Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos

[DennisN]

The Sunflower Galaxy, M63 (also called NGC 5055), in the constellation Canes Venatici, imaged from my back patio in March-April 2022.

Beautiful! Not only is it a stunning image, but it's also cool that you get sort of a "3D feel" when you look at it. Very nice!

 

[collinsmark]

NGC 2403 (also designated as C7) in the constellation Camelopardalis, imaged from my back patio during March-April 2022. The intermediate spiral galaxy is somewhere around 8 to 10 million light-years away from Earth.

NGC 2403 (shown here) has many similarities to M33, the Triangulum galaxy (not shown here), but that's a totally different galaxy.

What I find intriguing about NGC 2403 is that it doesn't have a common name. Granted, it's not unusual for galaxies not to have common names; most of them don't. Only a few dozen galaxies have common names (out of "billions and billions") and they're all relatively close to Earth (i.e., close to the Milky Way galaxy). But NGC 2403 is closer to Earth than many other galaxies that do have names, and also has a larger angular size (as seen from Earth) than many. So for a galaxy this close to Earth, and this large of angular size, it is a bit unusual for it not to have a name.

Here's a zoomed in crop showing a little more detail around NGC 2403's center:

So my first thought was that maybe NGC 2403 should have a name. Maybe "Sally" or "Charles" might be good. But then, after thinking about it for awhile, I have a different take...

Equipment:
Meade 10" LX200-ACF on an equatorial wedge.
ZWO RGB filter set.
Optolong L-Pro filter.
Baader 3.5 nm Hα filter.
Main camera: ZWO ASI6200MM-Pro.
Guide camera: ZWO ASI174MM-Mini w/off-axis guider (OAG).

Software:
Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)
PHD2 guiding (goes without saying)
PixInsight
Topaz Labs Denoise AI
Topaz Labs Sharpen AI

Integration:
Bortle class 7 (maybe 8) skies
All subframes binned 3×3
R: 66×300s = 5.5 hours
G: 83×300s = 6.92 hours
B: 48×300s = 4.00 hours
L-Pro: 100×300s = 8.33 hours
Hα: 25×600s = 4.17 hours
Total Integration Time: 28.92 hours

I've concluded that NGC 2403 doesn't need a common name, and probably wouldn't want a common name, if galaxies could want names. No, NGC 2403 is a goth galaxy. It's quirky, unconventional, intriguing, a bit odd, maybe even a little spooky, and yet it revels in the darkness and obscurity. Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about. That's my kind of galaxy. Yeah, NGC 2403 will get on just fine.

 

[DennisN]

No, NGC 2403 is a goth galaxy.

That would be a cool name, The Goth Galaxy. :)
When I first saw your image I came to think of "Polka Dot Galaxy", but "Goth Galaxy" sounds cooler.
I tried briefly to look on the net if there was a way to suggest names to the NGC, but I couldn't find any info.

 

[Oldman too]

[have a name. Maybe "Sally" or "Charles"]

When I read that, I'm thinking, why not "Bob and Alice"but got distracted by the images again and...

Anyway, I thought I'd post something but I don't have the gear or knowledge to put together anything like you guys are doing here. Very cool stuff. I decided to go with my old standby, APOD, found what I considered to be "Very cool stuff" so here's it is.
From: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap200409.html Flow of time

 

[DennisN]

Anyway, I thought I'd post something but I don't have the gear or knowledge to put together anything like you guys are doing here.

No problem! This thread actually started more like a general thread for astronomy photos and videos (I started it once upon at time), but the last couple of years there have been more photos done by PF members themselves, which is very cool.

But, by all means, go ahead and post astronomy photos or videos you like, I don't think anyone of us would mind that. I certainly wouldn't. I like such things regardless of from where it comes, and it can also be inspiring and give ideas of possible things to do.

APOD

A very nice site, one of my favorites!

 

[Oldman too]

Perseverance Mars rover used its Mastcam-Z camera system to shoot video of Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, eclipsing the Sun. It’s the most zoomed-in, highest frame-rate observation of a Phobos solar eclipse ever taken from the Martian surface.

 

[DennisN]

Perseverance Mars rover used its Mastcam-Z camera system to shoot video of Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, eclipsing the Sun. It’s the most zoomed-in, highest frame-rate observation of a Phobos solar eclipse ever taken from the Martian surface.

