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may even be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy is also a popular target for professional astronomers, who study it to further understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions.

What was later known as the Whirlpool Galaxy was discovered on October 13, 1773 by Charles Messier, and is designated as M51. Its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, was discovered in 1781 by Pierre Méchain. It was however not until 1845 that the Whirlpool became the first to be recognized as a spiral. This was achieved by Lord Rosse employing a 72-inch (~1.83 m) reflecting telescopewhich he constructed at Birr Castle, Ireland. Sometimes M51 is used to refer to the pair of galaxies, in which case the individual galaxies may be referred to as M51A (NGC 5194) and M51B (NGC 5195).

In 2005 a supernova (SN 2005cs) was observed in the Whirlpool Galaxy, peaking at apparent magnitude 14.
On 31 May 2011 a magnitude 13.5 type II supernova (SN 2011dh) was detected also in M51.


Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 224 min, Lum: 136 min(bin 1x1), R,G,B: 28,28,32 min(bin 1x1)
Temperature: Ambient (11-14C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS5
Date: 9 June 2013
Location: Kithairon Mount, Attica, GR

Timelapse - Greek Astrophotographers in the Field

Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Total Frames: 1200 Pictures
30 Frames per Second
Processing: Avid Studio
Date: February 2013
Place: Ag. Panteleiomon, Attica, GR

IC 1871 Nebula in Ha

The Soul Nebula (Sharpless 2-199, LBN 667) is an emission nebula also in Cassiopeia. Several small open clusters are embedded in the nebula: CR 34, 632, and 634 (in the head) and IC1848 (in the body). The object is more commonly called by the cluster designation IC1848. Small emission nebula IC 1871 is present just left of the top of the head, and small emission nebulae 670 and 669 are just below the lower back area. This complex is the eastern neighbor of IC1805 (Heart Nebula) and the two are often mentioned together as the ''Heart and Soul''

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 2 hours & 40 min in Ha, Bin 1x1
Temperature: Ambient (13-15C), CCD (0C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 20 Sep 2012
Location: Ag. Panteleiomon, Attica, GR

Sh2-132 Nebula in HST palette

Sharpless 2-132 is a very faint emission type nebula on the Cepheus/Lacerta border. It lies at a degree southeast of Epsilon Cep, and has a size of about 40 arc minutes. The large but dim emission nebula Sh 2-132 in Cepheus lies 10,370 light-years away and spans another 272 light-years across.

The star at the center of the image below is the very luminous SAO 34301 (HD 211853, mag 8.99), perhaps more commonly known as WR 153, which along with another O-type star (mag 8.5) are primarily responsible for the excitation and ionization of the hydrogen gas in the area and which represents a relatively rare example of a Wolf-Rayet nebula.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, SII 8nm, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 3 hours & 52 min (Ha: 120 mins Bin 1x1, O3, S2: 56, 56 min Bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (25C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 27 Aug 2011
Location: Tyros, Arcadia, GR

IC 5067 - Pelican Nebula in (L+Ha)RGB

The Pelican Nebula (also known as IC5070 and IC5067[1]) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The gaseous contortions of this emission nebula bear a resemblance to a pelican, giving rise to its name[1]. The Pelican Nebula is located nearby first magnitude star Deneb, and is divided from its more prominent neighbour, the North America Nebula, by a molecular cloud filled with dark dust.

The Pelican is much studied because it has a particularly active mix of star formation and evolving gas clouds. The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming cold gas to hot and causing an ionization front gradually to advance outward. Particularly dense filaments of cold gas are seen to still remain, and among these are found two jets emitted from the Herbig–Haro object 555.[1] Millions of years from now this nebula might no longer be known as the Pelican, as the balance and placement of stars and gas will leave something that appears completely different.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, L, RGB, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 5 hours & 13 min (Ha: 160 mins, L: 57 min, RGB: 32:32:32 min) Bin 1x1
Temperature: Ambient (23 - 27C), CCD (0C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 20 & 21 July 2012
Location: Salamina, GR

M 27 - Dumbbell Nebula in HaO3RGB

The Dumbbell Nebula Messier 27 (M27, NGC 6853) is perhaps the finest planetary nebula in the sky, and was the first planetary nebula ever discovered.

This planetary nebula is certainly the most impressive object of its kind in the sky, as the angular diameter of the luminous body is nearly 6 arc minutes, with a faint halo extensing out to over 15', half the apparent diameter of the Moon (Millikan 1974). 

