Roland Gooday
@misplacedphotons.bsky.social
Astrophotographer, photographer and occasional cat biographer
Our nearest galactic neighbour, the Andromeda galaxy, isn't really very pretty. Way back when, Apple pulled a satellite galaxy, M110 bottom right, out of its wallpaper for OSX to make everything more aesthetically pleasing. #science #astrophotography #astronomy
Zenithstar 61ii | Altair 26C | CEM70
Zenithstar 61ii | Altair 26C | CEM70
September 26, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Our nearest galactic neighbour, the Andromeda galaxy, isn't really very pretty. Way back when, Apple pulled a satellite galaxy, M110 bottom right, out of its wallpaper for OSX to make everything more aesthetically pleasing. #science #astrophotography #astronomy
Zenithstar 61ii | Altair 26C | CEM70
Zenithstar 61ii | Altair 26C | CEM70
This is something of a target rich environment for amateur scopes. The Dear Lick Group and Stephan's Quintet from yesterday evening, Oxfordshire, UK
115 x 180s
Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#science #astronomy #astrophotography #skywatcher
115 x 180s
Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#science #astronomy #astrophotography #skywatcher
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This is something of a target rich environment for amateur scopes. The Dear Lick Group and Stephan's Quintet from yesterday evening, Oxfordshire, UK
115 x 180s
Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#science #astronomy #astrophotography #skywatcher
115 x 180s
Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#science #astronomy #astrophotography #skywatcher
Messier 33, from last night
146 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
Oxfordshire, UK
#space #astrophotography #astronomy #science
146 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
Oxfordshire, UK
#space #astrophotography #astronomy #science
September 22, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Messier 33, from last night
146 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
Oxfordshire, UK
#space #astrophotography #astronomy #science
146 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
Oxfordshire, UK
#space #astrophotography #astronomy #science
Cygnus region, with Crescent and Veil nebulae
Somehow managed to get COVID again, but summoned just enough energy to put a regular camera out on the driveway. Feeling better now anyway.
Nikon Z6 + 85mm 1.8S | iOptron SkyTracker
106 x 60s | ISO 800 @f4 | BackyardNikon | PixInsight
#astronomy #space
Somehow managed to get COVID again, but summoned just enough energy to put a regular camera out on the driveway. Feeling better now anyway.
Nikon Z6 + 85mm 1.8S | iOptron SkyTracker
106 x 60s | ISO 800 @f4 | BackyardNikon | PixInsight
#astronomy #space
September 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Cygnus region, with Crescent and Veil nebulae
Somehow managed to get COVID again, but summoned just enough energy to put a regular camera out on the driveway. Feeling better now anyway.
Nikon Z6 + 85mm 1.8S | iOptron SkyTracker
106 x 60s | ISO 800 @f4 | BackyardNikon | PixInsight
#astronomy #space
Somehow managed to get COVID again, but summoned just enough energy to put a regular camera out on the driveway. Feeling better now anyway.
Nikon Z6 + 85mm 1.8S | iOptron SkyTracker
106 x 60s | ISO 800 @f4 | BackyardNikon | PixInsight
#astronomy #space
NGC 6888 again, from a few weeks back
Details: 174 x 180s | Altair 26C + dual band filter | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #astronomy
Details: 174 x 180s | Altair 26C + dual band filter | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #astronomy
August 25, 2025 at 12:13 PM
NGC 6888 again, from a few weeks back
Details: 174 x 180s | Altair 26C + dual band filter | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #astronomy
Details: 174 x 180s | Altair 26C + dual band filter | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #astronomy
NGC 6946 from last night. I've processed it to show up the foreground dust from our own Galaxy. I think that I may still have some internal reflection issues to fix though.
Details: 116 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #science #skywatcherusa
Details: 116 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #science #skywatcherusa
August 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
NGC 6946 from last night. I've processed it to show up the foreground dust from our own Galaxy. I think that I may still have some internal reflection issues to fix though.
Details: 116 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #science #skywatcherusa
Details: 116 x 180s | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
#astrophotography #space #science #skywatcherusa
NGC 6888 Crescent Nebula, from southern UK. Still battling guiding issues. The CEM70 mount is not really living up to expectations, it's just too high maintenance. I miss the EQ6R.
10 x 300s | Altair 26C | Skywatcher Esprit 120 + L-Extreme | iOptron CEM 70
#space #astronomy #astrophotography
10 x 300s | Altair 26C | Skywatcher Esprit 120 + L-Extreme | iOptron CEM 70
#space #astronomy #astrophotography
August 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
NGC 6888 Crescent Nebula, from southern UK. Still battling guiding issues. The CEM70 mount is not really living up to expectations, it's just too high maintenance. I miss the EQ6R.
