CDAA

Hale Bopp in Perseus 21.24 - 21.28UT 6 April 1997.

The comet was truly spectacular that night. The dust tail curving to the north-east was seen for over 10 degrees with the naked eye and the nucleus appeared virtually as bright as Sirius the other side of the sky. Note also the blue ion tail, not seen visually, composed of ion particles and extending northwards towards the Alpha Persei Association. 50mm Zuiko lens at f2.8 mounted piggyback on driven 10inch LX200. 4 mins exposure.

Hale Bopp below Cassiopeia low in the northern sky. 22.30UT 19 March 1997.

50mm Zuiko lens at f1.8 mounted piggyback on driven 10inch LX200. 30 secs exposure. Rated at 400 ISO. (The overall 'blue' appearance of this shot, we think is due to the sensitivity of the film used)

Hale Bopp and M34 22.02 – 22.09UT 6 April 1997.

This close-up image captured Hale Bopp as it was passing between us and the open star cluster Messier 34 in Perseus due to a line of sight configuration. Note the concentrated streamer of ion particles in the centre of the blue ion tail appearing to flow directly across the core of the star cluster. 200mm Zuiko lens at f4 mounted piggyback on a 10inch LX 200 which was being guided on the comet nucleus. 8 mins exposure.

Hale Bopp and the author's telescope 20.10UT 9 April 1997.

An improvised shot taken with an OM1 on top of a stepladder when the author realised a photo opportunity of silhouetting his LX200 against a beautiful western twilight sky containing Hale Bopp, the Moon, the Pleiades and Hyades! The comet's tail is visible on the original but unfortunately has not slide-copied well. 28mm Hannimex lens at f2.8. 25 secs exposure.

Signpost to Hale Bopp (About 100 million miles this way!) 22.02UT 14 April 1997.

Some artistic licence was employed to compose this shot of Hale Bopp and a public footpath sign in the countryside, taken in moonlight. 50mm Zuiko lens at f1.8 on a tripod. 30 secs exposure.

M27 Dumbbell Nebula 27 Sept 2011

27x30sec exps Canon 350D 1600ISO through unguided 10 inch classic LX200 working at f6.3. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker with dark, bias, and flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

M57 Ring Nebula 1 Oct 2011

51x30sec exps Canon 350D 1600ISO through unguided 10 inch classic LX200 working at f6.3. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker with dark, flat, and dark flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

NGC 7000 North America Nebula and IC5067-70 Pelican Nebula.

Canon 350D 200mm Zuiko lens at f5.6 with Astronomik CLS filter on Astrotrac at 1600 ISO. 11x 7min exps stacked in DeepSkyStacker with darks, bias, flats, and dark flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

M42/43 Orion Nebula 18/19 Dec 2011.

75x20sec exps unmodified Canon 350D 1600ISO through a "field set up" unguided 10 inch classic LX200 working at f6.3. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker with dark, bias and flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

M81 Galaxy 03 April 2012.

35 x 2 min exps unmodified Canon 350D 1600 ISO through an unguided 10 inch classic LX200 working at f6.3 on field tripod. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker with dark, flat and dark flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

Core of M31 Andromeda Galaxy 03 April 2012.

69 x 20 sec exps unmodified Canon 350D 1600 ISO through an unguided 10 inch classic LX200 working at f6.3 on field tripod. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker with dark, flat and dark flat frames and processed in Photoshop.

Bright Perseid in W Cygnus / N Lyra 9 Aug 2012

2 min exp Canon 350D 28mm lens stopped down to f5.6 1600 ISO through Astronomik CLS filter mounted on Astrotrac. Processed in Photoshop and slightly cropped.

South Orion 15 Jan 2013

40 x 2 min exps modded Canon 600D with 200mm Zuiko lens stopped down to f5.6. 800 ISO. Through Astronomik CLS filter and mounted on Astrotrac. Calibrated and stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks, flats and dark flats and processed in Photoshop.

Horsehead Nebula B.33& Flame Nebula NGC 2024 15 Jan 2013

Enlargement of the 'South Orion' Image above

Orion Nebula M42/43 & Running Man Nebula NGC 1977 15 Jan 2013

Enlargement of the 'South Orion' Image

B.33 Horsehead Nebula & NGC 2023 Reflection Nebula 2 Feb 2013

97 x 30 sec exps with modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS filter at 3200 ISO using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” unguided 10 inch Meade Classic LX200 working at f6.3 on a field tripod. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with dark, flat and dark flat frames and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image.

Where is Nova Delphini 16/17 Aug 2013 (2 days after discovery)

Image taken by David together with constallation chart to show position of Nova Delphini.

