The Dark Side Observatory
Welcome to the Dark Side Observatory in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, USA. The Dark Side Observatory is the personal observatory of Tom and Jane Wildoner. It was constructed in 2017 and continues to be modified as time permits. The links below present some of our images, clicking on an image will open a new window with the full resolution. IMAGE USE: We have a liberal policy in the use of our images, you may share/use the image as long as the image is not edited in any way and credit is given to Tom and Jane Wildoner, The Dark Side Observatory.
Questions or comments can be addressed to thedarksideobservatory@gmail.com
RELEASE DATE: 26 January 2021
NGC 6888 Crescent Nebula Region
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 48 x 300 second (4 hours) exposures with dark frames, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: September 20, 2020 and November 4th and 5th, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 23 January 2021
Open Cluster M35 in Gemini
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 30 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 16, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 22 January 2021
The Moon - January 21, 2021
Tech Specs: Meade 12" LX90, Antares Focal Reducer, Celestron CGEM-DX Mount, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro camera, best 15% of 1000 images, unguided, processed in Autostakkert and Registax. Image date: January 21, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 19 January 2021
The Cocoon Nebula - IC 5146
Image taken with a 98% illuminated moon.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 48 x 300 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library), 2" Optolong L-eNhance filter, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 28, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
All equipment used to capture this image can be purchased from Agena AstroProducts (www.agenaastro.com).
RELEASE DATE: 15 January 2021
NGC 7380 The Wizard Nebula
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 36 x 300 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library), 2" Optolong L-eNhance filter, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: December 7, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
All equipment used to capture this image can be purchased from Agena AstroProducts (www.agenaastro.com).
RELEASE DATE: 12 January 2021
Open Cluster NGC 1245
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 20 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library and flats taken the next morning), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: December 6, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 10 January 2021
Orion Breaking Through the Clouds
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 3200, 20 seconds, f/4, 17mm. Image date: November 4, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 08 January 2021
IC 5070 - The Pelican Nebula
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second (2 hours) exposures with dark frames, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: November 4, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 05 January 2021
Open Cluster NGC 1193
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 20 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library and flats taken the next morning), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: December 6, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 02 January 2021
Rosette Nebula - Sharpless 275
Imaged under an 89% illuminated moon.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 48 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: November 3, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 30 December 2020
Lunar Halo
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, tripod mounted, Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM lens, ISO 1000, 1.6 second exposure at f/4 and 19mm. Image date: December 29, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day (AAPOD2) for January 17, 2021.
RELEASE DATE: 29 December 2020
NGC 457 - The Owl Cluster
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 20 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library and flats taken the next morning), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 December 2020
The Andromeda Galaxy - Messier 31 (M31)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, each panel is 60 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 9th to the 13th, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 December 2020
The Great Conjunction
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 1250, 2.5 seconds at 90mm and f/2.8. Image date: December 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 December 2020
NGC 7789 and Rho Cassiopeiae
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 20 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library and flats taken the next morning), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 18 December 2020
The Pacman Nebula - NGC 281/Sh2-184
This was a test image adding 2.5 hours of data under an 89% illuminated moon to an existing stack of 2 hours of data collected back in September.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 30 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: September 19, 2020 (2 hours) and November 3, 2020 (2.5 hours). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 14 December 2020
Bubble Nebula Region
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 4 hours total using the Optolong L-eNhance filter, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: October 13 and November 3, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 11 December 2020
Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 3200, 8 seconds at 70mm and f/2.8. Clouds added a natural halo in this image. Image date: December 11, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 8 December 2020
Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 1250, 6 seconds at 70mm and f/2.8. Halo and spikes added with StarSpikes Pro v4. Image date: December 8, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 7 December 2020
The Perseus Double Cluster
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 80 x 60 seconds, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: November 8, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 4 December 2020
The Triangulum Galaxy - Messier 33
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 129 x 60 second exposures (calibrated with darks from the library and flats taken the next morning), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software, processed in PixInsight. Image date: November 13 and November 16, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 1 December 2020
The Pleiades - M45
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, 8 hours total including 4 hours using the Optolong L-eNhance filter, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: November 8, 2020 and September 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Selected for FLICKR EXPLORE, top 500 photos for December 1, 2020.
