Cigar Galaxy (M82)

M82 is located in Ursa Major near M81. It is about 12 million light years away and is about fie times more luminous than the Milky Way. It is undergoing a very high rate of star formation, so high that it will consume most its star forming gas in less time than the age of the galaxy. Apparently, gravitational tidal forces from its larger neighbour M81 have deformed the galaxy and caused the massive star formation. The image was captured in Tucson in March 2015 - 22 10-minute subs. 

Bode's Galaxy (M81)

M81 is a spiral galaxy located in Ursa Major about 12 million light years away. It has a diameter of 70,000 light years and a mass of 250 billion suns, somewhat heavier than the Milky Way. Image taken in Tucson March 2015 - 26 10-minute subs.

Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster

This image taken at the Chirichua Astronomy Center in the foothills of the Chirichua Mountains southeast of Tucson in January 2015 – 15 10-minute subs. Comparison of the image with the one taken in Tucson (below) shows the impact of city lights. 

Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC2264)

A large open star cluster in Monoceros. It consists of about 80 stars and is embedded in an extensive nebulosity of ionized hydrogen gas. The Cone nebula is on the extreme right. The cluster spans about 20 light years and is about 2,600 light years away. Image taken in Tucson in January 2015 – 15 10-minute subs.

Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

This spiral galaxy is located in Triangulum about 2.8 million light years away. It is the third largest galaxy in our local group after the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies. With an angular diameter of 50,000 light years it is about about half that of the Milky Way. It is estimated to contain about 30 to 40 billion stars. Image taken in Abbotsford in August 2014 - 32 10-minute subs.

IC410

IC410 is a bright emission nebula in Auriga containing the open star cluster NGC1893 and is located just East of IC405. It is about 12,000 light years away.The nebula is shaped by stellar winds and radiation from NGC1893. Image was taken in Tucson in December 2014 - 29 - 10-minute subs. 

Flaming Star Nebula (IC405)

IC405 is an emission nebula in Auriga about 1,500 light years away. It is about 5 light years across. Image was taken in Tucson in November 2014 – 26 10-minute subs.

Swan Nebula (M17)

This image was taken from my deck in Abbotsford on July 12, 2013.  It consists of 9 10-minute images registered and combined in CCDStack and processed in Photoshop CS5.

The Swan Nebula is located in the rich star fields of Sagittarius 5,000 light years away.  It is a close neighbour of M16. Bright but obscured stars, about 20 times more massive than the Sun, are hidden in the nebulousity. Radiation from these stars is ionizing the cloud of hydrogen gas.  The bright central region is the result of light emitted from the hottest gas, mixed with reflected light from the embedded stars.

Trifid Nebula (M20)

This image was taken from my deck in Abbotsford on July 15, 2013.  It consists of 8 10-minute images registered and combined in CCDStack and processed in Photoshop CS5.

The Trifid Nebula is in Sagittarius 5,000 light years away.  It gets its name from its three-lobed appearance, and contains both red emission from ionized hydrogen and blue reflection of star light from dust grains.

Bubble Nebula (C11)

This image was taken from my deck in Abbotsford in August  4 & 7, 2013.  It consists of 27 10-minute images registered and combined in CCDStack and processed in Photoshop CS5.

The Bubble Nebula is in Cassiopeia 11,000 light years away.  It is a planetary nebula visible as a large shell around a central star.  The bubble is about 10 light years across and was created by fierce stellar winds from the hot, massive central star, which has blasted out the structure of glowing gas.

Eagle Nebula (M16)

This image was taken in Abbotsford on July 9th, 2013.  It consists of 7 10-minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5. The guiding was not as good as previous nights and I stopped taking subs earlier than intended. The stars are not as round as I would like. I will realign the mount at the next opportunity and resume imaging.  The image is still worth posting, despite the poorer than normal guiding.

The Eagle Nebula is in Serpens (in the south-eastern sky) about 6,000 light years away.  The center of the nebula is an area of active star formation.  The slightly darker structures in the center are the "Pillars of Creation" made famous by a 1995 image taken from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Pelican Nebula

This image was taken on July 6th & 8th 2013 from my back deck in Abbotsford. The image consists of 18 10-minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.