10 x 300s | Altair 26C | Skywatcher Esprit 120 + L-Extreme | iOptron CEM 70
#space #astronomy #astrophotography
10 x 300s | Altair 26C | Skywatcher Esprit 120 + L-Extreme | iOptron CEM 70
#space #astronomy #astrophotography
Sh2-155 Cave Nebula, from southern UK. Good to be back outside with a telescope and camera now that darker skies are here again. Excuse the dust bunnies, my scope needs a clean.
35 x 180s | Altair 26C (IMX571)
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | iOptron CEM 70
#space #pixinsight #astronomy #astrophotography
35 x 180s | Altair 26C (IMX571)
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | iOptron CEM 70
#space #pixinsight #astronomy #astrophotography
July 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Sh2-155 Cave Nebula, from southern UK. Good to be back outside with a telescope and camera now that darker skies are here again. Excuse the dust bunnies, my scope needs a clean.
35 x 180s | Altair 26C (IMX571)
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | iOptron CEM 70
#space #pixinsight #astronomy #astrophotography
35 x 180s | Altair 26C (IMX571)
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | iOptron CEM 70
#space #pixinsight #astronomy #astrophotography
Just back from a trip to Rencontres Astronomiques du Printemps 2025 with some good astro-friends. The skies there were so much better than at home. This is around 5 hrs of data on M51 through an Esprit 120. #astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #space #skywatcher
June 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Just back from a trip to Rencontres Astronomiques du Printemps 2025 with some good astro-friends. The skies there were so much better than at home. This is around 5 hrs of data on M51 through an Esprit 120. #astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #space #skywatcher
Hello Blue Sky, things have been less than sub optimal recenty. My mount died, sent it off, got it back, it's mostly okay. But it's really not great. In this line of work, you absolutely have to track below 1 arc second RMS, half that is better. Currently struggling >.8 RMS. Anyway, reprocessed M106
May 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Hello Blue Sky, things have been less than sub optimal recenty. My mount died, sent it off, got it back, it's mostly okay. But it's really not great. In this line of work, you absolutely have to track below 1 arc second RMS, half that is better. Currently struggling >.8 RMS. Anyway, reprocessed M106
NGC 3718, NGC 3729 + HCG 56, from last night (UK)
April 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
NGC 3718, NGC 3729 + HCG 56, from last night (UK)
I thought it would be interesting to compare last year's Whale Galaxy image with this year's. I'd be interested to know what people think.
April 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I thought it would be interesting to compare last year's Whale Galaxy image with this year's. I'd be interested to know what people think.
The Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631) and the Hockey Stick Galaxy (NGC 4656/NGC4657), as imaged last night (UK)
93 x 300s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
NINA | PHD2
#PixInsight #Space #Astronomy #Astrophotography
93 x 300s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
NINA | PHD2
#PixInsight #Space #Astronomy #Astrophotography
April 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631) and the Hockey Stick Galaxy (NGC 4656/NGC4657), as imaged last night (UK)
93 x 300s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
NINA | PHD2
#PixInsight #Space #Astronomy #Astrophotography
93 x 300s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
NINA | PHD2
#PixInsight #Space #Astronomy #Astrophotography
Messier 88 and surrounding sky, as imaged last night, UK
72 x 300s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C
Acquired with NINA | PHD2
Processed in #Pixinsight
#Science #astronomy #space #astrophotography
72 x 300s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C
Acquired with NINA | PHD2
Processed in #Pixinsight
#Science #astronomy #space #astrophotography
April 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Messier 88 and surrounding sky, as imaged last night, UK
72 x 300s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C
Acquired with NINA | PHD2
Processed in #Pixinsight
#Science #astronomy #space #astrophotography
72 x 300s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C
Acquired with NINA | PHD2
Processed in #Pixinsight
#Science #astronomy #space #astrophotography
M100 + NGC 4312 from last night, UK
6.5hrs (78 x 300s) | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
NINA | PHD2 | PixInsight
#Space #Astrophotography #Science #Astronomy
6.5hrs (78 x 300s) | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
NINA | PHD2 | PixInsight
#Space #Astrophotography #Science #Astronomy
April 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
M100 + NGC 4312 from last night, UK
6.5hrs (78 x 300s) | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
NINA | PHD2 | PixInsight
#Space #Astrophotography #Science #Astronomy
6.5hrs (78 x 300s) | Altair 26C | Esprit 120 | CEM70
NINA | PHD2 | PixInsight
#Space #Astrophotography #Science #Astronomy
Having another run at M101 now that it's looking as though we may have some clear, moonless nights ahead of us. Here's the first ~8 hours' worth.
157 x 180s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#pixinsight #science #astronomy #astrophotography
157 x 180s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#pixinsight #science #astronomy #astrophotography
March 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Having another run at M101 now that it's looking as though we may have some clear, moonless nights ahead of us. Here's the first ~8 hours' worth.