RELEASE DATE: 28 November 2020
Sunspot AR2786
RELEASE DATE: 26 November 2020
The Jellyfish Nebula - IC443
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 30 x 300 second (2.5 hours) exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: October 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 November 2020
The Heart Nebula - IC1805
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second (2 hours) exposures combined with 12 x 300 (1 hour) second exposures from 2019, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: October 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 18 November 2020
The Soul Nebula - IC1848
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second (2 hours) exposures combined with 12 x 300 (1 hour) second exposures from 2019, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: October 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 15 November 2020
Flaming Star Nebula - IC405
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second (2 hours) exposures with dark frames, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: October 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 12 November 2020
The Crescent Nebula - NGC 6888
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -10C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 56 x 300 second (4 hours and 40 minutes) exposures with dark frames, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: September 20, 2020 and November 4, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 9 November 2020
Galaxy NGC 1023 in Perseus
NGC 1023 was discovered by William Herschel in 1786. If you look close you can see a small companion on the right-hand side, this is designated as PGC 10139 (also referred to as NGC 1023A because of its possible connection to the main galaxy). It is a magnitude 13.6 irregular galaxy. It is also cataloged in the ARP Atlas (Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies) as ARP 135.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 (at f/10), ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 108 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 18, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 6 November 2020
Planetary Nebula NGC 6765
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 (f/10), ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 54x60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: October 8, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 2 November 2020
The Ghost of Cassiopeia - Widefield
These nebulae are a combination of emission and reflection, they are located about 610 light years from Earth and are about 10 light years across. Gamma Cassiopeia provides the radiation to light up this area of dust and gas, eventually dissipating the area.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at -5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 36 x 300 second (3 hours) exposures with dark frames, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 Beta software. Image date: September 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 29 October 2020
Stephen's Quintet Galaxies
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 88x60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: August 10, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 24 October 2020
Emission Nebula IC 1396
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 32 x 300 seconds (2hr40min), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: September 19th and 20th, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 20 October 2020
NGC 7331 and the Deer Lick Group
The name of the group was reportedly given by Tomm Lorenzin, author of "1000+ The Amateur Astronomers' Field Guide to Deep Sky Observing". This name was given in honor of the Deer Lick Gap in the mountains of North Carolina where he observed and had an especially fine view of this group of galaxies.
NGC 7331 is about 40 million light years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.4.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 (at f/10), ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 108 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 18, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 16 October 2020
ARP 278 Interacting Galaxies
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 86x60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: August 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 12 October 2020
The California Nebula - NGC1499
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 42 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: September 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 10 October 2020
The Planet Mars
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, unguided. Captured using SharpCap v3.2 (64 bit), processed in Autostakkert and Registax. Image date: October 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 8 October 2020
The Pacman Nebula - NGC 281
** An H II region is a large, low-density cloud of partially ionized gas in which star formation has recently taken place.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 30 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: September 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 3 October 2020
ARP 86 Interacting Galaxies
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 81x60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: August 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 30 September 2020
Messier 1 - The Crab Nebula in Taurus
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 (at f/10), ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 161 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 18, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 27 September 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 2
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 21 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 24 September 2020
Elephant Trunk Nebula
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 32 x 300 seconds (2hr40min), guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro running v1.5 software, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: September 19th and 20th, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 September 2020
Planetary Nebula NGC 40
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 142 mixed 1-second, 5-second, and 10-second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: August 16, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 17 September 2020
Messier 15 in Pegasus
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 27 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 14 September 2020
Globular Cluster NGC 6426
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 30 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: July 20, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 7 September 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 107
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 15 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: July 20, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 4 September 2020
Messier 97 - The Owl Nebula
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 60 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 15, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 29 August 2020
Messier 88 - A Spiral Galaxy to Envy
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 60 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 26, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 August 2020
The Moon - August 25, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, three panels, best 20% of 300 frames, unguided. Captured using SharpCap v3.2, processed in AutoStakkert, stitched in Microsoft Image Composite Editor. Image date: August 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 25 August 2020
The Moon - August 24, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, three panels, best 20% of 300 frames, unguided. Captured using SharpCap v3.2, processed in AutoStakkert, stitched in Microsoft Image Composite Editor. Image date: August 24, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Selected for FLICKR EXPLORE 8/26/2020 top 500 photos.