Nova Delphini 16/17 Aug 2013 (2 days after discovery)

Single 1 min exp Canon 350D 135mm lens stopped down to f5.6 400 ISO mounted on Astrotrac. Stacked with dark frames using DeepSkyStacker and minor processing in Photoshop. Cropped to centre the Nova, magnitude estimated at 4.4 at time. .

Comet Jacques and the Heart and Soul Nebulae 19th Aug 2014

Three 3 min exps at ISO 1600. Modded Canon 600D using Zuiko 200mm f4 lens fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac.

Towards the Centre of the Milky Way June 22/23 2014 from Rhodes

10 x 3 min exps. Modded Canon 600D with 50mm Zuiko lens stopped down to f4. 800 ISO. Through Astronomik CLS filter and mounted on Astrotrac. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and processed in Photoshop.

Flame Nebula NGC 2024 immediately east of Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) 19 Jan 2017

202 x 30 sec unguided exposures taken with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” unguided Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image stand alone version. 2nd magnitude Alnitak was placed outside of the imaging field but its bright blue light has spread into the stacked image for useful contrast effect.

Pillar in the Cygnus Wall of the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) Oct 2 2016

40 x 2 min subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod and guided by a StarlightXpress Lodestar Autoguider. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop. The H Alpha sensitive camera brought out the fluorescing Ionisation Front of the “Pillar”and “Wall”quite well.

Kemble’s Cascade in Camelopardalis Nov 29 2016

Crop from a 30 sec exposure at ISO 6400 taken through a Canon 600D with a Zuiko 200 mm lens stopped down to f5.6, mounted on an Astrotrac camera platform. Processed in Photoshop as a monochrome image. The chain of some 20 stars of 5th to 10 magnitude appears to cascade down to the small open cluster NGC 1502.

The Core of the Orion Nebula (M42) Dec 30 2013

Crop from 147 x 20 sec unguided subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop. The H Alpha sensitive camera has brought out well in red the ionization front known as “the Cliff” on the SE side of the olive green coloured Huygenian Region. This is where the edge of a tall cold cloud of molecular hydrogen is fluorescing due to the intense radiation pressure from the young hot giant stars of the Trapezium. Also seen are chains of small round red brown hydrogen clouds probably being gradually evaporated by the Trapezium stars powerful stellar winds.

The Core of the Rosette Nebula (NGC 2244) Feb 10 2016

142 x 30 sec unguided subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop & Neat Image stand alone version. The young hot cluster stars have blown a hole in the centre of the nebula with their intense stellar winds.

Barnard’s “E” Dark Nebulae (B142 & 143) in Aquila Aug 8 2015

25 x 2min exps taken with a 200 mm Zuiko lens stopped down to f5.6, using an Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600, mounted on an Astrotrac driven camera platform. Stacked with darks in DeepSkyStacker version Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop. The glare from Altair appears at lower left.

Comet C 2014Q2 Lovejoy Passing the Pleiades 18 Jan 2015

11 x 3min exps taken with a Zuiko 200 mm f4 lens using an Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600, mounted on an Astrotrac driven camera platform. Stacked with darks and flats in DeepSkyStacker version Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop.

Pipe Nebula in Ophiuchus 22/23 June 2014 from Rhodes

Crop from 10 x 3 min exps. Modded Canon 600D with 50 mm Zuiko lens stopped down to f4. 800 ISO. Through Astronomik CLS clip[filter and mounted on Astrotrac. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image stand alone version.

Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae (M8 & M20) 24/25 June 2014 from Rhodes

Crop from 20 x 2 min exps. Modded Canon 600D with 200 mm Zuiko lens stopped down to f5.6. 1600 ISO. Through Astronomik CLS filter and mounted on Astrotrac. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and processed in Photoshop.

NGC 4565 (Needle Galaxy) Edge-On Spiral Galaxy in Coma Berenices May 3-4 2014

Crop from 23 x 5 min subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod and guided by a StarlightXpress Lodestar Autoguider. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks, flats and bias frames and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image stand alone version. This giant spiral galaxy is 40 –50 million light years away. It’s mag 13.5 satellite galaxy NGC 4562 lies at lower right.

Markarian’s Chain of Galaxies in Virgo April 14-15 2015

Crop from 32 x 2 min subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a Zuiko 200mm lens at f4 mounted on an Astrotrac tracking camera platform. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats, processed in Photoshop and Neat Image stand alone version and presented as a monochrome image. These galaxies are at the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster 50 - 60 million light years away and include M84 and M86.

M82 (Cigar Galaxy) & Supernova SN2014J in Ursa Major March 1 - 2 2014

Taken just over 5 weeks after the supernova was discovered on January 21 2014. 240 x 30 sec unguided exposures taken with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 1600 using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken through a “field set up” unguided Classic 10” Meade LX200 working at f5 on a field tripod. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop. The supernova is the bright star in the lower half of the “cigar”, just below the orange nucleus of the galaxy. At the time the magnitude of the SN was about 11.5 compared to magnitude 10.5 at maximum on January 31st. At its distance of 11.5 million light years this was the nearest type 1a supernova (giant exploding star) in over 40 years.

Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24) August 3 – 4 2016

26 x 1 min subs at ISO 1600. Modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken with a 300 mm lens at f5.6 on an Astrotrac camera tracking mount. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks, flats and bias frames and processed in Photoshop. The pink colour of the Star Cloud is due to intervening interstellar dust between us and M24 which lies at the great distance of 10,000 – 16,000 light years.

Scutum Star Cloud & M11 Open Star Cluster August 8 2015

15 x 2 min subs at ISO 800. Modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter using a Canon Remote Controller. Taken with a Zuiko 200 mm lens stopped down to f5.6 and mounted on an Astrotrac camera tracking mount. Then stacked in DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with dark frames and processed in Photoshop.” The Scutum Star Cloud, with the M11 Wild Duck Cluster to its east, lie 6,000 light years away in the next spiral arm towards the galactic centre and are surrounded by various dark nebulae in this image.

Barnard’s Loop in Orion January 4 – 5 2014

6 x 2 min subs with a modded Canon 600D fitted with Astronomik CLS clip filter at ISO 800. Taken through a Zuiko 50mm lens stopped down to f4 and mounted on an Astrotrac tracking camera platform. The images were stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with dark frames and processed in Photoshop, including a plug-in GradientXterminator to smooth out gradients. This emission nebula, now forming a huge arc, is thought to have originated in a supernova explosion 2 million years ago in the vicinity of the Orion Nebula.

Close Up of Comet 17/P Holmes Coma and Nucleus November 16 2007

Single 30 sec unguided exposure through a 10” Classic LX200 at f6.3 on a field tripod. Taken using a Canon 350D. Small amount of processing with Photoshop and Neat Image stand alone version. The inner and outer Coma and small Nucleus are all visible in this short exposure. This was the apparition in which this small periodic comet increased in brightness from magnitude 17 to 2.8 in only 42 hours!

Comet Neowise 2020 F3 By the Great Bear's Front Paw July 19-20 2020

23 x 30 sec subs ISO 1600. Zuiko 135mm f4 lens at f5.6 taken with Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop.

Comet Neowise 2020 F3 Displays Long Ion Tail in SW Ursa Major July 20-21 2020

22 x 30 sec subs at ISO 1600. Zuiko 50mm f1.8 lens at f4 taken with Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop. The Comet's faint blue ion tail extends well over 10 degrees, passing just to the west of Merak [upper centre].

Comet Neowise 2020 F3 in Eastern Auriga July 11-12 2020

12 x 30 sec subs at ISO1600. Zuiko 200mm f4 lens at f5.6 taken with modified Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop.

Comet Neowise 2020 F3 in Lynx July 17-18 2020

22 x 30 sec subs at ISO 1600. Zuiko 50mm f1.8 lens at f4 taken with modified Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop. Both the blue ion tail and yellowish dust tail extend to the top of the image.

Comet Neowise 2020 F3 Buzzes the Plough July 22-23 2020

58 x 30 sec subs at ISO 1600. Hannimex 28mm f2.8 lens at f5.6 taken with modified Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter and mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop.

Western Veil Nebula NGC 6960 in Cygnus Aug 18-19 2020

166 x 30 sec unguided subs at ISO 1600 taken with modified Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik light pollution clip filter through Meade 10 inch LX200 ACF on field tripod. Scope at f5.5 through OAG operating as a focal reducer. Images stacked in DeepSkyStacker 3.3.3 Beta 47 and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image standalone. Although the Canon 600D was modified to be more sensitive to hydrogen alpha I was surprised at how much blue-green doubly ionised oxygen was recorded in this image. The nebula, the western segment of the massive Cygnus Loop Supernova Remnant, was not seen visually, just centred on the bright foreground star 52 Cygni.

Eastern Veil Nebula NGC 6992 in Cygnus Sept 13 - 14 2020

185 x 30 sec unguided subs at ISO 1600. Same equipment set up and processing as for Western Veil on Aug 18 - 19. This cropped image shows the central and southern part of the Eastern Veil NGC 6992, showing its rope like structure, as well as part of the Network Nebula NGC 6995 below. This part of the Cygnus Loop Supernova Remnant lies over 3 degrees and 130 lys east of the Western Veil at its estimated distance of 2,400 lys.

NGC 6995 Network or Bat Nebula in Cygnus Sept 14 - 15 2020

213 x 30 sec unguided subs at ISO 1600. Same equipment set up and processing as for Western Veil on Aug 18 - 19. Cropped image with North to the right to better show the intricate, dynamic detail of this part of the Cygnus Loop SNR. The tops of the "ears" of the Bat are visible in the blue green emissions of doubly ionised oxygen whilst the bat's left "wing" shows up prominently in the centre of the image in the red of hydrogen alpha, near part of the Eastern Veil NGC 6992.

