The Dark Side Observatory

Images Released in 2022

RELEASE DATE: 29 December 2022

The Moon - December 29, 2022

Tonight’s moon from Weatherly, PA, December 29, 2022.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX Pier Mounted, best 20% of 1000 frames, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using SharpCap Pro, AutoStakkert and Registax. Image Date: December 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 December 2022

Flaming Star (IC405) and Tadpole Nebula (IC410)

This is the Flaming Star Nebula (IC405) and the Tadpole Nebula (IC410). The Flaming Star Nebula is the coma-shaped nebula on the top, the Tadpole Nebula is the large, circular nebula near the bottom. 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. High clouds filled the imaging area causing the fuzzy display.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro, ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 23, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - December 27, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 22 December 2022

Star Forming Region Sh2-239 in Taurus

This image shows Sharpless 239 (Sh2-239 or LBN 821), a reflection nebula surrounded by LDN 1551, a dark star-forming cloud of gas and dust. The region stretches for nearly 3 light-years near the southern end of the Taurus molecular cloud, a region where active star formation is taking place, some 453 light-years away in the constellation of Taurus, near the border of the constellation Perseus.
LDN 1551 contains a total amount of material equivalent to about 50 times the mass of the Sun, and inside it you will find a dozen of pre-main sequence stars. Star formation activity has caused the mix of dust and colors in the nebulae. (Ref: http://annesastronomynews.com)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 5 hours 6 minutes using 60 second guided exposures, darks from the library and flats at the end of imaging, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight. Image Date: November 21, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 19 December 2022

Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888 - Sharpless 105)

This is a re-processed image using several new PixInsight plugins called StarXTerminator and BlurXTerminator.
Here is a view of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888, Sharpless 105) located in the constellation Cygnus. The Crescent Nebula is about 5,000 light years away from Earth and was formed by the central star shedding its outer layers. According to NASA, “Burning fuel at a prodigious rate and near the end of its stellar life this star should ultimately go out with a bang in a spectacular supernova explosion”.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 20h 12m 7sDeclination: +38° 21.3′Distance: 5,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): +7.4Apparent dimensions (V): 18′ × 12′Constellation: Cygnus
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 54 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: May 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 17 December 2022

Variable Star R Andromeda

Here is another path you can take in your amateur astronomy journey, variable star observations. This is a view of the star R Andromeda (R And) taken on 14 Nov 22 and 14 Dec 22 showing the change in brightness over that 30-day period. This star will change in brightness from magnitude 5.8 down to 14.9 and back again over a period of 409 days. You can read more about these types of variable stars at (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mira_variable). While you need specific filter sets to submit your variable star data measurements to variable star organizations, my observations, for the moment, are for my own knowledge bank.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 and 8” Orion RC, ZWO AS071 running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, ZWO ASIAir Plus, ZWO EAF, 30 x 60 second exposures, darks from the library and flats after the imaging session. Image Date: Nov 14, 2022 and Dec 14 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 14 December 2022

Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann

Here is Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann from last evening.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO AS071 running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, ZWO ASIAir Plus, ZWO EAF, 60 x 60 second exposures, darks from the library and flats after the imaging session, DeepSkyStacker and Tycho Tracker. Image Date: December 14, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
VIDEO HERE

RELEASE DATE: 13 December 2022

The California Nebula - NGC1499 Through High Clouds

This is the California Nebula (NGC 1499 or Sharpless 220) an emission nebula in the constellation Perseus that I imaged back in September. This nebula is about 1,000 light years from the Earth. The nebula is being lit up by the star Menkib which is the brightest star in the image. During the imaging sessions high clouds passed overhead causing the fuzzy display shown.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 04h 03m 18.00sDeclination: +36° 25′ 18.0″Distance: 1,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): 6.0Apparent dimensions (V): 2.5° longConstellation: Perseus
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO AS2600mc-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, ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight. Image date: September 23, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 10 December 2022

The Ghost Nebula (Sh2-136)

The Ghost Nebula (designated Sharpless 2-136 (Sh2-136) is a rather isolated reflection nebula over 2 light-years across, located some 1200 light-years away at the edge of the Cepheus Flare molecular cloud complex in the constellation Cepheus. It is nicknamed the “Ghost Nebula” due its spooky appearance and to several human-like figures with arms raised, rising up from the top of the cloud structure to the left of the bright reflection. The complex process of star formation creates dust clouds of many shapes and sizes. In the case of the Ghost nebula, spooky shapes seem to haunt this starry expanse drifting through the night. Of course, these shapes are also cosmic dust clouds. Several stars are embedded in the nebula, and their light gives it a ghoulish brown color.
Also cataloged as Bok globule CB230, the core of the dark cloud on the right side of this image is collapsing and is likely a binary star system in the early stages of formation, identified as BD+67 1300. Bok globules are dark clouds of dense cosmic dust and gas within star-forming regions in which star formation usually takes place. They most commonly result in the formation of double or multiple star systems.
The name Sharpless comes from a catalog of 312 emission nebulae (H II regions). The first edition was published by Stewart Sharpless in 1953 with 142 objects (Sh1) and the second and final version was published in 1959 with 312 objects (Sh2). (http://annesastronomynews.com/annes-picture-of-the-day-the-ghost-nebula/)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 4 hours 36 minutes using 60 second guided exposures over two nights, darks from the library and flats at the end of imaging, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight. Image Date: October 29 and November 21, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 7 December 2022

Open Cluster Messier 34 in Perseus

Messier 34 (also known as M34 or NGC 1039) is a large and relatively near open cluster in the constellation Perseus. The cluster is just visible to the naked eye in very dark conditions, well away from city lights. It is possible to see it in binoculars when light pollution is low.
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)Constellation: PerseusRight ascension: 02h 42.1mDeclination: +42° 46′Distance: 1,500 light yearsApparent magnitude (V): 5.5Apparent dimensions (V): 35.0′
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 54 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight. Image Date: October 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 1 December 2022

Waxing Gibbous Moon - December 1, 2022

Tonight’s waxing gibbous moon, 66% illuminated.
Tech Specs: Meade LX-90, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO AS071 running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, best 20% of 5000 images, captured with SharpCap Pro. Image Date: December 1, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - December 2, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 29 November 2022

The Pleiades - Messier 45

The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, are an open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. Robert Burnham states in his Celestial Handbook, "undoubtedly the most famous galactic star cluster in the heavens, known and regarded with reverence since remote antiquity." This was a quick two panel mosaic.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: TaurusRight ascension: 03h 47m 24sDeclination: +24° 07′ 00″Distance: 444 ly on averageApparent magnitude (V): 1.6Apparent dimensions (V): 110' (arcmin)
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, two panel mosaic each 54 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight. Image Date: October 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 27 November 2022

Comet C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS) Observation

Here is Comet C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS) as observed last evening in the constellation Taurus.
Object: C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS) Right Asc: 04h 25m 15.6s Decl: 13° 23' 30.0" (J2000)Magnitude: 15.06 Altitude: 60° Solar Elongation: 171.6° Constellation: TauSun distance: 407.39 Million Km Earth distance: 260.77 Million Km* Data from TheSkyLive.com
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 56 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using Tycho Tracker. Image Date: November 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
WATCH VIDEO HERE

RELEASE DATE: 26 November 2022

NGC 2261 - Hubble’s Variable Nebula

Here is a view of NGC 2261 also known as Hubble’s Variable Nebula. The dust cloud is being illuminated by the star R Monocerotis, the brightest area on the left of the fan-shaped nebula. It is thought the condensation near the star varies over time changing the illuminations of the fan. The star is roughly 2,500 light-years away from Earth.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 6h 39m 10sDeclination: +8° 45′Distance: 2,500 lyApparent magnitude (V): 9.0Apparent dimensions (V): 2′Constellation: Monoceros
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using DSS. Image Date: January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W95), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 25 November 2022

Asteroid 7756 Scientia

I picked up this small 10-mile wide asteroid named 7756 Scientia while imaging the Beehive Cluster. Scientia is a Main-belt Asteroid discovered on March 27, 1990 by C. S. Shoemaker and E. M. Shoemaker at Palomar.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 60 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using Tycho Tracker. Image Date: November 23, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 November 2022

Emission Nebula - NGC 1491 (SH2-206)