It is also among the brightest, being at most little less luminous with its estimated apparent visual magnitude 7.4 than the brightest, the Helix Nebula NGC 7293 in Aquarius, with 7.3, which however has a much lower surface brightness because of its larger extension (estimates from Stephen Hynes); it is a bit unusual that this planetary is only little fainter photographically (mag 7.6). The present author (hf) was surprized how fine this object was seen in his 10x50 binoculars under moderately good conditions!

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, RGB, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 6 hours (Ha: 160 mins, O3: 116 min, RGB: 28:28:28 min) Bin 1x1
Temperature: Ambient (23 - 27C), CCD (0C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack 
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 13 & 20 July 2012
Location: Salamina, GR

Ngc 7331 Group of Galaxies in LRGB

NGC 7331 (also known as Caldwell 30) is a spiral galaxy about 40 megalight-years (12 Mpc) away in the constellation Pegasus. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. NGC 7331 is the brightest member of the NGC 7331 Group of galaxies.
The galaxy is similar in size and structure to the galaxy we inhabit, and is often referred to as "the Milky Way's twin", although recent discoveries regarding the structure of the Milky Way may call this similarity into doubt.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 2 hours & 48 min, Lum: 96 min(bin 1x1),R,G,B: 24,24,24 min(bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (25C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 26 August 2011
Location: Tyros, Arcadia, GR

NGC 7023 - Iris Nebula in LRGB

The Iris Nebula is an interesting and beautiful reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Discovered by Herschel in 1794, this object is often mistakenly labeled for its associated open star cluster NGC 7023, which is present in the triangular "top hat" just above center in the image.

The Iris Nebula (LBN 487 / VDB 139) is illuminated by a central hot star named SAO 19158 (aka HD 200775), which is 10 times the mass of our sun. Although not officially designated as an emission nebula, closer examination of the above image will reveal a linear ridge on either side of SAO 19158 that represents HII emission. In addition to this small emission region, there is a much more extensive reflection component comprised of microscopic dust particles that preferentially scatter blue light from the central star. The peripheral regions are comprised of reddish dust that obscures light from background stars.

In the center of the nebula, there are several ruddy-colored wisps and filaments of dust that emit broad band red light, instead of reflecting the more typical blue light of a reflection nebula. These red regions represent extended red emission (ERE), which is a type of phospholuminescence associated with dust particles that are bombared by high energy UV radiation from SAO 19158. Recent investigation of this region has revealed radiation in the near infrared range of the spectrum, thought to be related to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in this region of space.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 3 hours & 36 min, Lum: 128 min(bin 1x1),R,G,B: 28,28,32 min(bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (15C), CCD (-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 29 July 2011
Location: Parnon Mount, Arcadia, GR

M52 Open Cluster in LLRGB

Messier 52 (also known as M 52 or NGC 7654) is an open cluster in the Cassiopeia constellation. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1774. M52 can be seen from Earth with binoculars.
Due to interstellar absorption of light, the distance to M 52 is uncertain, with estimates ranging between 3,000 and 7,000 light years. One study identified 193 probable members of the cluster, with the brightest member being magnitude 11.
Messier 52 is evaluated at about 35 million years old.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 68 min, Lum: 32 min(bin 1x1),R,G,B: 12,12,12 min(bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (22C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 30 August 2011
Location: Tyros, Arcadia,GR

Messier 52 Open Cluster in Wiki

NGC 7635 - Bubble Nebula in HST palette

NGC 7635, also called the Bubble Nebula, Sharpless 162, or Caldwell 11, is a H II region emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. It lies close to the direction of the open cluster Messier 52. The "bubble" is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, 8.7 magnitude young central star, the 15 ± 5 M☉ SAO 20575 (BD+60 2522).

The nebula is near a giant molecular cloud which contains the expansion of the bubble nebula while itself being excited by the hot central star, causing it to glow.It was discovered in 1787 by Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel. The star SAO 20575 or BD+602522 is thought to have a mass of 10-40 Solar masses.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, SII 8nm, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 4 hours & 32 min(Ha: 120 mins, O3, S2: 82,64 min)
Temperature: Ambient (22C), CCD (-3C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 23 Aug 2011
Location: Tyros, Arcadia, GR

NGC 7380 - Wizard Nebula in HST palette

NGC 7380 is an open cluster discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. William Herschel included his sister's discovery in his catalog, and labelled it H VIII.77. It is also known as 142 in the 1959 Sharpless catalog (Sh2-142).
Known as the Wizard Nebula, this object is a reasonably large nebula located in Cepheus.