RELEASE DATE: 23 August 2020
Galaxy Messier 85 (M85)
Constellation: Coma BerenicesRight ascension: 12h 25m 24.0s Declination: +18°11’28” Distance: 60 million light years (18.5 megaparsecs) Number of stars: 400 billionApparent magnitude: +10.0Apparent dimensions: 7′.1 x 5′.5Radius: 62,500 light years
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 58 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 26, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 16 August 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 71 (M71)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 29 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 13 August 2020
Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 2903
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 60 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 10 August 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 14 (M14)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 14 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 7 August 2020
Fireworks Galaxy NGC 6946
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 59 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: June 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 2 August 2020
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) - July 31, 2020
Tech Specs: ZWO ASI071mc-pro, Williams Optics REDCAT51, 29 x 60 seconds with dark and flat frames. Stacked in DSS and processed in PixInsight. Image Date: July 31, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 31 July 2020
Messier 27 – The Dumbbell Nebula
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 58 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 27 July 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 12 in the Constellation Ophiuchus
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 20 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 23 July 2020
Trifid and Lagoon Nebula
The Askar 72mm is available through AgenaAstro (www.agenaastro.com).
Tech Specs: Equipment listed above, 25 x 300 seconds with dark frames. Stacked in DSS processed using PixInsight and ImagesPlus, cropped and adjusted using Adobe Lightroom. Image Date: July 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 18 July 2020
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) - July 17, 2020
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 400, 6 seconds, f/2.8, 70mm. Image Date: July 17, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 15 July 2020
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) - July 14, 2020
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Williams Optics REDCAT on an iOptron SkyTracker mount (1st Gen). ISO 400, 27 x 20 seconds with darks, bias and flat frames. Stacked in DSS and processed in PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image Date: July 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 11 July 2020
Messier 13 Hercules Cluster
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 27 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 8 July 2020
Galaxy Messier 94
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 53 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 15, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 5 July 2020
The Surfboard Galaxy M108
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 55 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 3 July 2020
Solar Prominence - July 2, 2020
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat 51, ZWO ASI290MC, Daystar Quark Chromosphere + ZWO 2" UV/IR filter, SharpCap, best 25% of 5k frames, AutoStakkert, Registax. Image date: 2 July 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory in Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 30 June 2020
The Spindle Galaxy Messier 102
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 57 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 June 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 53 (M53)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 16 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 22 June 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 10 (M10)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 20 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 19 June 2020
Spiral Galaxy Messier 99
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 49 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 16 June 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 5 (M5)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 30 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 12 June 2020
Galaxy Messier 100 (M100)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 55 x 60 second exposures, BIN2, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 9 June 2020
Sunspot AR2765 - June 9, 2020
Tech Specs: iOptron ZEQ25GT mount, Williams Optics Redcat51, ZWO ASI290MC, Daystar Quark Chromosphere + Daystar 2" UV/IR filter. Best 25% of 2500 frames captured using Sharpcap Pro. Image date: June 9, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 8 June 2020
M63 - The Sunflower Galaxy
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 60 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 15, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 5 June 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 92
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 19 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 19, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 3 June 2020
The Moon - May 31, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 25% of 10,000 frames, unguided. Captured using SharpCap v3.2, edited with Registax and PixInsight. Image date: May 31, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 31 May 2020
Supernova SN2020fqv in Galaxy NGC 4568
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 44 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 28 May 2020
Supernova SN2020hvf in Galaxy NGC 3643
From Wikipedia: A type Ia supernova (read "type one-a") is a type of supernova that occurs in binary systems (two stars orbiting one another) in which one of the stars is a white dwarf. The other star can be anything from a giant star to an even smaller white dwarf.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 44 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 May 2020
Supernova SN2020hvp in Galaxy NGC 6118
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 45 x 60 second exposures (Gain 200, Offset 65, Temp 5-degrees F), guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 25, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 25 May 2020
Galaxy NGC 4274
NGC 4274 is characterized by its overlapping outer arms, forming a ring structure. The inner arms begin near the edge of the bulge and they are bright and dusty, with dust lanes that more prominent at the near side. Outside the near-ring a set of fainter outer arms. These outer arms also form a ring. A third rings exists near the nucleus.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 60 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 23 May 2020
Solar Halo
EarthSky.org states that, “That’s why, like rainbows, halos around the sun – or moon – are personal. Everyone sees their own particular halo, made by their own particular ice crystals, which are different from the ice crystals making the halo of the person standing next to you.” (ref: https://earthsky.org/space/what-makes-a-halo-around-the-moon).