157 x 180s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#pixinsight #science #astronomy #astrophotography
157 x 180s | Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#pixinsight #science #astronomy #astrophotography
Messier 63, Sunflower Galaxy, as imaged last night. The data was pretty dreadful, so had to work at this one. I'd love to attempt this one in clearer skies. For example, with the neighbour's garage lights out.
133x180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
133x180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
March 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Messier 63, Sunflower Galaxy, as imaged last night. The data was pretty dreadful, so had to work at this one. I'd love to attempt this one in clearer skies. For example, with the neighbour's garage lights out.
133x180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
133x180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
M66, M65 and NGC 3826 aka the Leo Triplet from last night
This data was hard earned as guiding was bad, and I am still getting up to speed with NINA. Still not entirely convinced by any of the autofocus routines.
44 x 5 mins | Altair26C | Skywatcher Esprit120 #astronomy #astrophotography #science
This data was hard earned as guiding was bad, and I am still getting up to speed with NINA. Still not entirely convinced by any of the autofocus routines.
44 x 5 mins | Altair26C | Skywatcher Esprit120 #astronomy #astrophotography #science
March 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
M66, M65 and NGC 3826 aka the Leo Triplet from last night
This data was hard earned as guiding was bad, and I am still getting up to speed with NINA. Still not entirely convinced by any of the autofocus routines.
44 x 5 mins | Altair26C | Skywatcher Esprit120 #astronomy #astrophotography #science
This data was hard earned as guiding was bad, and I am still getting up to speed with NINA. Still not entirely convinced by any of the autofocus routines.
44 x 5 mins | Altair26C | Skywatcher Esprit120 #astronomy #astrophotography #science
Added some more data to my M81/M82 session to try and get a little more IFN. Somewhat challenging to process as I'm in a Bortle 5 area.
13.25hrs x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astrophotography #astronomy #science #pixinsight
13.25hrs x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astrophotography #astronomy #science #pixinsight
March 11, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Added some more data to my M81/M82 session to try and get a little more IFN. Somewhat challenging to process as I'm in a Bortle 5 area.
13.25hrs x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astrophotography #astronomy #science #pixinsight
13.25hrs x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astrophotography #astronomy #science #pixinsight
Lugged all my telescope gear to a field 20 miles away to capture an ISS lunar transit. 12:05am, Oxfordshire UK, somewhat cloudy
#astronomy #science #NASA
Altair 26C @ 0.5ms | Esprit120 @F7
#astronomy #science #NASA
Altair 26C @ 0.5ms | Esprit120 @F7
March 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Lugged all my telescope gear to a field 20 miles away to capture an ISS lunar transit. 12:05am, Oxfordshire UK, somewhat cloudy
#astronomy #science #NASA
Altair 26C @ 0.5ms | Esprit120 @F7
#astronomy #science #NASA
Altair 26C @ 0.5ms | Esprit120 @F7
I collected a few more hours on M51 last night, so here's a reprocessed version.
340 x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #science
340 x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #science
March 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I collected a few more hours on M51 last night, so here's a reprocessed version.
340 x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #science
340 x 180s
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #pixinsight #science
I've had the telescope out on the driveway for 5 nights in a row now, which is unprecedented. I now have a good idea what it would be like to have an permanent observatory, which sadly I don't (nowhere to put one). Here's M94 from last night. 130 x 180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #astronomy #science
March 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I've had the telescope out on the driveway for 5 nights in a row now, which is unprecedented. I now have a good idea what it would be like to have an permanent observatory, which sadly I don't (nowhere to put one). Here's M94 from last night. 130 x 180s | Esprit 120 | CEM70 #astronomy #science
A fellow astrophotographer pointed out that I'd got some quasars in the frame - one of these is 10 Billion light years away. Mind blown.
March 4, 2025 at 8:02 AM
A fellow astrophotographer pointed out that I'd got some quasars in the frame - one of these is 10 Billion light years away. Mind blown.
The UK weather is being unusually kind just now. Here's a planetary nebula and a few galaxies, from last night.
M108 (Surfboard galaxy), M97 (Owl Nebula)
176 x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
M108 (Surfboard galaxy), M97 (Owl Nebula)
176 x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
March 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The UK weather is being unusually kind just now. Here's a planetary nebula and a few galaxies, from last night.
M108 (Surfboard galaxy), M97 (Owl Nebula)
176 x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
M108 (Surfboard galaxy), M97 (Owl Nebula)
176 x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Skywatcher Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#PixInsight #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Science
Messier 106 and a fair few other galaxies, some quite distant, from last night
4hr39m x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #science #skywatcher
4hr39m x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #science #skywatcher
March 2, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Messier 106 and a fair few other galaxies, some quite distant, from last night
4hr39m x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #science #skywatcher
4hr39m x 180s, Oxfordshire UK
Esprit 120 | Altair 26C | CEM70
#astronomy #astrophotography #science #skywatcher