NGC 1491 (also designated SH2-206 and LBN 704) is a bright emission nebula and HII region, located on the edge of a vast cloud region of neutral gas, about 10,700 light-years away in the Perseus arm of our Milky Way Galaxy in the constellation Perseus.
The blue 11.22 magnitude star (BD +50 ° 886) is illuminating the nebula while its strong stellar wind is “blowing” a bubble in the gas that immediately surrounds it. The intense radiation from the star is also eroding the gas clouds surrounding it. (Ref: http://annesastronomynews.com/photo-gallery-ii/nebulae-clouds/ngc-1491/)
Observation data: J2000 epochSubtype: H II regionRight ascension: 04h 03m 15.9sDeclination: +51° 18′ 54″Distance: 9,800 ± 2,000 lyConstellation: Perseus
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 37 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: September 1, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 18 November 2022

The Perseus Double Cluster

Here is a view of the famous double cluster in the constellation Perseus (between Perseus and Cassiopeia), they are also designated NGC 869 and NGC 884. Check out the red supergiants in this view! Did you know that the Perseus Double Cluster is surrounded by one of the largest concentrations of red supergiants stars in the sky? (Red supergiants, neutrinos and the Double Cluster, Tristram Brelstafff, 1996)
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)Constellation: PerseusRight ascension: 2h 20mDeclination: 57° 08′Distance: 7,460 and 7,640lyApparent magnitude (V): 3.7 and 3.8Apparent dimensions (V): 60′
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, two panel mosaic each 54 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight. Image Date: October 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 15 November 2022

Uranus and Several Moon

Here is a quickly stacked 15 x 60 second exposure of Uranus and showing several moons.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 15 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks, processed using Tycho Tracker. Image Date: November 15, 2022 @ 0330 UT. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W95), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 14 November 2022

Cygnus X-1 - Black Hole

While imaging and processing the The Tulip nebula, I was surprised to see I also captured the shock wave being produced from Cygnus X-1. It is the site of one of the first suspected black holes. Over the years the location of this X-ray source became more accurately determined. The X-ray source was found to lie very close to the position of a 9th magnitude star called HDE 226868. This star is a large blue supergiant, and its companion – the more compact of the two objects in the system – is thought to be between 20 and 35 solar masses. Since the largest possible mass of a neutron star can not exceed three solar masses, the compact object which is unseen, is almost certainly a black hole. These two objects share an orbital periodicity of 5.6 days.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 42 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: September 1, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 8 November 2022

Lunar Eclipse 2022

This morning's lunar eclipse, too low to get the telescope on it. All images are with a Canon 6D + 200mm lens.

RELEASE DATE: 7 November 2022

Galaxy NGC 3079 in Ursa Major

This is the galaxy NGC 3079 located in the constellation Ursa Major. Hubble images show a bubble forming in the center of the galaxy that is about 3000 light-years wide and rising to more than 3500 light-years above the disc of the galaxy.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: Ursa MajorRight ascension: 10h 01m 57.8sDeclination: +55° 40′ 47″Distance: 50 MlyApparent magnitude (V): 11.5
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 81 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 4 November 2022

SH2-091 - The Other Veil Nebula

This is Sharpless 91 (SH2-091) located in the constellation Cygnus. This is a larger, dimmer and more ancient “veil” nebula than the well known one in Western Cygnus. This image is just one of the brighter filaments in the larger structure. We’ll have to put a wider scope on this, perhaps the Redcat51 and more time. The bright star in this image is Phi Cygni.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 12 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 24, 2022. Location: GHAAS Dark Site, Eckley, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - November 6, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 1 November 2022

Star-Forming Region Sh2-106

Sharpless 2-106, Sh2-106 or S106 for short, lies nearly 2,000 light-years from us. The nebula measures several light-years in length. It appears in a relatively isolated region of the Milky Way galaxy. A massive, young star, IRS 4 (Infrared Source 4), is responsible for the furious activity we see in the nebula. Twin lobes of super-hot gas stretch outward from the central star. A ring of dust and gas orbiting the star acts like a belt, cinching the expanding nebula into an "hourglass" shape.
Detailed studies of the nebula have also uncovered several hundred brown dwarfs. At purely infrared wavelengths, more than 600 of these sub-stellar objects appear. These "failed" stars weigh less than a tenth of our Sun. Because of their low mass, they cannot produce sustained energy through nuclear fusion like our Sun does. They encompass the nebula in a small cluster. (Ref: https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2011/38/2932-Image.html)
Observation data: J2000.0 epochSubtype: bipolar nebulaRight ascension: 20h 27m 27.1sDeclination: +37° 22′ 39″Distance: 2,000 lyApparent dimensions (V): 3′ × 3′Constellation: Cygnus
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 42 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 30 October 2022

The Shrimp Nebula - Sh2-188

Sh2-188 is a planetary nebula in Cassiopeia. It does not have an official name but is often called the "Shrimp Nebula" or even the "Dolphin Nebula" due to its shape. The expanding gas from the planetary nebula is colliding with ambient gas in the interstellar medium. The nebula is nearly circular in shape but is much brighter to the southeast (lower right) because the central star is moving rapidly in that direction. Faint wisps of gas can also be seen in the opposite direction.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 35 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 18, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 28 October 2022

Supernova SN2022wsp in NGC 7448

Here is my observation of supernova SN2022wsp in galaxy NGC7448 last evening. Calculated magnitude was 15.38 using Tycho Tracker. Last observation was on 21 Oct 22 with a magnitude of 15.31.
Tech Specs: Meade LX-90 12" Telescope with Antares f/6.3 FR, ZWO ASI071 running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 55 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using Tycho Tracker v9.3.7. Image Date: October 28, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 October 2022

The Tulip Nebula (Sh2-101)

Sharpless 101 (Sh2-101) is a H II region emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. It is sometimes also called the Tulip Nebula because it appears to resemble the outline of a tulip when imaged photographically. It was cataloged by astronomer Stewart Sharpless in his 1959 catalog of nebulae. It lies at a distance of about 6,000 light-years from Earth. Sh2-101, at least in the field seen from Earth, is in close proximity to microquasar Cygnus X-1, site of one of the first suspected black holes. (Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh2-101)
My processing includes a modified Hubble Palette using PixInsight and added JWST diffraction spikes using Corel PaintShop Pro.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 20h 00m 29.37sDeclination: 35° 19′ 13.9″Distance: 6,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): 9.0Apparent dimensions (V): 16' x 9'Constellation: CygnusDesignations: Sharpless 101, Sh2-101, Cygnus Star Cloud
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 42 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: September 1, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 24 October 2022

Open Cluster NGC 6819

This is the open cluster NGC 6819 located in the constellation Cygnus. I have seen references calling the cluster the Fox Head Cluster, personally I just don’t see a fox head in this. It is about 7,200 light years away from Earth and has a visual magnitude of 7.3, thus you’ll need a small pair of binoculars to enjoy this jewel.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: CygnusRight ascension: 19h 41m 18.0sDeclination: +40° 11′ 12″Distance: 7,200 lyApparent magnitude (V): 7.3Apparent dimensions (V): 5'Other designations: Collinder 403
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 46 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using DSS. Image Date: August 27, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 October 2022

Star Trails 21-22 October 2022

Looking for Orionid meteors last night and did not catch anything significant, but did put together a 7.1 hour star trails image.
Tech Specs: ZWO ASI462MC, 426 x 60 second unguided exposures, tripod mounted, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and StarTrails. Image Date: October 21-22, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 21 October 2022

NGC 6820 and NGC 6823

NGC 6823 is an open cluster and is surrounded by an emission nebula designated as NGC 6820 (also known as SH2-86). This pair is located roughly 6,000 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula.
The most striking feature is the trunk-like pillar of dust and gas protruding from the east side of the nebula towards the open cluster, NGC 6823 in the west. The center of the open cluster, which is about 50 light-years across, is about two million years old and is dominated in brightness by many young, bright blue stars, packed in a Trapezium-formed region of about 1.3 x 0.7 light-years across. Outer parts of the cluster, involving pillars of the emission nebula, contain even younger stars.
The huge pillars of gas and dust are probably formed when surrounding gas and dust is pushed and eroded away by stellar winds and radiation from the brightest cluster stars. Remarkable dark globules of gas and dust (Bok globules) are also visible in the nebula. Bok globules, named after the Dutch astronomer Bart Bok (1906-1983), who proposed their existence in the 1940′s, are dark clouds of dense cosmic dust and gas within star-forming regions in which usually star formation takes place. They most commonly result in the formation of double or multiple star systems. (Ref: http://annesastronomynews.com).
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 18 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: July 30, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 19 October 2022