Marvellous clip! Something I've never seen before.

 

[DennisN]

@Andy Resnick , you shoot with Nikon and you like to travel light, if I remember correctly?

I saw and ad for a Nikon lens on facebook today:

She looks like she's waiting to blow up a tank with this gear:

...or maybe it's an anti-aircraft missile launcher?

It's the NIKKOR Z 800mm f6.3 VR S, so maybe it's not suitable for deep sky objects.
But maybe for some planets and the Moon.

 

[Andy Resnick]

@Andy Resnick , you shoot with Nikon and you like to travel light, if I remember correctly?

Interesting! That lens has a Fresnel element to reduce the weight, which is why the model can hand-hold the thing. Fortunately, I'm perfectly happy with my 40-year old 400/2.8 and don't need to mortgage my house :)

I would be interested in seeing some astrophotography using a lens containing a diffractive element, tho...

 

[DennisN]

Fortunately, I'm perfectly happy with my 40-year old 400/2.8...

That's nice. And if I understand correctly such fast vintage lenses can still cost quite a bit. I would be interested in something with similar specifications, but I haven't looked around for such lenses much on internet auction sites yet. But sometimes I see a fast tele when I'm browsing vintage lenses (ca f/2 - f/3), and they usually cost quite a bit.

...and don't need to mortgage my house :)

I know what you mean. New high-end fast tele lenses come with price tags that can give heart attacks when you see them.

 

[Andy Resnick]

That's nice. And if I understand correctly such fast vintage lenses can still cost quite a bit. I would be interested in something with similar specifications, but I haven't looked around for such lenses much on internet auction sites yet. But sometimes I see a fast tele when I'm browing vintage lenses (ca f/2 - f/3), and they usually cost quite a bit.

It was a splurge, for sure- even at 10% the cost of a new one. But it's also nice not to wish I had gotten a better lens in the first place.

 

[DennisN]

I'm reading this thread now sitting on the bus. I'm going to a new place a bit outside of the city. I hope it will be a bit better (Bortle 5 IIRC). The sky is crystal clear at the moment. :)

I'm going to see if I can get at least some of the Milky Way with my fast wide-angle lens. I'll also try some objects I quickly checked out in Stellarium.

Regretfully this was not the right time for Andromeda, Orion nor the Pleiades, which I've initially thought of trying to start with.

I hope I'll catch some stuff tonight, and if so, I'll post later in the thread.

 

[Oldman too]

Marvellous clip! Something I've never seen before.

My thoughts exactly, wonder how often the chance to shoot that comes along at Perseverance's location?

Hubble's Happy 32 birthday image.

 

[Andy Resnick]

Saturday was one of the rare moonless clear weekend nights, and I didn't want to waste a moment of it. This time of year, I am able to view 4 photogenic galaxies. Because the weather has generally been so spotty, I chose to spend a little time on each rather than choose 1 or 2. All images taken @ 800mm:

M63 (sunflower galaxy):

In total, I have about 2.5 hours viewing time on M63.

Then M51 (Whirlpool galaxy)

This one, with a total of 8 hours, is almost print-worthy. The bright stars have very clear and clean 18-point starburst patterns (from the 9-bladed iris).

Then M101 (Pinwheel galaxy):

I have accumulated 5 hours imaging this region so far and look forward to when this one is ready to print.

And finally, M104 (Sombrero galaxy):

M104 is a new one for me, this image only has 20 minutes view time.

 

[DennisN]

All images taken @ 800mm

Are you shooting with your 400mm lens and a 2x teleconverter?
(and if so, which teleconverter (model) are you using, I wonder?)

 

[Andy Resnick]

Are you shooting with your 400mm lens and a 2x teleconverter?
(and if so, which teleconverter (model) are you using, I wonder?)

Yes- when I shoot @800mm, it's my 400mm with a 2X tele (model # TC-301). Works great!

 

[Oldman too]

An extraordinary image.
From: https://www.space.com/satellites-solar-eclipse-2022-space

 

[Oldman too]

When it comes to videoing a lunar eclipse, this one takes the prize.
The moon and SDO in a race condition.
From: https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/potw/item/954
https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/assets/gallery/movies/Lunar_eclipse171cross_big.mp4

 

[DennisN]

I did not know there is going to be a lunar eclipse soon (16 May 2022).