Tech Specs: Apple iPhone X. Date: 19 May 2020. Location: Lehigh Gorge State Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 May 2020
Crescent Venus - 6%
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 10% of 5,000 frames, UV/IR filter, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro, stacked in Autostakkert, processed in Registax. Image date: May 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 20 May 2020
The UFO Galaxy NGC 2683
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 60 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 17 May 2020
Changing Face of Venus
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, UV/IR filter, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro, stacked in Autostakkert, processed in Registax. Image date(s): April 28 to May 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 15 May 2020
SN 2020jfo in Messier 61
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 55 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: May 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
AAPOD2 Picture of the Day for May 17, 2020
RELEASE DATE: 14 May 2020
Venus - May 13, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 10% of 2,000 frames, UV/IR filter, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro, stacked in Autostakkert, processed in Registax. Image date: May 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 13 May 2020
Globular Cluster Messier 3
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 39 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 10 May 2020
The Whirlpool Galaxy Messier 51
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 90 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: April 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 7 May 2020
Galaxy Messier 65 in Leo
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 60 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 4 May 2020
Venus in the West
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 10% of 10,000 frames, UV/IR filter, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro. Image date: May 3, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 2 May 2020
Galaxy Messier 66 in Leo
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 57 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 29 Apr 2020
Bright Venus in the Western Skies
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 25% of 10,000 frames, UV/IR filter, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro. Image date: April 28, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 28 Apr 2020
NGC 2261 - Hubble’s Variable Nebula
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -20C, 15 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 25 Apr 2020
Galaxy NGC 2841 in Ursa Major
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (stock), 60 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 23 Apr 2020
Lyrid Meteor Shower
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Lensbaby Fisheye Lens, tripod mounted, unguided, controlled with BackYardEOS software platform for automated 30-second images all night. Date: April 21, 2020 Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Image featured on EarthSky.org
RELEASE DATE: 22 Apr 2020
Galaxy Messier 106 (M106) in Canes Venatici
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 60 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, Offset 65, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 19 Apr 2020
The Horsehead Nebula
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, Optolong L-eNhance 2″ filter, 12 x 300 seconds, Gain 200, running at -25C. Image Date: January 22, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, Pennsylvania, USA.
Wide-angle view showing the Horsehead Nebula, belt of Orion and the Orion Nebula, HERE.
Full resolution of today’s image can be found on our FLICKR page.