Supernova 2022wsp in NGC7448

Here is a view of a supernova in the galaxy NGC7448, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pegasus. The supernova is designated as SN2022wsp, my calculated magnitude was 15.31 but I think it's proximity to the galactic core increased this estimate.
Tech Specs: Meade LX-90 12" Telescope with Antares f/6.3 FR, ZWO ASI071 running at -10C, Celestron CGEM-DX mount, 55 x 60 second guided exposures, focused with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using Tycho Tracker v9.3.7. Image Date: October 19, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 17 October 2022

Interacting Galaxies NGC 5930 and 5929

Here is a view of interacting galaxies NGC 5930 and NGC 5929 found in the constellation Bootes. Arp listed this galactic pair in his catalog of peculiar galaxies as Arp90. The small fuzzy galaxy in the upper left is called UGC 9857 and is listed as magnitude 15.8.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: BoötesRight ascension: 15h 26m 07.987sDeclination: +41° 40′ 33.92″Distance: 133 MlyApparent magnitude (V): 12.2
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC (on Orion 60mm Guidescope), ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 69 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 4, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 11 October 2022

IC 5070 - The Pelican Nebula

From Wikipedia: The Pelican Nebula (also known as IC 5070 and IC 5067) 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. The Pelican Nebula is located nearby first magnitude star Deneb, and is divided from its more prominent neighbor, the North America Nebula, by a molecular cloud filled with dark dust.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 20h 50m 48.0sDeclination: +44° 20′ 60.0"Distance: 1,800 lyApparent magnitude (V): 8.0Apparent dimensions (V): 60' x 50'Constellation: Cygnus
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 2, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 6 October 2022

Merging Galaxies in Draco - Arp 81

Arp 81 is a strongly interacting pair of galaxies, seen about 100 million years after their closest approach. It consists of NGC 6621 and NGC 6622. NGC 6621 is the larger of the two, and is a very disturbed spiral galaxy. The encounter has pulled a long tail out of NGC 6621 that has now wrapped behind its body. The collision has also triggered extensive star formation between the two galaxies. Scientists believe that Arp 81 has a richer collection of young massive star clusters than the notable Antennae galaxies (which are much closer than Arp 81). The pair is located in the constellation of Draco, approximately 300 million light-years away from Earth. Arp 81 is the 81st galaxy in Arp's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies.(Credit/Source: https://esahubble.org/images/heic0810bd/)
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: DracoRight ascension: 18h 12m 55sDeclination: +68° 21′ 48″Apparent magnitude (B): 13.6
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC (on Orion 60mm Guidescope), ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 96 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 5, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 3 October 2022

Messier 17 – The Omega Nebula

The Omega Nebula (Swan Nebula, M17, NGC 6618) is an H II region between 5000 and 6000 light years away in the constellation Sagittarius. An open star cluster, NGC 6618, lies embedded in the nebulosity and, due to radiation, causes the gasses of the nebula to shine.
Observation data: J2000 epochRight ascension: 18h 20m 26sDeclination: −16° 10′ 36″Distance: 5,000–6,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): 6.0Apparent dimensions (V): 11 arcminsConstellation: Sagittarius
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 12 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 24, 2022. Location: GHAAS Dark Site, Eckley, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 29 September 2022

The Lion Nebula - Sh2-132

Sh2-132, as designated in the Sharpless catalog, is a relatively faint emission nebula located approximately 10,000 lightyears distant in the constellation Cepheus. Often referred to as the Lion Nebula, this one is pretty obvious to see. This is a two panel mosaic as the entire region could not be imaged on my trusty Sky-Watcher Esprit.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 42 x 300 seconds per panel, 7 hours total time, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight, DSS and Microsoft Image Composite Editor. Image Date: August 2 and August 18, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 September 2022

The Pinwheel Galaxy – Messier 101 (M101 or NGC 5457)

The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years (6.4 megaparsecs) away from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. M101 is a large galaxy, with a diameter of 170,000 light-years. By comparison, the Milky Way has a diameter of between 100,000 and 120,000 light-years. It has around a trillion stars.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: Ursa MajorRight ascension: 14h 03m 12.6sDeclination: +54° 20′ 57″Distance: 20.9 ± 1.8 MlyApparent magnitude (V): 7.9
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 45 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - September 27, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 23 September 2022

Pickering Triangle in the Veil Nebula

This object is part of a beautiful supernova remnant located 1500 light years away in the constellation of Cygnus known as the Veil Nebula (or Cygnus Loop). Pickering's Triangle is the least known of the 3 main supernova remnants of the massive and beautiful Veil Nebula. The other 2 remnants are NGC 6960 and NGC 6992/6995.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 42 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 11 September 2022

Bubble Nebula - NGC 7635

From Wikipedia: “NGC 7635, also known as the Bubble Nebula, Sharpless 162, or Caldwell 11, is an 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, SAO 20575. 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.”
This is a 2 hour and 35 minute combined exposure and processed in PixInsight in the Hubble palette.
Observation data:J2000 epochRight ascension: 23h 20m 48.3sDeclination: +61° 12′ 06″Distance: 7100 to 11000 lyApparent magnitude (V): ~10Apparent dimensions (V): 15′ × 8′Constellation: Cassiopeia
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 31 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - September 11, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 7 September 2022

The Ghost of Cassiopeia - IC59 and IC63

IC 59 and IC 63 are found in the constellation Cassiopeia very near the bright star Gamma Cassiopeia. This set of objects is also known as the Ghost of Cassiopeia. Gamma Cassiopeia also has the informal nickname of Navi. The “IC” designation comes from a group of objects discovered between 1888 and 1907, most made possible by photography, and known as the Index Catalogue.
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 in the area.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 39 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: July 30, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 4 September 2022

Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888 - Sharpless 105)

Here is a view of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888, Sharpless 105) located in the constellation Cygnus. The Crescent Nebula is about 5,000 light years away from Earth and was formed by the central star shedding its outer layers. According to NASA, “Burning fuel at a prodigious rate and near the end of its stellar life this star should ultimately go out with a bang in a spectacular supernova explosion”.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 20h 12m 7sDeclination: +38° 21.3′Distance: 5,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): +7.4Apparent dimensions (V): 18′ × 12′Constellation: Cygnus
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 54 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: May 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 30 August 2022

Deneb - Alpha Cygni

Here is a quick view of the star Deneb in the constellation Cygnus
From Wikipedia - Deneb is a first-magnitude star in the constellation of Cygnus, the swan. Deneb is one of the vertices of the asterism known as the Summer Triangle and the "head" of the Northern Cross. It is the brightest star in Cygnus and the 19th brightest star in the night sky, with an average apparent magnitude of +1.25. A blue-white supergiant, Deneb rivals Rigel as the most luminous first-magnitude star. However, its distance, and hence luminosity, is poorly known; its luminosity is somewhere between 55,000 and 196,000 times that of the Sun. Its Bayer designation is α Cygni, which is abbreviated to Alpha Cyg or α Cyg.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 6 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 24, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 27 August 2022

The Pacman Nebula - NGC 281/Sh2-184

NGC 281 is an HII region in the constellation of Cassiopeia and part of the Perseus Spiral Arm. NGC 281 is also known as the Pacman Nebula for its resemblance to the video game character and in the Sharpless Catalog, Sh2-184. This was my first light image using the Optolong L-eXtreme filter, love the results! Processed using a modified Hubble palette with PixInsight.
Observation data: J2000.0 epochRight ascension: 00h 52m 59.3sDeclination: +56° 37′ 19″Distance: 9500 lyApparent dimensions (V): 35′Constellation: Cassiopeia
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eXtreme filter (2”), 55 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: August 24, 2022. Location: GHAAS Dark Site, Eckley, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 24 August 2022

The Eastern Veil Nebula - NGC 6992 and 6995

The Veil Nebula is a cloud of heated and ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. It constitutes the visible portions of the Cygnus Loop, a large but relatively faint supernova remnant. The source supernova was a star 20 times more massive than the Sun which exploded between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago. At the time of explosion, the supernova would have appeared brighter than Venus in the sky, and visible in daytime. The remnants have since expanded to cover an area roughly 3 degrees in diameter (about 6 times the diameter, or 36 times the area, of the full Moon). This is the Eastern Veil (also known as Caldwell 33), whose brightest area is NGC 6992, trailing off farther south into NGC 6995.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 5C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 12 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 24, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 21 August 2022

