#astrophoto I need therapy these days. So, astro-photographs it is...This is an image of the aptly called Pac Man Nebula (NGC 281), an H II (Ionized Hydrogen) emission nebula in Cassiopeia, about 9200 ly away. You can almost hear the song...

#astrophoto Galaxies near each other is often due to perspective as “nearby” is a relative term, as distances are gigantic. In this case, we see three galaxies: top right is M65 bottom right is M66 (both discovered by Messier). On the left we see NGC 3628, discovered by Herschel.

#astrophoto In the Cygnus Loop ( a Supernova remnant Cygnus)this is NGC 6995 AKA The Bat nebula. This is a 2-color (light acquired through 2 filters). A few posts ago I showed the western part of the Loop, the Western veil. Names, for celestial objects, is just a question of perspective...

#astrophoto Cygnus the Swan is a staple of summer skies. At its head there is a star, Albireo. In a telescope it resolves as a double star, with a striking color difference between the two components. It is unknown if these two star are actually orbiting each other. I find it pretty!

#astrophotos Constellations names are...arbitrary. For example, look at Canis Minor (little dog). WHY? In the case of Triangulum (triangle) things makes sense. Within this constellation we have M33, AKA The Triangulum Galaxy. It is called a flocculent spiral galaxy. Seems appropriate...

#astrophoto Approx. 10,000 years ago a star in the general direction of Cygnus the Swan went supernova. The shock wave created the Cygnus loop. A portion of the loop has several names: NGC 6960, the Western Veil and my favorite, the Witch's Broom. This is a narrow band rendition (OIII+Halpha).

#astrophotos The Sombrero Galaxy (aka M 104 or NGC 4594) is of uncertain classification, as it has characteristics of an elliptical galaxy (no arms) and of a spiral, with prominent dust lanes. It is a odd duck! Regardless, it is …pretty 😊. Do I need to explain why it is called the Sombrero Galaxy?

#astrophotos This one is a perennial classic. Deep within the Constellation of Orion, near the Belt star Alnitak (an ARABIC name, it means "the girdle")there is a dark nebula with a star formation region behind it. Here is my version of the Horsehead nebula (sometimes astro. names make sense...)

#astrophotos The feed is ASTROphoto, but I hope this fwill be ok. This is a Gray scale of our celestial neighbor, Selene (or Luna, if you like the Romans). Phase is Waxing Gibbous (Moon's got a bump...). Still think that the Moon s not a sphere? 😁 Image taken 1-1-2023.

#astrophotos In 1054 CE something blew up in the sky. Chinese and Japanese records are better while European were a bit sparse (too busy killing each other). Regardless, in the same general area this is what can be photographed. It is M 1 AKA the Crab nebula (CRAB? Really?😆). Narrow band version.

#astrophoto I am learning to post. Retired now, but I built an observatory for my department (Physics and Astronomy). By training I am NOT an astronomer (laser spectroscopy guy) but I can run equipment well. Here's M13 (17" Planewave on a Paramount MEII and a FLI PL 16803 camera).

Zoomed in image of the Pleiades (M 45). It's ...BLUE!