Description:
This image of IC 434, the Horsehead Nebula, was captured using only broadband filters and a small 382mm refractor. The nebula lies in the constellation Orion, close to some of its most famous stars. It stretches behind Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion’s Belt, whose brilliant light dominates the scene and adds a striking contrast to the faint glow of the nebula.The Horsehead Nebula itself appears as a dark silhouette against the glowing curtain of hydrogen gas, its distinct shape formed by dense interstellar dust. Nearby, the Flame Nebula also contributes to the drama of the region, with its fiery orange hues and intricate structure.

Using broadband filters allowed me to bring out the natural colors of this iconic region, balancing the intense starlight from Alnitak with the more delicate features of the nebula. The 382mm refractor provided a wide enough field of view to include these stunning cosmic landmarks while resolving the fine details of the Horsehead's silhouette and the surrounding nebulosity.
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Equipment:
Telescope: William Optics Gran Turismo 81 IV / GT81 IV
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filters:

Chroma Lum 36 mm

Chroma Red 36 mm

Chroma Green 36 mm
Chroma Blue 36 mm

Accessories: William Optics Flat6A III


Acquisition details


Date:
Jan. 18, 2023


Frames:
Chroma Blue 36 mm: 20×180″(1h)
Chroma Green 36 mm: 18×180″(54′)
Chroma Lum 36 mm: 69×180″(3h 27′)
Chroma Red 36 mm: 20×180″(1h)


Total Integration:
6h 21′


Locations: Al Salmy Desert, Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait

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Description:

Bode’s Galaxy, also known as Messier 81 (M81), is a grand-design spiral galaxy located approximately 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Slightly smaller than our Milky Way, M81 spans about 90,000 light-years in diameter but shares a similar mass and structure, featuring prominent spiral arms rich in star-forming regions and interstellar dust. This well-defined structure makes it one of the most studied galaxies in the night sky.

The image of M81 was captured using a 9.25-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope at a focal length of 1635mm under the exceptionally dark skies of the Al Salmi Desert in Kuwait. A total of 15 hours of integration was dedicated to this project, including several hours of hydrogen-alpha (Ha) data. Incorporating Ha data is significant because it highlights regions of ionized hydrogen gas, typically associated with areas of intense star formation. This additional layer of information brings out the glowing red nebulae within M81’s spiral arms, providing a deeper understanding of its structure and star-forming activity.

M81 is named after the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode, who first recorded its position in 1774. Bode described it as a "nebula without stars," a testament to the limited technology of his era. Today, it stands as a testament to our cosmic curiosity and technological progress, often studied alongside its galactic neighbor, M82, with which it interacts gravitationally. This interaction has triggered starburst activity in M82 and subtly influenced M81’s structure, offering a glimpse into the dynamic relationships between galaxies in the universe.

Dates:
Luminance (2/16/2023):
Ha (3/17/2023)
RGB (3/22/2023)


Integration:

Chroma Blue 36 mm: 31×180″(1h 33′)
Chroma Green 36 mm: 31×180″(1h 33′)
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm: 71×300″(5h 55′)
Chroma Lum 36 mm: 108×180″(5h 24′)
Chroma Red 36 mm: 31×180″(1h 33′)


Total: 15h 58′

Equipment:
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 9.25"
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filters:
-Chroma Blue 36 mm
-Chroma Green 36 mm
-Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm
-Chroma Lum 36 mm · Chroma Red 36 mm

Accessories:
-Celestron 0.7X Reducer EdgeHD925 (94245)
-ZWO EFW 7 x 36mm

Locations: Al Salmy Desert, Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait

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Description:
Nestled amidst the celestial splendor of Orion, M78 emerges as a mesmerizing portrait of interstellar artistry. This iconic reflection nebula, located about 1,350 light-years away, owes its ethereal glow to the light of young, massive stars scattering off the surrounding cosmic dust. Captured with a precision 9.25-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope at a focal length of 1635mm, this image delves into the heart of one of the Orion molecular cloud complex's brightest treasures. Dark tendrils of dust weave through the nebula like veins, while the faint blue haze hints at the energetic processes shaping this stellar nursery. In the proximity of neighboring giant nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42) and Barnard's Loop, M78 feels like a hidden jewel in the vast tapestry of cosmic creation. This detailed view not only highlights its scientific importance as a site of active star formation but also invites the viewer to imagine the dynamic forces at work in this bustling galactic neighborhood.