Supernova SN2022prv in IC1132

A long time ago in a galaxy far away a star exploded. This is galaxy IC1132 and supernova 2022prv discovered last month. The supernova is currently shining at magnitude 16.0 (rough estimate based on surrounding stars).
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 27 x 60 seconds at 5C plus darks, stacked in DSS. Image Date: August 21, 2021 @ 0200 HRS (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 19 August 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 71 (M71 or NGC 6838)

Messier 71 (M71 or NGC 6838) is a globular cluster in the small northern constellation Sagitta and is about 12,000 light years away from Earth. Up until the 1970’s this cluster was designated as a densely packed open cluster because of the loose central region, today it is designated as a loosely concentrated globular cluster with a young age of 9-10 billion years.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: X-XIConstellation: SagittaRight ascension: 19h 53m 46.49sDeclination: +18° 46′ 45.1″Apparent magnitude (V): 8.2Apparent dimensions (V): 7.2'
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC (on Orion 60mm Guidescope), ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 72 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 5, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 16 August 2022

Face On Spiral Galaxy NGC2857 (Arp1)

This is the face on spiral galaxy NGC2857 and is also the first entry in the Arp catalog. It's Arp class is "spiral galaxies with low surface brightness". NGC2857 shows two very long thin spiral arms, as can be seen in my image. The galaxies of the lower left are NGC2856 and NGC2854, they are interacting galaxies and also listed in the Arp catalog as Arp285. These will be imaged at a later date using the Meade 12” to gain additional data.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: Ursa MajorRight ascension: 09h 24m 37.698sDeclination: +49° 21′ 25.69″ Distance: 225.21 ± 0.00 klyApparent magnitude (V): 12.27
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 82 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
ANNOTATED IMAGE

RELEASE DATE: 13 August 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 15 (M15 or NGC 7078)

Messier 15 (M15 or NGC 7078) is a bright globular cluster located in the constellation Pegasus. The age of this cluster is estimated to be 12 billion years, ranking it as one of the oldest known globular clusters.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: IVConstellation: PegasusRight ascension: 21h 29m 58.33sDeclination: +12° 10′ 01.2″Distance: 35.69 ± 0.43 klyApparent magnitude (V): 6.2Apparent dimensions (V): 18′.0
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 50 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 5, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 8 August 2022

Western Veil Nebula - NGC 6960

Here is the Western Veil Nebula in the constellation Cygnus.This section is also known as Caldwell 34 or NGC 6960 (the Witch's Broom) and includes the star 52 Cygni. This was caused by an exploding star known as a supernova and is estimated to have occurred between 3,000 BC to 6,000 BC.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 23 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 4, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 5 August 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 5 (M5 or NGC 5904)

Messier 5 (M5 or NGC 5904) is a bright globular cluster located in the constellation Serpens. M5 is one of the oldest globular clusters, as well as one of the brightest in our galaxy. Estimates to the number of stars vary from 100,000 to as many as 500,000.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: VConstellation: SerpensRight ascension: 15h 18m 33.22sDeclination: +02° 04′ 51.7″Distance: 24.5 klyApparent magnitude (V): 5.6Apparent dimensions (V): 23′.0
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 81 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: March 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 2 August 2022

The Cygnus Wall in the North America Nebula (NGC7000)

This is the Cygnus Wall, a portion of the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) in the constellation Cygnus. The nebula is approximately 1,500 light years from Earth, and the Cygnus Wall spans about 20 light years. The Wall exhibits the most concentrated star formations in this nebula.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 41 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight, DSS and Luminar NEO. Image Date: June 5, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 30 July 2022

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Observation - July 29, 2022

Here is a 51-minute combined exposure and raw unprocessed video showing C/2022 E3 (ZTF) moving through the constellation Hercules, what a nice little tail.
From EarthSky.org “Astronomers call this comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). It got its name because it was the third such object to be discovered in the fifth half-month (A, B, C, D, E) of this year. The ZTF stands for the Zwicky Transient Facility, which uses the 48-inch Samuel Oschin robotic telescope, located at Mt. Palomar in southern California.”
Info at the time the image was taken:
Object: C/2022 E3 (ZTF)Right Asc: 17h 39m 46.1s Dec: 35° 54' 01.1" (J2000) [HMS|Dec]Magnitude: 13.80 Altitude: 75° Solar Elongation: 111.4° Constellation: HerSun distance: 398.20 Million Km Earth distance: 316.93 Million KmRise: 13:34 Transit: 22:12 Set: 06:46 America/New_York
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC (on Orion 60mm Guidescope), ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 69 x 60 seconds at 5C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: July 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
51-Minute RAW Video

RELEASE DATE: 28 July 2022

The Black Eye Galaxy – Messier 64

The Black Eye Galaxy, Messier 64 (M64), or NGC 4826, is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices. The dark band of absorbing dust gives this galaxy the name “Black Eye” or “Evil Eye” galaxy.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)

Constellation: Coma Berenices
Right ascension: 12h 56m 43.696s
Declination: +21° 40′ 57.57″
Distance: 17.3 Mly
Apparent magnitude (V): 8.52

Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC (on Orion 60mm Guidescope), ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 96 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: June 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - July 28, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 24 July 2022

Jupiter - July 23, 2022

The planet Jupiter from yesterday morning (July 23, 2022). Captured a few frames through broken clouds and haze.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ASI290MC, best 20% of 5000 frames, processed using AutoStakkert and Registax. Image Date: July 23, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 20 July 2022

Comet C/2017 K2 Observation

Here is a 56-minute stacked image of Comet C/2017 K2 as it cruises through the constellation Ophiuchus in our southern skies. Check out the HUGE coma (cometary atmosphere) on this comet! Measurements suggest that the coma is nearly as large as the planet Jupiter.
From EarthSky.org “Astronomers first spotted this comet in 2017 using the Pan-STARRS survey instrument in Hawaii. At the time, they said it was the farthest active inbound comet they’d yet seen. It was between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus when they first saw it. Now it’s in the inner solar system, with closest approach to Earth on July 14. The comet will be closest to the sun several months later, on December 19, 2022. With a small telescope, you should be able to spot the comet throughout the summer.
According to in-the-sky.org, the current visual magnitude is listed as 8.81.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, ZWO OAG, 56 x 60 seconds at 5C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: July 19, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 13 July 2022

Arcturus (Alpha Boötis)

What is that bright star high in the Western sky after sunset? Say hello to Arcturus (a red giant star), also known as Alpha Boötis (the brightest star in the constellation Boötis). It is the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. It has a visual magnitude of −0.04, and is the fourth brightest star in the night sky. The name Artcurus comes from the Greek meaning "keeper or guardian of the bear", which refers to the its position adjacent to the tail of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear).
Distance to Earth: 36.66 light yearsMagnitude: -0.04Radius: 10.98 million miSurface temperature: 4,290 KConstellation: BoötesSpectral type: K1.5IIIFe-0.5Coordinates: RA 14h 15m 40s | Dec +19° 10′ 56″
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 6 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, focus with a ZWO EAF, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro. Processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: May 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 10 July 2022

Spiral Galaxy Messier 106 (M106)

Messier 106 (M106, also known as NGC 4258) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici and is approximately 23.7 million light years from Earth. The galaxy is thought to contain 400 billion stars.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Constellation: Canes VenaticiRight ascension: 12h 18m 57.5sDeclination: +47° 18′ 14″[1]Redshift: 448 ± 3 km/sDistance: 23.7 ± 1.5 MlyApparent magnitude (V): 8.4Size: 135,000 ly (in diameter)Apparent size (V): 18′.6 × 7′.2
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 66 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 28 June 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 92 (M92 or NGC 6341)

M92 is a bright, compact globular cluster located in the northern section of Hercules. I think Robert Burnham said it best, “This is a beautiful rich globular cluster which in almost any other constellation would be considered a major show object; in Hercules it has been somewhat overshadowed by the splendor of the fabulous M13.” (Burnham’s Celestial Handbook – Volume 2 – Robert Burnham Jr.).
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: IVConstellation: HerculesRight ascension: 17h 17m 07.39sDeclination: +43° 08′ 09.4″[2]Distance: 27,000 lyApparent magnitude (V): 6.4Apparent dimensions (V): 14' arc minutes
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 81 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: April 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 24 June 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 3

Messier 3 (also known as M3 or NGC 5272) is a globular cluster found in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici. M3 is one of the three brightest globular clusters in the Northern hemisphere (along with M13 and M5). This cluster is made up of around 500,000 stars. It is estimated to be 11.4 billion years old. It is located at a distance of about 33,900 light-years away from Earth.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: VIConstellation: Canes VenaticiRight ascension: 13h 42m 11.62sDeclination: +28° 22′ 38.2″Distance: 33.9 klyApparent magnitude (V): 6.39Apparent dimensions (V): 18′.0
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 72 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: May 30, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 20 June 2022

The Dumbbell Nebula - Messier 27

The Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 27, M27 or NGC 6853) is a bright planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula. It is easily seen in binoculars and wide-field photographs. The central star is an extremely hot blueish subdwarf. The nebula was created by the dying star ejecting a shell of gas into space.

Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension: 19h 59m 36.340s
Declination: +22° 43′ 16.09″
Apparent magnitude (V): 7.4
Apparent dimensions (V): 8.0′ × 5.6′
Constellation: Vulpecula

Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 52 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: May 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 17 June 2022

Clavius Crater on Earth’s Moon

Clavius is a large crater found on the southern side of the moon, it measures approximately 136 miles across. The crater was named after Christoph Klau (or Christophorus Clavius) a 16th century German mathematician and astronomer.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI290MC, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 15% of 10000 frames. Processed using SharpCap, Autostakkert, Registax and Luminar Neo. Image Date: June 9, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 13 June 2022

IC2177 and the Seagull Nebula Region

IC 2177 is a region of nebulosity that lies along the border between the constellations Monoceros and Canis Major. The region is often referred to as the Seagull Nebula, and includes a larger nebulous region as well and open clusters NGC 2335 and NGC 2343 and a small reflection nebula named NGC 2327 (in the wing of the Seagull). The open cluster Messier 50 (M50 or NGC 2323) can be seen in the upper left corner.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro, ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - June 14, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 10 June 2022

The Moon - June 9, 2022

Here is a view of last evening’s moon, 75% illuminated.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 15% of 500 frames, two image composite. Processed using SharpCap, Autostakkert, Registax and Luminar Neo. Image Date: June 9, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 9 June 2022

The LEO Triplet - M65, M66 and NGC 3628

The Leo Triplet is a small group of galaxies in the constellation Leo and include Messier 65 (M65), Messier 66 (M66) and NGC 3628 (a beautiful edge-on spiral galaxy). The trio is estimated to be some 30-million light-years away. In this image, M65 is in the upper right, M66 in the lower right and NGC 3628 on the left.
Tech Specs: Sky Watcher Esprit 120ED, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, 93 x 60 seconds at -10C 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, focus using a ZWO EAF. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Image date: March 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 5 June 2022

Spiral Galaxy Messier 94 (M94)

This is the spiral galaxy named Messier 94 (M94 or NGC 4736) found in the constellation Canes Venatici. It has an apparent magnitude of 8.99 and is about 16 million light-years away from Earth.
From NASA - New stars are forming at a high rate within the bright ring. This region is known as a starburst ring. The cause of this peculiarly shaped star-forming region is likely a pressure wave traveling outward from the galactic center, compressing the gas and dust in the outer regions. The compression of material means the gas starts to collapse into denser clouds. Inside these dense clouds, gravity pulls the gas and dust together until the temperature and pressure are high enough for stars to be born.
Observation data (Epoch J2000)Constellation: Canes VenaticiRight ascension: 12h 50m 53.1sDeclination: +41° 07′ 14″Apparent dimension (V): 11.2’ × 9.1’Apparent magnitude (V): 8.99
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 66 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 2 June 2022

The California Nebula - NGC1499 Through Clouds

This is the California Nebula (NGC 1499 or Sharpless 220) an emission nebula in the constellation Perseus that I imaged back in January. This nebula is about 1,000 light years from the Earth. The nebula is being lit up by the star Menkib which is the brightest star in the center of my image. I would usually throw this data out because there were high clouds all night, but decided to process it anyway, I like the results.

Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension: 04h 03m 18.00s
Declination: +36° 25′ 18.0″
Distance: 1,000 ly
Apparent magnitude (V): 6.0
Apparent dimensions (V): 2.5° long
Constellation: Perseus

Tech Specs: Williams Optics REDCAT51, ZWO AS2600mc-Pro running at 0C, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, Optolong L-eNhance filter (2”), 24 x 300 second exposures, guided using a ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini, controlled with a ZWO ASIAir Pro, ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF, stacked in DSS and processed using PixInsight and Adobe Lightroom. Image date: January 4, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 31 May 2022

Tau Herculid Meteor Shower

The Tau Herculid meteor shower/outburst was a bust last evening, but still came away with a few nice captures and some lessons learned. The biggest lesson was learning my all-sky dome camera tends to overheat the equipment inside, yikes, temperatures inside hit about 58C (136F). We had almost 600 people watching our live stream from all over the world and had a blast chatting through the event and sharing observations from your locations. This image shows the best meteor captured during this event from my backyard. I’ve highlighted the Big Dipper (in Ursa Major) and Keystone (in Hercules) asterisms for reference.
Tech specs: Canon 6D, ZWO AAP, Lensbaby Fisheye lens, ISO 1000, 60 second exposures. Processed in Adobe Lightroom. Image Date: May 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 30 May 2022

Globular Cluster Messier 10 (M10)

Messier 10 (M10 or NGC 6254) is a globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It is approximately 15,000 light years away. From Wikipedia, “A globular cluster is a spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite. Globular clusters are very tightly bound by gravity, which gives them their spherical shapes and relatively high stellar densities toward their centers.”
Observation data (J2000 epoch)Class: VIIConstellation: OphiuchusRight ascension: 16h 57m 8.92sDeclination: −04° 05′ 58.07″Distance: 14.3 klyApparent magnitude (V): 6.6Apparent dimensions (V): 20′.0
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 71 x 60 seconds at 0C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: April 29, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 May 2022

M63 - The Sunflower Galaxy

Here is a view of the Sunflower Galaxy, Messier 63 (M63, NGC 5055) found in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is a spiral galaxy surrounded by many short spiral arm segments. It is also a member of a group of galaxies referred to as the M51 Group. The Sunflower Galaxy lies roughly 37 million light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 9.3. This has been one of my favorite galaxies to image during galaxy season. I've managed to image this galaxy annually since 2017.
Distance to Earth: 27 million light yearsRadius: 49,000 light yearsRight ascension: 13h 15m 49.3sDeclination: +42°01’45”Apparent Magnitude: 9.3Apparent dimensions: 12′.6 x 7′.2Stars: 400 billionCommon Name: Sunflower Galaxy
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 May 2022

Messier 36 - Open Cluster in Auriga

Messier 36 (M36 or NGC 1960) lies at a distance of about 4,100 light years away from Earth in the constellation Auriga and is about 14 light years across. There are at least sixty members in the cluster. The cluster is very similar to the Pleiades cluster (M45), and if it were the same distance from Earth it would be of similar brightness.
Distance: 4,340 light year.Radius: 7 light yearRight ascension: 05h 36m 18.0sDeclination: +34° 08′ 24″Apparent Magnitude: 6.3
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 19 May 2022

NGC 772 (Arp 78) The Nautilus Galaxy

When I first imaged The Nautilus Galaxy (NGC 772/ARP 78) I was fascinated by its shape, one spiral arm stretched outward from the center. This is probably an effect of being tugged on by a satellite galaxy designated as NGC 770 (the bright fuzzy ball of light at the eight o'clock position). NGC 772 is also listed as ARP 78 in the Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. This catalog was compiled by Dr. Halton C. Arp and it details 338 peculiar galaxies. It is estimated that NGC 772 is twice the size of our Milky Way Galaxy! If you are looking at this image on Facebook or on our web site, I’ve also included an annotated version of the image.
Distance: 130 million light year.Right ascension: 01h 59m 20sDeclination: +19° 00’ 27”Apparent Magnitude: 10.3Apparent Size: 4.57 x 2.52 (arc minutes)
I’ve imaged this galaxy three times in the last seven years, each time bringing out new details from changes in camera sensor technology, software processing and experience.
I’m not sure who first coined the name “Nautilus Galaxy”, but I did find a reference from 2008 by Ruben Kier who states, “I find the shape of NGC 772 resembles the nautilus shell, as illustrated to the right, so I have called it the Nautilus Galaxy.” (REF: http://www.stardoctor.org/772.html) If you Google “Nautilus Shell” you’ll see what he is talking about.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 178 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: November 9, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - May 20, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 16 May 2022