On Wikipedia: May 2022 lunar eclipse
"The eclipse will be completely visible over most of North and South America, seen rising over Northwest North America, and the Pacific Ocean, and setting over Africa and Europe."

It will only be partial here. My gear is ready for it, but will the sky be? We'll see. Or not.

FYI: @collinsmark , @Andy Resnick , @davenn , @bruha, @Drakkith , @chemisttree, @Devin-M , @timmdeeg and others.

 

[davenn]

I did not know there is going to be a lunar eclipse soon (16 May 2022).

On Wikipedia: May 2022 lunar eclipse
"The eclipse will be completely visible over most of North and South America, seen rising over Northwest North America, and the Pacific Ocean, and setting over Africa and Europe."

It will only be partial here. My gear is ready for it, but will the sky be? We'll see. Or not.

FYI: @collinsmark , @Andy Resnick , @davenn , @bruha, @Drakkith , @chemisttree, @Devin-M , @timmdeeg and others.

Sadly not visible in Australia

 

[pinball1970]

Sadly not visible in Australia

Europe? Specifically UK? Edit: Yes Europe and Africa get some.

 

[collinsmark]

Europe? Specifically UK? Edit: Yes Europe and Africa get some.

A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in the UK.

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2022-may-16

 

[Oldman too]

A perfectly good zoom of the Crab Nebula, ruined by an asteroid.

 

[DennisN]

I did not know there is going to be a lunar eclipse soon (16 May 2022).

It will only be partial here. My gear is ready for it, but will the sky be? We'll see. Or not.

The sky is perfect, the Moon is beautiful, my gear is ready, there's very little wind and pretty nice temperature outside (nice for me, that is), and there will be a partial lunar eclipse in less than 6 hours. I'm feeling very excited!

Edit: Hmm, I checked with Stellarium and this picture, and it seems that here in Sweden it will be partial at moonset, so I have to find a better location than where I'm at if I want to see it.

 

[Drakkith]

I've had 2 hours of sleep, I'm in bed with covid, and the sky is overcast with possible showers later. Don't think I'm going to see the eclipse.

 

[Drakkith]

I've had 2 hours of sleep, I'm in bed with covid, and the sky is overcast with possible showers later. Don't think I'm going to see the eclipse.

Stepped outside when I got up to eat some soup and saw the rising moon through some wispy clouds. Might catch some of the eclipse after all.

 

[DennisN]

I went down to the waterfront, and the sky treated me nicely .
Here are two photos in the meantime (I've got some stacking to do for the Moon itself):

My view from a pier, waiting for the moonset:
(the pylons of Öresund Bridge can be seen to the right, and the pylons themselves are lit up in blue and yellow, honoring the flag of Ukraine)

A red moon setting during the partial lunar eclipse (and partly covered by clouds):

 

[Andy Resnick]

We had perfectly clear skies all week... except for one evening: 5/15, the date of the lunar eclipse. Here's the best shot I took before the clouds rolled in:

But then we had heavy cloud cover- really heavy cloud cover. The best I could manage near totality before giving up and going to bed:

But... since the rest of the week was clear, I have good images of M101 and surroundings- a total of 11.2 hours, 800/8 ISO 200, 10s subs:

And now M13 is rising. Historically, this object has served as an annual performance exam for me, since the image consists entirely of point spread functions:

2 hours total exposure, 800/8, DX format, ISO 64, 8s subs. I'm finally getting the hang of this one, after (ahem...) about 6 years of attempts. Even at 400%, the image is still acceptable:

Good color rendition, good acutance (contrast). And the bright stars have those cool sunstar effects:

 

[chemisttree]

From 390 feet AGL just before totality. Taken from a DJI Mavic Air II.

 

[DennisN]

DJI Mavic Air II

Very cool, and a cool photo! I've got a friend who has got a very nice Mavic drone with great camera (quite expensive). He's done some amazing filming with it. He can also pilot real aircraft, so I was not surprised . I've been thinking about getting a drone myself for some time, and maybe one day I will.