RELEASE DATE: 6 Apr 2020
The Orion Nebula
This is probably one of the most photographed nebula in the sky. Objects in this view include M42 (Orion Nebula), M43 (de Mairan’s Nebula), NGC 1977 (The Running Man Nebula), NGC 1975 and NGC 1973.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, Optolong L-eNhance 2″ filter, 24 x 300 seconds, Gain 200, running at -25C. Image Date: January 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, Pennsylvani, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 1 Apr 2020
Galaxy NGC 3184 in Ursa Major
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D, 60 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using BYE. Image date: February 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 Mar 2020
Messier 109 – A Barred Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D (unmod), 131 x 60 second exposures, ISO3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using BYE and processed using PixInsight. Image date: February 19, 2020 and data from 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 22 Mar 2020
Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) – March 21, 2020
Technical Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 14 x 60 second exposures, Gain 200, Temp -5C, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SGP v3.1 and processed in DeepSkyStacker. Image date: March 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 Mar 2020
Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118)
Tech Specs: Williams Optic’s Redcat 51, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -10C, 30 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 29, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 17 Mar 2020
The Eskimo Nebula – NGC 2392
It is interesting to compare the same image taken last year using my stock Canon 6D with the image taken using the ASI071, what a difference in the internal details and colors of this planetary nebula, I’ll share the comparison later.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, 24 x 10 second exposures, Gain 200, Temp -3C, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SGP v3.1. Image date: February 28, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 14 Mar 2020
Open Cluster NGC 1664 in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 15, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 11 Mar 2020
Messier 82 - Starburst Galaxy in Ursa Major
I image M82 every season, it became a favorite subject of mine ever since the awesome Supernova (SN2014J) in 2014. You can view a few images of that supernova at this link: https://flic.kr/p/jT5nYp
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D, 90 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using BYE. Image date: February 19, 2020 and March 12, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 8 Mar 2020
The Moon - March 7, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 (at f/10), ZWO ASI071mc-Pro, unguided. Captured using SharpCap Pro v3.2, stacked in Autostakkert, mosaic pieced together using Microsoft ICE. Image date: March 7, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 6 Mar 2020
Sirius and the Pup
The snapshot shown was taken from inside SharpCap (v3.2) using a GAIN of 109 and exposure setting of 0.986 seconds. To help confirm this was the companion to Sirius, the camera was rotate to make sure the Pup rotated with the camera.
Using the CCD Calculator tool from Astronomy Tools (https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd), the resolution of the photograph was calculated to be 0.2"/pixel (using a 2.9 um CCD pixel size and a 3,048mm focal length). Measuring the pixel distance from the center of Sirius A to what I believe is Sirius B shows a calculated distance of 12.6 arc seconds, which is close to the predicted 11.193 separation provided by Stella Doppie.
Additional details including a video can be found at this link:https://sites.google.com/view/thedarksideobservatory/deep-sky-astrophotography/doublebinary-stars/sirius-and-the-pup
Tech Specs for all images and video: Meade 12” LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC camera. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: March 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 3 Mar 2020
Venus in the Evening Sky
Tech Specs: Meade 12" LX-90, ZWO ASI290MC, best 25% of 5,000 frames, captured with SharpCap Pro v3.2 at 800 x 600 resolution. Image date: March 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 1 Mar 2020
The Dog Star and the Little Beehive Cluster
Located 4-degrees south of Sirius is the open cluster Messier 41 (M41). M41 has an apparent magnitude of 4.5 and is about 2,300 light years from Earth. M41 is also referred to as the Little Beehive Cluster, but I can’t find the exact reference. M41 was mentioned by Aristotle about 325 B.C. as one of the mysterious “cloudy spots” then known in the sky. (REF: Robert Burnham Jr., Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, 1978).
Tech Specs: Williams Optic Redcat 51, iOptron ZEQ25 mount, Canon 6D, unguided, 10 x 60 second exposures, ISO 3200. Captured using BYE, processed in ImagesPlus. Image date: February 14, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 27 Feb 2020
Messier 81 - Bode's Galaxy in Ursa Major
Messier 81 is the largest galaxy in the M81 Group, a group of 34 galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major. At approximately 11.8 million light years from the Earth, it makes this group and the Local Group, containing the Milky Way, relative neighbors in the Virgo Supercluster. (Wikipedia)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Canon 6D camera, Canon 6D, 114 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using BYE. Image date: February 19, 2020 and March 12, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Image selected as the AgenaAstro Feature Friday image, February 28, 2020.
RELEASE DATE: 24 Feb 2020
Open Cluster Messier 50 (M50)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 7 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 21 Feb 2020
Open Cluster Messier 47 (M47)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 7 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 12 Feb 2020
Open Cluster Messier 46 (M46)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 7 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 21, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 6 Feb 2020
Clavius Crater - February 3, 2020
Tech Specs: Meade 12" LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI290MC, best 25% of 2,500 frames. Captured using SharpCap v3.2 and processed in Autostakkert! 3.0.14. Image date: February 3, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 2 Feb 2020
Open Cluster NGC 2141 in Orion
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 31 Jan 2020
Perseus Double Cluster and Comet PanSTARRS (C/2017 T2)
Tech Specs: Williams Optic Redcat 51, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -10C, 30 x 120 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 29, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
FLICKR Explore Photo of the Day for January 31, 2020!