Lunar Eclipse - May 15, 2022

A quick view of the lunar eclipse last evening, clouds rolled in right before totality, bummer. Still grabbed some interesting views with some high level clouds. Tech specs: Canon 6D, Canon 2xIII, Pluto trigger, Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 3200, 2 seconds, f/5.6, 400mm. Processed in Adobe Lightroom and Luminar Neo. Image Date: May 15, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 15 May 2022

The Helix Galaxy - NGC 2685

Here is an image of a galaxy named The Helix Galaxy, also designated as NGC 2685 and can be found in the constellation Ursa Major. Because of how peculiar this galaxy looks, it is also listed in the Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies as ARP 336. What is unique about this galaxy is that it is a lenticular and polar ring Seyfert Type 2 galaxy. In my image you can just make several swirling arms circling around the galaxy, scientists postulate these were formed when two galaxies gravitationally interact with each other.
Distance: 40-42 million light year.Diameter: 50,000 light years (half of the Milky Way)Right ascension: 08h 55m 34.75sDeclination: +58° 44′ 03.87″Apparent Magnitude: 11.1Apparent Diameter: 5.2 (arc minutes)
There are many examples of Seyfert Galaxies and you can peruse them at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyfert_galaxy
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 160 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: November 8, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 9 May 2022

The Moon - May 8, 2022

A view of last evening's moon 50% illuminated (First Quarter).
Tech Specs: Meade 12" LX-90 telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, Antares Focal Reducer, best 15% of 1000 frames at full resolution, Sharpcap Pro, Autostakkert, Luminar Neo. Image Date: May 8, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 6 May 2022

NGC 457 - The Owl Cluster

This is the Owl Cluster in Cassiopeia, also known as NGC 457. The Owl Cluster is about 7,900 light-years away. The two bright stars inside this cluster are magnitude 5 Phi-1 Cassiopeia and magnitude 7 Phi-2 Cassiopeia.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks, processed using DSS. Image Date: November 8, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 3 May 2022

Moon - Mercury - Pleiades Conjunction

Last evening’s moon, Mercury and Pleiades conjunction imaged after sunset. Mercury and the main stars in the Pleiades have been highlighted for visibility.
Tech specs: Canon 6D, Pluto trigger, Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, tripod mounted, ISO 1250, 2.5 seconds, f/8, 200mm. Processed in Adobe Lightroom and ProDigital Software StarSpikes Pro v4. Image Date: May 2, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 2 May 2022

Galaxy NGC 1961 (Arp 184)

NGC 1961 is an unusual galaxy, located about 171 million light-year from Earth, toward the constellation Camelopardalis. Because of its unusual appearance, Arp listed in his Catalog of Peculiar Galaxies as entry number 184.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: November 8, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 28 April 2022

Galaxy Messier 109 in Ursa Major

This is the barred-spiral galaxy Messier 109 (M109 or NGC 3992) found in the constellation Ursa Major. M109 is about 83 million light years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.6. M109 has several satellite galaxies all visible in this image. Estimates indicate that this galaxy contains about 1 trillion stars!
Annotated image link provided below.

Distance to Earth: 83 million light years
Apparent Magnitude: 10.6
Right ascension: 11h 57m 36.0s
Declination: +53° 22′ 28″
Apparent dimensions: 7.6 × 4.7 arc minutes

Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 135 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: January 3, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Annotated IMAGE

RELEASE DATE: 25 April 2022

Supernova 2022hrs in NGC4647

Here is a quick view of a new supernova located in the galaxy NGC4647 and discovered by Koichi Itagaki on April 16, 2022. At the time of imaging it was at magnitude 12.6. The comparison image on the top was taken using my 12” Meade LX-90 back in 2020. The large elliptical galaxy next to NGC4647 is Messier 60 (M60), they form a pair known as ARP116 and are interacting with each other.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 48 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, BIN2,, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: April 25, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 April 2022

Galaxy IC356 (Arp213) in Camelopardalis

IC 365, also known as Arp 213, is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Camelopardalis (the Camel). The galaxy appears red in color, because it is situated behind the dust of the Milky Way, at a distance of approximately 50 million lightyears. If you look close you can make out some of the dark dust lanes in the spiral arms. Arp included this galaxy in his list of peculiar galaxies because of the odd dark lane that goes from the central region of the galaxy and extends to the 10 o’clock position in my image.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks, processed using DSS. Image Date: November 8, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 22 April 2022

Lyrid Meteor Shower - Rogue Meteor

Here is an image from last evenings Lyrid meteor shower run, 300 x 120 second exposures and only two rogue meteors captured. Granted, there were a lot of clouds last night. In this image the Northern Cross and Big Dipper asterisms as well as the star Vega are highlighted for reference. Where it says “Radiant Point” is this area meteors should “appear” to be coming from. You can see the rogue meteor on the top of the screen (NORTH).
Tech Specs: Canon 6D with Lensbaby Fisheye Lens, ZWO AAPlus, dew strap, unguided, operated via ethernet to Bluestacks. 120 second exposure at ISO 1000. Processed in Luminar NEO and Corel PaintshopPro. Image Date: April 22, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 20 April 2022

Today’s Sun - April 20, 2022

Today’s sun (April 20, 2022) in white light with some HUGE sunspots coming into view.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Orion Glass Solar Filter, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 15% of 1000 frames, processed using Autostakkert and Registax. Image Date: April 20, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 18 April 2022

Open Cluster NGC 2158 in Gemini

NGC 2158 is located in the constellation Gemini, southwest of M35. While it looks like they are close together, NGC 2158 is actually around 9,000 light-years behind M35 (11,000 light-years from Earth). It has an apparent magnitude of 8.6.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 7, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 15 April 2022

Spiral Galaxy Messier 74 (M74)

This is the face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces known as Messier 74 (M74). At a distance of 32 million light-years, this galaxy sports two beautiful spiral arms, it contains an estimated 100 billion stars. Combined images from 11/7/21 and 1/31/22.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 7, 2021 and January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - April 16, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 12 April 2022

Flaming Star (IC405) and Tadpole Nebula (IC410)

This is the Flaming Star Nebula (IC405) and the Tadpole Nebula (IC410). The Flaming Star Nebula is the coma-shaped nebula on the top, the Tadpole Nebula is the large, circular nebula near the bottom right. 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.
If you are viewing this on Facebook, I've also included an annotated image.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 22 x 300 seconds at -10C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 9 April 2022

Open Cluster M35 in Gemini

This is open clusters Messier 35 found in the constellation Gemini. This is a huge open cluster that almost fills the same size in the sky as a full moon, it is about 2,800 light-years from Earth.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 7, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 6 April 2022

Supernova SN2022ewj in Galaxy NGC 3367

Here is a quick shot of the supernova, designated as SN2022ewj in the galaxy NGC 3367. It is a Type II supernova that can be found in the constellation Leo.
INFO: A Type II supernova (plural: supernovae or supernovas) results from the rapid collapse and violent explosion of a massive star. A star must have at least 8 times, but no more than 40 to 50 times, the mass of the Sun (M☉) to undergo this type of explosion. Type II supernovae are distinguished from other types of supernovae by the presence of hydrogen in their spectra. (Wikipedia).
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 56 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: April 5, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 5 April 2022

Occultation of 14 Tauri

Here is a view of the occultation of the star 14 Tauri that occurred on 5 April 2022 at 00:32 (UT). 14 Tauri has a visual magnitude of 6.14 and can be seen in the lower left section of each image. From Wikipedia, “The term occultation is most frequently used to describe lunar occultations, those relatively frequent occasions when the Moon passes in front of a star during the course of its orbital motion around the Earth.”
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 30 second unguided exposures at -10C, processed using PixInsight and Corel Paintshop Pro. Image Date: April 5, 2022 at 00:32 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 4 April 2022

Globular Cluster NGC 2419 in Lynx

Here is a view of the most distant globular cluster in the Milky Way, NGC 2419, some have postulated that this may be an extra-galactic object. I have seen distances listed as high as 285,000 light-years away from Earth. It appears small and dim, but it is actually very large and very bright (if it was a bit closer to us), there are estimates of 300-400 million solar masses in this cluster.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 3 April 2022