NGC 7380 is located in the constellation Cepheus about 7,000 light-years from Earth within the Milky Way Galaxy. The star cluster is embedded in a nebula, which spans some 110 light-years. The stars of NGC 7380 have emerged from this star-forming region in the last 5 million years or so, making it a relatively young cluster.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, SII 8nm, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 4 hours & 8 min(Ha: 120 mins, O3, S2: 64,64 min)
Temperature: Ambient (22C), CCD (-3C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 23 Aug 2011
Location: Tyros, Arcadia, GR

NGC 7380 - Wizard Nebula in Wiki

NGC 6888 - Crescent Nebula in HaRGB + O3

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. It is formed by the fast stellar wind from the Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 (HD 192163) colliding with and energizing the slower moving wind ejected by the star when it became a red giant around 400,000 years ago. The result of the collision is a shell and two shock waves, one moving outward and one moving inward. The inward moving shock wave heats the stellar wind to X-ray-emitting temperatures.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, RGB, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Exp. Time: 5 hours & 12 mins (Ha: 150 min, O3: 72 min, R,G,B: 30,30,30 min)
Temperature: Ambient (8C..14C), CCD (-5..-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 13 May 2011 (Ag. Panteleiomon, Attica, GR) & 29 July 2011 (Parnon Mount, Arcadia, GR)

NGC 6888 - Crescent Nebula Wiki

PTF11kly Messier 101 Supernova SN 2011fe

It is my quick effort to catch light from the SN 2011fe. It is 40min Luminace capture with APM Astrograph 107 & Atik 314L. The comparison image was a 3 hours RGB image (which desaturated) since April 2010, with Skywatcher ED80 & QHY8 OSC.

Supernova 2011fe was discovered on August 24, 2011 by the Palomar Transient Factory, a research program run by astronomers at CalTech. Their telescopes caught the explosion very soon after it occurred while they were making routine observations of the galaxy Messier 101 near the Big Dipper (the constellation Ursa Major). Within a few hours of the explosion, the supernova brightened from invisibility to become one of the brightest objects within M101, and has since become even brighter still. It's now nearly a thousand times brighter than when it was first spotted by PTF, and is visible in medium sized back yard telescopes, outshining all of the rest of M101 combined!

An analysis of the light from SN 2011fe shows that it is the type of supernova that originates from a white dwarf, known as a "Type-Ia Supernova". Type-Ia supernovae are very important for cosmology because they can be used to measure distances to the galaxies where they occur. All Type-Ia supernovae give off the same amount of light at their peak brightness, and by measuring the amount of light that we detect, we can measure how far away they must be. We already know the distance to M101 pretty well, but SN 2011fe will allow us to calibrate the relationship between peak brightness and distance better than ever, and will also allow us to study the evolution of this supernova in greater detail than we normally can.


Learn more about PTF11kly Messier 101 Supernova SN 2011fe

NGC 891 Galaxy in LRGB

NGC 891 (also known as Caldwell 23) is an edge-on unbarred spiral galaxy about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. It was discovered by William Herschel on October 6 1784. The galaxy is a member of the NGC 1023 group of galaxies in the Local Supercluster. It has an H II nucleus.

Although this galaxy looks as we think our own galaxy would look like when viewed edge-on, recent high-resolution images of its dusty disk show unusual filamentary. These patterns are extending into the halo of the galaxy, away from its galactic disk. Scientists presume that supernova explosions caused this interstellar dust to be thrown out of the galactic disk toward the halo.But this explosive hypothesis may not be right. It may also be possible that the light pressure from surrounding stars causes this phenomenon

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 3 hours, Lum: 90 min(bin 1x1),R,G,B: 30,30,30 min(bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (15C...23C), CCD (-5C...-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 29 July 2011 & 26 August 2011
Location: Parnon Mount & Tyros,Arcadia,GR

NGC 891 Galaxy in Wiki

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula in (L+Ha)RGB

The Helix Nebula (also known as The Helix, NGC 7293, or Caldwell 63) is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae.

The estimated distance is about 215 parsecs or 700 light-years. It is similar in appearance to the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle. The Helix has often been referred to as the Eye of God on the Internet, since about 2003.