Mosaic of NGC 6992 & 6995 in Cygnus Sept 13 - 15 2020

A cropped mosaic of the previous two images using the freeware Microsoft Ice. North is to the right.

Pickering's (Fleming's) Triangular Wisp Simeis 3 - 188 in Cygnus Sept 20 - 21 2020

287 x 30 sec unguided subs at ISO 1600. Same equipment set up and processing as for other Cygnus Loop SNR images in Aug/Sept 2020. This part of the Cygnus Loop was intrinsically by far the faintest extended nebulosity that I have taken so far. Even this nearly 2.5 hours total stacked image only shows the brightest parts. The Millennium Star Atlas had to be consulted to check that it was the right star field as no nebulosity was apparent in test shots. It is certainly wispy in appearance! To me in this cropped image the red hydrogen alpha filaments look rather like the branches of a tree with blue green "catkins" of doubly ionised oxygen emissions hanging from the branches!

Rosette Nebula in Monoceros Feb 23-25 2019

Crop from 149 x 30 sec subs at ISO 1600. Modified Canon 600D DSLR with Zenithstar 61 refractor mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image Standalone version. Dark filaments prominent to east of central young cluster NGC 2244.

Horsehead & Flame Nebulae in Orion Jan 28-29 2019

Crop from 138 x 30 sec subs at ISO1600. Modified Canon 600D DSLR with Zenithstar 61 refractor mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop and Neat Image Standalone version.

Cygnus Loop Supernova Remnant Aug 10-11 2018

85 x 30 sec subs at ISO1600. Modified Canon 600D DSLR with Zenithstar 61 refractor mounted on Astrotrac tracking mount. Stacked using DeepSkyStacker Beta 47 with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop. Photoshop multi-stage method used to reduce stars to bring out the faint nebulae, including Pickering's Triangular Wisp.

Supernova SN 2023ixf in M101 Pinwheel Galaxy May 24-25 2023

Taken just five days after the Supernova was discovered on May 19 2023. 221 x 30 sec unguided subs at ISO1600 taken with a modified Canon 600D DSLR fitted with Astronomik CLS clip light pollution filter. Taken through a "field set-up" unguided Meade 10 inch LX200 ACF working at f5.5 on a field tripod. Then registered and stacked in DeepSkyStacker with darks and flats and processed in Photoshop.

The Supernova's position (marked on the image) was immediately obvious in the eastern spiral arm in a single 30 sec test shot prior to stacking! At the time the Supernova was probably at maximum light, about mag 11, compared to its discovery magnitude of 14.9. This type II Supernova (core collapse giant exploding star), 21 million light years away, was the nearest and brightest since Supernova SN 2014J in January 2014 in M82 (the Cigar Galaxy).

M42/43 Orion Nebula 2023 Jan 12/13

Unguided classic 10 inch LX200 f5.5. Modified Canon 600D with Astronomik light pollution filter. 180 x30 sec subs at ISO1600. Software DeepSkyStacker, Photoshop and Affinity Photo tone mapping.

Milky Way in N.Cygnus 14-15 Aug 2017

Lower centre is the North America and Pelican Nebulae to the left of Deneb and the Butterfly Nebula bottom right around Sadr. However, as well as showing the large emission nebula IC1396 in Cepheus at the top of the image, it nicely picks up what is now nicknamed the Funnel Cloud Dark Nebula, (also known as Le Gentil 3) above centre, the long dark narrow passage of Barnard 168 leading to the Cocoon Nebula at far left and the Northern Coal Sack dark nebula between Deneb and Sadr. Equipment used was a Zuiko 50mm lens stopped down to f4 attached to a modified Canon 600D DSLR with Astronomik light pollution clip filter mounted on an Astrotrac tracking mount. 9 x 2 min subs at ISO 800 were taken with darks, flats and bias frames which were then stacked in DeepSkyStacker and processed in Photoshop including GradientXterminator plug in.

The Great Rift in Cygnus 14-15 Aug 2017

The Great Rift dark nebulosity can be seen extending down from Deneb at top to the bottom of this image, hiding thousands of stars beyond it. However, many emission nebulae can be seen, including the North America and Pelican Nebulae left of Deneb, nebulae around the central star of the "cross" Sadr and many stars of the Cygnus Starcloud to the right of the Great Rift. Equipment used was a Zuiko 50mm lens stopped down to f4 attached to a modified Canon 600D DSLR with Astronomik light pollution clip filter mounted on an Astrotrac tracking mount. 9 x 2 min subs at ISO 800 were taken with darks, flats and bias frames which were then stacked in DeepSkyStacker and processed in Photoshop including GradientXterminator plug in.