The Sun - April 2, 2022

Yesterday’s sun in white light, pretty active with a lot of sunspots. A few dark areas from dust in my imaging train that I didn’t catch.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Orion Glass Solar Filter, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 10% of 1000 frames, processed using Autostakkert and Registax. Image Date: April 4, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 1 April 2022

The Eskimo Nebula - NGC 2392

This is the planetary nebula called The Eskimo Nebula or NGC 2392. It is a double-shell planetary nebula located in the constellation Gemini. Radial velocity measurements reveal that this diameter of the cloud is growing at a rate of 68 miles per second (Burnham, 1978).
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 28 March 2022

Quadruple Conjunction - March 28, 2022

This morning's quad conjunction from Weatherly, PA. Venus, Saturn, Mars and an old crescent moon in the early morning sky. Hope you had a chance to see it!
Tech Specs: Canon 6D tripod mounted, Pluto trigger, Canon EF70-200mm USM lens, Canon 2xIII, ISO 400, 2.5 seconds, f/5.6, 140mm. Image Date: March 28, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 March 2022

Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1275

From Wikipedia: NGC 1275 (also known as Perseus A or Caldwell 24) is a type 1.5 Seyfert galaxy located around 237 million light-years away[2] in the direction of the constellation Perseus. NGC 1275 corresponds to the radio galaxy Perseus A and is situated near the center of the large Perseus Cluster of galaxies.
Hubble Image at https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2008/28/2375-Image.html
I was happy to detect some of the galaxy strands that Hubble showed in it’s image taken in 2008.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 162 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 24 March 2022

Central Region of the Orion Nebula

Here is the central region of the Orion Nebula, called the Trapezium Cluster. It is also known as Theta-1 Orionis and is about 1,600 light-years away. The four brightest stars have been designated A, B, C, and D. The Trapezium Cluster is what provides the light for the Orion Nebula (M42) in the constellation Orion.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 108 minutes total, mix of 5, 10, 30 and 60 second exposures at -10C plus darks, processed using DSS. Image Date: November 8, 2021 and January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 21 March 2022

Montes Apenninus - March 11, 2022

The Apenninus Mountains are one of my favorite locations to image on the moon. It is also home to our moons tallest mountain, Mons Huygens, which stands 3.4 miles tall!
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI290MC, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 15% of 10k frames at full resolution, processed using SharpCap Pro and Registax. Image Date: March 11, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 18 March 2022

Planetary Nebula NGC 40

From Wikipedia: NGC 40 (also known as the Bow-Tie Nebula and Caldwell 2) is a planetary nebula discovered by William Herschel on November 25, 1788, and is composed of hot gas around a dying star. The star has ejected its outer layer which has left behind a smaller, hot star with a temperature on the surface of about 50,000 degrees Celsius. Radiation from the star causes the shed outer layer to heat to about 10,000 degrees Celsius, and is about one light-year across. About 30,000 years from now, scientists theorize that NGC 40 will fade away, leaving only a white dwarf star approximately the size of Earth.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 59 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 15 March 2022

The Pacman Nebula - NGC 281/Sh2-184

NGC 281 is an HII region in the constellation of Cassiopeia and part of the Perseus Spiral Arm. NGC 281 is also known as the Pacman Nebula for its resemblance to the video game character and in the Sharpless Catalog, Sh2-184.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 48 x 300 seconds at -10C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 12 March 2022

Rupes Recta on the Moon

Rupes Recta, a linear fault line, or rille, was casting quite the shadow on March 11, 2022. The name is Latin for straight cliff, although it is more commonly called the Straight Wall. This fault has a length of about 68 miles (110 kilometers). The small (11 miles wide) crater Birt lies just to the west.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI290MC, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 20% of 30k frames at full resolution, processed using SharpCap Pro and Registax. Image Date: March 11, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 11 March 2022

Waxing Gibbous Moon - March 10, 2022

Here is a view of the moon from March 10, 2022, 55% illuminated.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 20% of 500 frames at full resolution, processed using SharpCap Pro and Registax. Image Date: March 10, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 10 March 2022

Planetary Nebula NGC 2371/72

Here is a different looking planetary nebula designated as NGC 2371 and 2372 found in the constellation Gemini. You can just start to make out the “wings” on either side of this nebula with a 54-minute exposure. Distance to this planetary nebula is listed at 4,400 light-years.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 5, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 7 March 2022

Comet 110P/Hartley

Here is a view of Comet Hartley (110P) now in the constellation Gemini on March 4, 2022.
110P/Hartley live position and data on March 4, 2022.Right Ascension: 07h 51m 21.8s Declination: 13° 27' 44.0" (J2000)Magnitude: 16.47 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: GeminiSun Distance: 387,987,959 km [20.9 km/s] Earth Distance: 270,433,333 km [19.0 km/s]Perihelion: 21 Oct 2021 05:51 UTC [+133d 19h 8m 37s]
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: March 4, 2022 @ 01:00 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 5 March 2022

Supernova 2022fx in NGC 4348

Supernova 2022fx (ASASSN-22am) discovered on January 9, 2022 by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae. May be a bit hard to see in the left image but there is a clear white circle when you look at it under magnification. The supernova is located in the galaxy NGC 4348, a 13th magnitude galaxy found in the constellation Virgo.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: March 4, 2022 @ 01:00 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 3 March 2022

The Horsehead Nebula in Orion

Here is a wide field shot of one of the most photographed objects in the night sky, the Horsehead Nebula. The Horsehead Nebula is a diffuse dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The Horsehead Nebula is also referred to as Barnard 33 and is located inside the emission nebula IC 434 (the reddish background), it lies about 1,500 light-years away. The bright star to the left of the Horsehead Nebula is actually the star Alnitak, the leftmost star in the belt of Orion.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 48 x 300 seconds (4 hours) at -20C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus was accomplished using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: January 31, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - March 3, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 1 March 2022

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Here is a view of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken on 27 Feb 2022. Some of the gaps are from the removal of cloudy images during the run. Stats at the time the image was taken:

Right Ascension: 08h 23m 01.2s Declination: 26° 54' 37.6" (J2000)
Magnitude: 11.1 (Observed: COBS) Constellation: Cancer
Sun Distance: 273,951,572 km [26.7 km/s] Earth Distance: 140,817,219 km [23.0 km/s]
Perihelion: 23 Jan 2022 07:06 UTC [+34d 19h 27m 56s]

Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 90 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: February 21, 2022 @ 02:30 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 27 February 2022

Orion and Running Man Nebula M42 Complex

Winter imaging is not complete until you image the Orion and Running Man nebula found in the constellation Orion. This is probably one of the most photographed areas in the winter 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, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 36 x 300 seconds at -20C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: January 26, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 25 February 2022

Comet 116P/Wild 4

Here is a view of Comet 116P/Wild 4 taken on 21 Feb 2022. Stats at the time the image was taken:
Right Ascension: 09h 42m 53.8s Declination: 18° 58' 40.6" (J2000)Magnitude: 14.90 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: LeoSun Distance: 361,523,431 km [21.9 km/s] Earth Distance: 215,377,993 km [8.9 km/s]Perihelion: 10 Jul 2022 20:24 UTC [-139d 17h 53m 44s]
HISTORY: Paul Wild (Astronomical Institute, Berne University, Switzerland) on 1990 January 21.98 at a position of RA=9h 34m 31.69s, DEC=+20° 39' 39.5" (1950.0). He described the comet as strongly condensed, with a total magnitude of 13.5-14.0. There was a fan-shaped tail extending about one arc minute toward the northwest.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: February 21, 2022 @ 02:30 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 February 2022

Comet C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)

Here is a view of C/2019 L3 (ATLAS) taken on 21 Feb 2022. Stats at the time the image was taken:
Right Ascension: 06h 35m 20.8s Declination: 22° 49' 37.5" (J2000)Magnitude: 9.2 (Observed: COBS) Constellation: GeminiSun Distance: 534,885,571 km [22.3 km/s] Earth Distance: 434,198,442 km [28.1 km/s]Perihelion: 9 Jan 2022 17:57 UTC [+42d 6h 25m 32s]
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: February 21, 2022 @ 02:30 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 22 February 2022