The Pelican Nebula is in Cygnus about 2,000 light years away. Dark dust clouds help define the Pelican' eye and long bill, while a bright front of ionized hydrogen gas suggests the curved head and neck.

Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC1396)

This image was taken on July 2nd & 3rd in Abbotsford.  A somewhat rare occurrence here: four clear dark nights in a row. The image consists of 18 15-minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.

The Elephant Trunk (upper right) is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust in Cepheus about 3,000 light years away.

Cocoon Nebula (C19)

This image was taken from my back deck in Abbotsford on June 30th and July 1st 2013.  It consists of 18 15-minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.

The Cocoon Nebula is in Cygnus about 3,300 light years away.

Cave Nebula (C9)

This image was taken from my back deck in Abbotsford in June 2013. It consists of a 14 15-minute subs, registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.

The Cave Nebula is in Cepheus about 2,700 light years away.

Iris Nebula (C4)

This image was taken from my back deck in Abbotsford in June 2013.  It consists of 5, 10 and 15 minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.  The total exposure time was four hours.

The Iris nebula is a reflection nebula in Cepheus about 1,400 light years away. the blue colour is caused by starlight reflected from dust grains.

Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)

This image was taken from my back deck in Abbotsford in May 2013. It consists of 22 10-minute subs, registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5.

The Pinwheel Galaxy is in Ursa Major about 22 million light years away.

Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

This image was taken from my back deck in Abbotsford in May 2013.  It consists of 18 10-minute subs registered and combined in CCDStack and finished in Photoshop CS5. The Whirlpool Galaxy is in Canes Venactici about 24 million light years away.

Imaging Setup

This is my imaging setup on my back deck in Abbotsford. I have some new components added in the past year. The setup is as follows:

iEQ45 mount
Stellarvue 115 triplet imaging scope with Atik 460ex CCD camera (1.4 arc sec/pixel)
Stellarvue 70mm guide scope with QHY5 camera (2.6 arc sec/pixel)

I acquire the images using Nebulosity 2 and guide using PHD.  The raw images are registered and combined in CCDStack, and then finished in Photoshop CS5. My laptop operating system is Microsoft 7.

Thor's Helmet (NGC 2359)

This image was taken from my observatory in Tucson in March 2013. It is a stack of 20 15-minute subs, ccombined in CCDStack and processed in Photoshop CS5.

Thor's Helmet is in Canis Major about 1,800 light years away. It is similar in structure to the Bubble nebula and is formed by a solar wind from its central star. Its diameter is about 30 light years.

Bubble Nebula & M52

I haven't posted an image for some time.  I have been taking images and will try to make more regular posts for those interested.

The above image was taken from my observing site in Tucson in March 2013.  It consists of a stack of 14 15-minute subs, combined in CCDStack and processed in Photoshop CS5. The Bubble Nebula is in Cassiopeia about 1,400 light years away. The bubble was created by a fierce solar wind from the hot central star. M52 is the open cluster of stars in the lower right corner.  It is 4,600 light years away.

M101 Super Nova

This image of M101 was taken at the Loon Lake dark-sky sight on Sept. 2nd and 3rd by Chuck Webb, Walter Davies and me.  The super nova is the bright star-like object in the 8 o'clock position on the outer edge of the galaxy. For us this was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity.  The super nova was in its 11th day of its existence, close to its brightest moment.


It is extremely rare that a super nova would occur in a galaxy that is close enough to be imaged by amateur equipment.  And for it to have occurred 24 million light years and 11 days before we were to be at Loon Lake makes even more remarkable.  As I post this, in a matter of days super nova will dim and not be visible.  The timing couldn't have been better.

Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396)

This image of the Elephant Trunk Nebula is a stack of 61 4-minute exposures taken over two nights in Abbotsford. IC 1396 is a large open star cluster in Cepheus with a faint nebulous background.  The bright star near the bottom of the image is the triple Struve 2819.  The Elephant Trunk is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within IC 1396 - outlined in red in the top middle of the image. 