Equipment:
Telescopes: Celestron EdgeHD 9.25"
Camera: ToupTek 2600MC
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro
Filter: Optolong L-Ultimate 2"
Accessories: Celestron 0.7X Reducer EdgeHD925

Acquisition details:

Dates:
Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025

Frames:
RGB: 264×300″(22h)
Optolong L-Ultimate 2": 84×300″(7h)

Integration: 29h
Avg. Moon age: 2.09 days
Avg. Moon phase: 6.24%

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Description:

The Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118) is a reflection nebula located near the bright star Rigel in the constellation Orion. This nebula is known for its unique shape, which resembles the face of a witch wearing a pointed hat, although I’ve never understood the comparison. The nebula glows with a faint blue color due to the reflection of Rigel’s strong light off the cosmic dust within it. The blue color is caused by the scattering of short-wavelength light by the dust particles, the same phenomenon that makes the sky appear blue on Earth.

The Witch Head Nebula spans a vast area estimated to be about 50 light-years across, making it one of the largest known reflection nebulae. It is located approximately 900 light-years away from Earth, and its material is believed to consist of remnants of ancient stars and cosmic events that contributed to the formation of this unique nebula.

Acquisition details

Dates:

January 2nd 2025

January 3rd 2025


Frames:

Hydrogen Alpha 3nm: 66×300″(5h 30′)

Blue: 42×300″(3h 30′)

Green: 42×300″(3h 30′)

Red: 39×300″(3h 15′)

Luminance: 177×300″(14h 45′)


Integration:

30h 30′


Avg. Moon age:

3.13 days


Avg. Moon phase:

10.93%

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​Description:
This image of The Jellyfish Nebula, also known as IC 443 or Sharpless 248, was taken over the span of 2 nights using a double telescope setup at a focal length of 782mm and an aperture of 140mm. The Jellyfish Nebula is a stunning supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini, near the bright star Propus (Eta Geminorum). Positioned approximately 5,000 light-years away, it is the aftermath of a massive star that exploded in a supernova around 30,000 years ago. The nebula’s distinctive shape resembles a jellyfish, with a rounded, arched “body” and trailing “tentacles” of glowing gas extending outward. These intricate, filamentary structures were formed by shockwaves from the supernova interacting with the surrounding interstellar gas and dust.

The nebula’s vibrant colors are often revealed in long-exposure astrophotography, with dominant hues of red and orange emitted by ionized hydrogen (Hα) and sulfur (SII), while hints of blue-green signal oxygen (OIII) emissions. Spanning roughly 70 light-years, the Jellyfish Nebula appears about 50 arcminutes in diameter, making it comparable in size to the full moon when viewed from Earth. However, its faintness, with an apparent magnitude of +12, poses a challenge for visual observers, requiring telescopes and filters to reveal its intricate beauty.

Embedded within a molecular cloud complex, the Jellyfish Nebula provides a fascinating site for studying the interactions between supernova remnants and their environments. The core of the explosion likely left behind a dense neutron star or pulsar, further adding to its scientific intrigue. Its unique appearance and rich scientific background make the Jellyfish Nebula a favorite among astronomers and astrophotographers, symbolizing the transformative power of stellar death and the breathtaking artistry of the cosmos.

Equipment:
Imaging Telescope: Askar 140APO
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters:
Chroma H-alpha 3nm Bandpass 36 mm
Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm
Antlia Blue 36 mm · Antlia Green 36 mm
Antlia Red 36 mm

Accessories: Askar 0.8x Full Frame Reducer / Flattener for 140APO Telescope

Dates:
Dec. 31, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025

Frames:
Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 199×300″(16h 35′)
Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 189×300″(15h 45′)
Antlia Blue 36 mm: 20×60″(20′)
Antlia Green 36 mm: 20×60″(20′)
Antlia Red 36 mm: 20×60″(20′)

Integration: 33h 20′
Avg. Moon age: 1.06 days
Avg. Moon phase: 1.55%

Locations: Al Salmy Desert, Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait

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