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Here is a view of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken on 21 Feb 2022 sporting an interesting looking tail. Stats at the time the image was taken:
Right Ascension: 08h 22m 36.9s Declination: 27° 28' 17.6" (J2000)Magnitude: 10.5 (Observed: COBS) Constellation: CancerSun Distance: 266,941,984 km [27.2 km/s] Earth Distance: 129,406,197 km [21.3 km/s]Perihelion: 23 Jan 2022 07:06 UTC [+28d 19h 21m 22s]
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: February 21, 2022 @ 02:30 (UT). Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 21 February 2022

Messier 1 - The Crab Nebula in Taurus

The Crab Nebula, Messier 1, is the result of a supernova that was first observed and then recorded in Chinese astronomical writings in the year 1054. The Crab Nebula is found in the constellation Taurus and is about 6,700 light years away. This explosion was so bright that it was visible during daylight hours for over 20 days and remained visible in the night sky for over two years.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 267 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks, processed using DSS. Image Date: November 4, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 18 February 2022

Starburst Galaxy NGC1569

NGC 1569 (also known as UGC 3056 and Arp 210) is a dwarf irregular starburst galaxy nearly 11 million light-years away in the constellation Camelopardalis. NGC 1569 is a hotbed of vigorous star birth activity which blows huge bubbles and super-bubbles. The galaxy’s vigorous “star factories” are also manufacturing brilliant blue star clusters. This galaxy is exceptional in that its spectrum is blueshifted. This means that the galaxy is moving towards the Earth. In contrast, the spectra of most other galaxies are redshifted because of the expansion of the universe. (http://annesastronomynews.com/photo-gallery-ii/galaxies-clusters/ngc-1569)
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 108 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 5, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 15 February 2022

The Jellyfish Nebula IC443 in Gemini

The Jellyfish Nebula, also known by its official name IC 443, is the remnant of a supernova lying 5,000 light years from Earth in the constellation Gemini.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 60 x 300 seconds at -10C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: November 5, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
ANNOTATE VERSION

RELEASE DATE: 12 February 2022

Galaxy NGC2403 in Camelopardalis

NGC 2403 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis. NGC 2403 is an outlying member of the M81 Group, and is approximately 8 million light-years distant. Star forming regions can be seen in this galaxy.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 10 February 2022

Waxing Gibbous Moon - February 9, 2022

Last nights waxing gibbous moon, 64% illuminated.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, best 20% of 500 frames at full resolution, processed using SharpCap Pro and Registax. Image Date: February 9, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 9 February 2022

Messier 81 - Bode's Galaxy in Ursa Major

Messier 81 (M81) is a large spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is referred to as Bode’s Galaxy as it was first discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774 and later picked up by Messier and added to his catalog. The magnitude is listed at a bright 6.9 and the distance is about 11,800,000 light-years away from Earth.
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: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 108x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 6, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - February 10, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 6 February 2022

The Surfboard Galaxy M108

Messier 108 (M108 or NGC 3556), nicknamed the Surfboard Galaxy, is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy lies at an approximate distance of 45.9 million light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.7.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 89 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 5, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 3 February 2022

Edge-On Spiral Galaxy NGC 891 in Andromeda

The edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891 is what many think our own Milky Way Galaxy would look like if viewed from the edge. This galaxy is about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda and was discovered by William Herschel on October 6, 1784.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 90 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 5, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 29 January 2022

Planetary Nebula NGC 1501 in Camelopardalis

NGC 1501 lies in the constellation Camelopardalis (the Giraffe) and is roughly 5,000 light-years away. The internal complexity of this nebula is only hinted at in my image, you can see the various light and dark bands inside. It has also been referred to as the Oyster Nebula, from the bright central star peeking out of the cloudy shell around it. The surrounding cloud was formed when the central star blasted off its outer shells.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 4, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 26 January 2022

Observation of Comet C/2019 L3 (Atlas)

Here is a 60-minute combined image of the comet designated as C/2019 L3 (Atlas) as it is heading through the constellation Gemini. The comet is just past perihelion (closest approach to the sun) and heading back out into space. The comet was discovered as an asteroidal object by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). The discovery image on 10 June 2019 showed it as an 18th magnitude, apparently starlike, object moving very slowly in the constellation Lacerta.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 60 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks, processed using DSS. Image Date: January 25, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 23 January 2022

NGC 1514 - The Crystal Ball Nebula of Taurus

This planetary nebula is located right on the border of Taurus and Perseus. It is cataloged as NGC 1514 and is also known as the Crystal Ball Nebula. The magnitude, depending on the source, is listed at 10.9.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 4, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - January 24, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 20 January 2022

Galaxy NGC 1023 (Arp 135) in Perseus

Here is galaxy NGC 1023 in the constellation Perseus. From Wikipedia: NGC 1023 is a barred lenticular galaxy (magnitude 9.4) and a member of the NGC 1023 group of galaxies in the Local Supercluster. Distance measurements vary from 9.3 to 19.7 million parsecs (30 to 64 million light-years).
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: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 3, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 17 January 2022

Main-belt Asteroid Thetis

Thetis, minor planet designation 17 Thetis, is a stony asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 90 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 17 April 1852, by German astronomer Robert Luther at Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf, Germany who deferred to Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander the naming his first asteroid discovery after Thetis from Greek mythology. (Wikipedia)
The video and image show the movement of Thetis over a 90-minute period on December 13, 2021.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF, 90 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, processed using PixInsight and DSS. Image Date: December 13, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Thetis Video Link

RELEASE DATE: 14 January 2022

Open Cluster Messier 103 (M103)

This is another session on open cluster Messier 103 (M103) using the Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope operating at 1600mm.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 15 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 2, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 11 January 2022

Messier 76 – The Little Dumbbell Nebula in Perseus

The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76 (M76), NGC 650/651, is a planetary nebula in northern constellation Perseus. Distance to M76 is currently estimated as 780 parsecs or 2,500 light years. The total nebula shines at the apparent magnitude of +10.1. The Little Dumbbell Nebula derives its common name from its resemblance to the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) in Vulpecula. It was originally thought to consist of two separate emission nebulae so bears New General Catalogue numbers NGC 650 and 651.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 54 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: November 3, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 8 January 2022

Alderamin (Alpha Cephei)

Here is a quick shot of the star called Alderamin (Alpha Cephei), the brightest star in the constellation Cepheus in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to the precession of the Earth, this star will eventually replace Polaris as the North Star in the year 7500 AD.
Tech Specs: Sky Watcher Esprit 120ED, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 5 x 30 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats. Image Date: 19 Sep 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

RELEASE DATE: 5 January 2022

Star Trails - 10.5 Hours

Here is a composite image containing 340 two-minute exposures using a Lensbaby Fisheye Lens. North is at the top, you can see Polaris making a very small arc. The images were stitched together using Startrails v2.1 by Achim Schaller.
Tech Specs: Rubbermaid Cake Keeper All-Sky Setup (Canon 6D, Lensbaby Fisheye Lens, ZWO AAP, Clear Plastic Dome and dew strap). 340 x 120 seconds at ISO 2000, untracked, no calibration frames. Image date: January 3-4, 2022. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

FLICK EXPLORER IMAGE OF THE DAY - January 6, 2022

RELEASE DATE: 4 January 2022

Heart and Soul Nebula Mosaic

This two panel mosaic shows a wide field view of the Heart and Soul Nebula (IC 1805 and IC 1848). Each panel was a combined 150 minute exposure, the final mosaic stitched together using Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE). I also chose to process the image by removing the stars.
Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MC-P camera, Optolong L-eNhance 2" filter, 30 x 300 seconds at -10C 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. Captured using ZWO AAP and processed using PixInsight. Autofocus using the ProAstroGear Black-CAT and ZWO EAF. Image date: September 26 and October 27, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

Ceres_121221.mp4

RELEASE DATE: 1 January 2022

Dwarf Planet Ceres Observation

Ceres (minor-planet designation: 1 Ceres) is the largest object in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Ceres has a radius of just under 294 miles. The image shown shows Ceres in a stationary position and the stars moving, the image was processed to keep Ceres stationary and give an impression of how far it moved during this one hour and 40 minute combined exposure. The diffraction spikes on Ceres are caused by the design of the Ritchey-Chretien telescope.
The video clip shows the same time comparison and the movement of Ceres.
Tech Specs: Orion 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO ASI290MC and ASI071MC-Pro, ZWO AAPlus, ZWO EAF. 100 x 60 seconds at -10C plus darks and flats, stacked in DSS. Image Date: December 12, 2021. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

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