Pelican Nebula (IC 5070)

This image of the Pelican Nebula is a stack of 67 4-minute exposures taken over two nights in Abbotsford.  The nebula is a large emission nebula which resembles a pelican in shape.  It is located in Cygnus and is 2,000 light years away.

Eastern Veil Nebula (NGC 6995)

This image of the Eastern Veil Nebula was taken from my deck in Abbotsford and consists of a stack of 60 4-minute exposures taken over two successive nights.  The Eastern and Western Veil Nebulae are remnants of a supernova explosion between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago.  They are located in Cygnus and are about 2600 light years from Earth.

Western Veil Nebula (NGC 6960)

This image of the Veil Nebula was taken over two nights from my back deck in Abbotsford.  It is a stack of 46 4-minute exposures.  The Veil Nebula is located in the constellation Cygnus and is about 2,600 light years from Earth.

Black Eye Galaxy (M64)

This image consists of 40 4-minute exposures taken from my deck in Abbotsford.  M64 is a spiral galaxy located in Coma Berenices and is 24 million ly from Earth.  It derives its name from the dark dust lane to the right of its center.  

Black Eye Galaxy (M64)

Markarian's Chain

This image was taken in Tucson in March and consists of 30 4-minute exposures.  There are nine galaxies in this image which form part of the Virgo cluster.  Markarian's Chain is 60 million light years from Earth.  The brightest galaxy in the center is M86, the galaxy to the right is M84, The two galaxies in the upper right are The Eyes (NGC 4438 and 4435).

Bode's Galaxy (M81) & Cigar Galaxy (M82)

This image was taken in Tucson in March and  consists of 85 4-minute exposures.  These galaxies are located in Ursa Major about 12 million light years from Earth.  M81 is the spiral galaxy to the right.

M3 Globular Cluster

This image of M3 consists of a stack of 18 4-minute exposures taken on March 5th at the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex.  CAC is south east of Tucson in the foothills of the Chiricahua range (31 deg 52 min N; 109 deg 31 min W; elevation 4,800 ft).  M3 is located in Canes Venatici and is about 34 kly from Earth.  It is one of the brightest globulars in the northern sky.

Heart Nebula (IC 1805)

This image was taken on Jan. 26 & 29 in Tucson and consists of 47 4-minute exposures.  The Heart nebula is located in Cassiopeia and is 7,500 ly from Earth.  The open cluster Melotte 15 lies at the nebula centre and its radiation drives the nebula's colour.

Rosette Nebula & Open Cluster (NGC 2237 & 2244)

This image consists of 25 4-minute exposures taken in Tucson on Jan. 14th.  The Rosette is a bright nebula located in the constellation Monoceros.  The nebula surrounds an open cluster of hot, young stars (centre of image).  It is 5,500 ly from Earth.   

Orion Nebula (M42)

This image consists of 25 4-minute exposures and was taken in Tucson on Jan. 12th.  This is another image captured last January and shown in an earlier post.  As I gain more experience with Photoshop (in this case CS5) I am finding that I can stretch the image to a finished form without introducing noise.  I also note this image was captured from a city lot and the Badder UHC filter removes any light pollution effects.    

Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) & Horsehead Nebula

This image consists of 25 4-minute exposures taken in Tucson on Jan. 10.  This was one of the first images I shot last year.  The above image is less noisy than my first image.  The Flame nebula is to the left of the bright star Alnitak (the left-most star in Orion's belt).  It is about 900 ly from Earth and is part of the Orion molecular complex and includes the Horsehead nebula to the right of Alnitak. 

Crab Nebula (M1)

This image was taken on Dec. 25 in Tucson and consists of a stack of 30 4-minute exposures.  The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant and is located in the constellation Taurus and is 6,200 ly from Earth.  It was first observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 A.D.  I posted an image of M1 in an earlier post - Dec. 2090 - one of the first images I took but didn't have enough exposure time to reveal its detail.