The Helix Nebula is an example of a planetary nebula, or 'planetary' formed at the end of a star's evolution. Gases from the star in the surrounding space appear, from our vantage point, as if we are looking down a helix structure. The remnant central stellar core, known as a planetary nebula nucleus or PNN, is destined to become a white dwarf star. The observed glow of the central star is so energetic that it causes the previously expelled gases to brightly fluoresce.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, Baader L,R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 3.5 hours, Lum: 90 min(bin 1x1), Ha: 60 min(bin 1x1), R,G,B: 30,30,30 min(bin 2x2)
Temperature: Ambient (13C), CCD (-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 30 July 2011
Location: Parnon Mount,Arcadia,GR

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula in Wiki

The Milky Way from Parnon Mount

Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Lens: Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG, working @ 28mm (f/2.8)
Exp time: 20 sec @ ISO 1600
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 30 July 2011
Location: Parnon Mount, Arcadia, GR

IC 1396 - Elephant's Trunk Nebula in HST

IC 1396 - Elephant's Trunk Nebula in 6 filters (SII_Ha_OIII + RGB data)



Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, OIII 8.5nm, SII 8nm, Baader R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 6 hours (Ha: 150 mins, O3, S2: 60,60 min, R,G,B: 30,30,30 min)
Temperature: Ambient (13C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 10 June 2011 & 8 July 2011
Location: Ag. Panteleimon & Grammatiko, Attica, GR

IC 1396 - The Elephant's Trunk Nebula

IC 1396 - Elephant's Trunk Nebula in HaRGB



The Elephant's Trunk nebula is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust in the star cluster IC 1396 – an ionized gas region located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.

The piece of the nebula shown here is the dark, dense globule IC 1396A; it is commonly called the Elephant's Trunk nebula because of its appearance at visible light wavelengths, where there is a dark patch with a bright, sinuous rim.

The bright rim is the surface of the dense cloud that is being illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive star that is just to the west of IC 1396A. The entire IC 1396 region is ionized by the massive star, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays.

The combined action of the light from the massive star ionizing and compressing the rim of the cloud, and the wind from the young stars shifting gas from the center outward lead to very high compression in the Elephant's Trunk nebula. This pressure has triggered the current generation of protostars.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, Baader R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Total Exp. Time: 4 hours, Ha: 150 min (bin 1x1), R,G,B: 30,30,30 min (bin 1x1)
Temperature: Ambient (13C), CCD (-5C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 10 June 2011
Location: Ag. Panteleimon, Attica, GR

NGC 6888 - Crescent Nebula in Ha

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. It is formed by the fast stellar wind from the Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 (HD 192163) colliding with and energizing the slower moving wind ejected by the star when it became a red giant around 400,000 years ago. The result of the collision is a shell and two shock waves, one moving outward and one moving inward. The inward moving shock wave heats the stellar wind to X-ray-emitting temperatures.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader Ha 7nm, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Exp. Time: Ha: 160 mins (bin 1x1)
Temperature: Ambient (8C), CCD (-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 13 May 2011
Location: Ag. Panteleimon, Attica, GR

NGC 6888 - Crescent Nebula Wiki

M81 - Bode's Galaxy in (L+Ha)RGB

Messier 81 (also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Because of its proximity to Earth, its large size, and its active galactic nucleus (which harbors a 70 million M☉ supermassive black hole), Messier 81 is a popular galaxy to study in professional astronomy research. The galaxy's large size and relatively low apparent magnitude (lower magnitude implies higher brightness) also make it a popular target for amateur astronomy observations.

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: NEQ6 Pro with EQ Mod and XBOX Wireless Controller
Camera: ATIK 314L+
Image Scale: 1.91 arcsec/pixel
Filter: Baader UV/IR, Baader Ha 7nm, Baader R,G,B, IDAS LPS
Filter Wheel: Starlight Xpress Motor USB, 7x1.25''
Guide Camera: QHY5 with PHD Guiding and TS UV/IR Block
Guide Scope: Skywatcher Finderscope 8x50
Exp. Time: 4 hours total (Luminance: 2h, Ha: 1h, R,G,B: 20, 20, 20 min (bin 2x2))
Temperature: Ambient (0C), CCD (-10C)
Capture: Nebulosity 2.3.0
Register, Stack: Maxim DL, CCD Stack
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 11 Mar 2011
Location: Ag. Panteleimon, Attica, GR

M81 - Bode's Nebula Wiki