RELEASE DATE: 29 Jan 2020
Open Cluster NGC 2194 in Orion
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 Jan 2020
Open Cluster NGC 2169 in Orion
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 22 Jan 2020
Imaging the Night Sky
Tech Specs: Canon 6D, Samyang 14 mm lens, ISO 3200, 13 seconds. Image Date: 20 Jan 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 20 Jan 2020
Open Cluster NGC 2281 in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 18 Jan 2020
The Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 15 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope, ZWO UV/IR cut filter. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: December 22, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 14 Jan 2020
Venus in the Western Sky
Tech Specs: Canon 6D + Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM lens + tripod. ISO 3200, 4 seconds, f/4, 40mm. Image date: January 13, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 13 Jan 2020
Globular Cluster NGC 2419 in Lynx
You can also make out the galaxy NGC 2424, a barred spiral galaxy with a magnitude of 12.6. The view is dominated by the red giant star HD61294 in the lower right, magnitude 5.75, and 41 times larger than our Sun.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 30 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: December 20, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 11 Jan 2020
Open Cluster NGC 2126 in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 07 Jan 2020
Open Cluster Messier 37 (M37) in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: December 20, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 05 Jan 2020
The Flaming Star and Tadpole Nebula
From Wikipedia: IC405 is an emission and reflection nebula in the constellation Auriga, surrounding the bluish star AE Aurigae. It shines at magnitude +6.0.
IC410 is a faint and dusty emission nebula of more than 100 light-years across approximately 12,000 light-years away from Earth in the northern constellation of Auriga. NGC 1893, an open cluster, is embedded inside IC410
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat 51 APO, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro, Optolong L-eNhance 2” filter, two image mosaic, each image 24 x 300 second exposures at a GAIN of 200, two hour total exposure, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro (SGP) v3.03. Image date: November 25, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
BBC Sky at Night Magazine March 2020!
RELEASE DATE: 03 Jan 2020
NGC 2192 - Open Cluster in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: January 1, 2020. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 01 Jan 2020
Messier 67 - Open Cluster in Cancer
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: December 20, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 30 Dec 2019
Messier 36 - Open Cluster in Auriga
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Image date: December 20, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 26 Dec 2019
Messier 35 and NGC 2158 in Gemini
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro running at -25C, 20 x 60 second exposures, GAIN 200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2. Darks included. Image date: December 20, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 18 Dec 2019
Galaxy NGC 2403 in the Constellation Camelopardalis
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro, 11 x 60 second exposures, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using SharpCap v3.2 live stacking and saved in FITS format for processing. Image date: November 24, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
RELEASE DATE: 16 Dec 2019
Galaxies Maffei I and Maffei II in Cassiopeia
If it was not obscured by the Milky Way, Maffei I would be one of the largest and brightest galaxies in our sky, covering an area ¾ the size of the moon! Amazing!
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat 51 APO, Celestron CGEM-DX mount (pier mounted), ZWO ASI071MC-Pro, Optolong L-eNhance 2” filter, 60 x 60 second exposures at a GAIN of 200, one hour total exposure with dark/bias frames, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Captured using Sequence Generator Pro (SGP) v3.03. Image date: November 25, 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Mercury Transit 2019
Here is a view of the Mercury transit across the sun from earlier today in Pennsylvania. Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED, ZWO ASI290MC, Daystar Quark Chromosphere + Daystar 2" UV/IR filter + 0.5x focal reducer, SharpCap Pro v3.0, best 15% of 500 frames, AutoStakkert, Registax. Image date: 11 November 2019. Location: The Dark Side Observatory in Weatherly, PA, USA.
Meteorite Impact During Eclipse
There was some discussion after the recent total lunar eclipse about a possible meteorite impact occurring. After scrubbing my data, it looks like I captured it around the same time as it was reported. I haven't read anything recent confirming the impact, but thought I would share the images/dates/times so you can check your data.
Lunar Eclipse 2019 from The Dark Side Observatory
A quick overview of last evenings lunar eclipse in under 3-minutes. All lunar imaging taken using a Sky Watcher 120ED Triplet and Canon 6D stock camera.