Lunar Eclipse December 20, 2010

The above eclipse sequence was shot last night in Tucson between 11:20 pm and 12:50 am.  Each image is a single shot: the first four with an exposure time of 0.01 sec. and the last with 6 sec.  Unfortunately there were clouds and the moon was slipping in and out of the cloud cover.  The first image was taken just prior to the Moon entering the Earth's shadow; in the last image the Moon is fully within the shadow.  It wasn't a perfect night for imaging but the progression of the eclipse is clear.

NGC 1893/IC 410

This image was taken on December 13 in Tucson and consists of 20 4-minute exposures.  NGC 1893 is the open cluster in the middle of the image.  It is embedded in IC 410 which is a emission nebula.  They are located in the constellation Auriga, near the Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405).

M33 (Triangulum Galaxy)

This image was taken in Abbotsford in October and consists of 44 4 minute exposures.  The Triangulum Galaxy is located in Trangulum constellation and is about 2.8 million ly away.  It is the third largest galaxy in the Local Group after the nearby Andromeda Galaxy and our own Milky Way.  It was catalogued by Charles Messier in 1764.

M45 (Pleiades)

This image was taken in Abbotsford during September.  It consists of 20 4-minute exposures.  The Pleiades (aka The Seven Sisters) is an open cluster located in the constellation Taurus.  The main stars are visible to the naked eye.

Flaming Star Nebula (IC405)

The Flaming Star nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga.  The image consists of 53 4-minute exposures taken in Tucson on Dec 1, 9, 12.  It is located about 1,500 ly away and is about 5 ly across.

M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)

This image consists of 63 4-minute exposures (stacked using Deep Sky Stacker) taken on Aug. 11, 13 and 14 from my back deck in Abbotsford.


Andromeda is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way, but is still 2.5 million ly distant. Is apparent size is 190' x 60' and completely fills the camera's field of view. The Spitzer space telescope revealed that the galaxy contains one trillion stars, more than the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.  As can be seen it is a spiral galaxy and is more than 220,000 ly across.  

M20 (Trifid Nebula)

This image consists of 28 4-minute exposures (dark master subtracted) taken on July 13th and 14th in Abbotsford.


The Trifid nebula is an active stellar nursery located in Sagittarius just above the Lagoon nebula.  It derives its name from its three-lobed appearance.  The red regions - emissions from excited hydrogen - are separated by dark dust lanes which block the light in the visible range.  Just above the red lobes there is a faint blue region which is caused by star light reflected from clouds of dust.  Its distance is estimated at 5,200 ly.


The Spitzer Space Telescope discovered 30 embryonic stars and 120 newborn stars not seen in visible light images.

M17 (Omega Nebula)

This image consists of 35 4-minute exposures (dark master subtracted) taken on July 7th and 13th in Abbotsford.


The Omega nebula is located in Sagittarius above the Eagle nebula.  The red areas are hot hydrogen gas excited by radiation from nearby hot stars which have just formed within the nebula.  The nebula contains a large amount of dark obscuring material - giving rise to its distinctive shape - which is heated by hidden young stars and visible in infrared wavelengths.  Its distance is estimated at 5,000 ly.  

M16 (Eagle Nebula)

This images consists of 35 4-minute exposures (with a master dark subtracted) taken on July 9th and 10th.


The Eagle Nebula is located in Serpens, just north of the Lagoon Nebula.  Like the Lagoon it is an active star-forming region.  It is a giant cloud of intersellar gas and dust which is caused to shine by emission light excited by the high-energy radiation emitted by its hot young stars.  Its distance is estimated at 5,000 ly.

M8 (Lagoon Nebula)

This image consists of 39 4-minute exposures (with a master dark subtracted) taken on July 8 and 16, 2010 at Plateau Observatory.

M8 is star-forming region in Sagittarius with an embedded open cluster.  Its distance is estimated at 5,200 ly.  Charles Messier cataloged it in 1764.