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.

 

[collinsmark]

The Cigar Galaxy, also called M82, in the constellation Ursa Major, imaged from my back patio in April, 2022. M82 is a starburst galaxy, meaning it is undergoing an exceptionally high rate of star formation. The galaxy is about 12 million light-years away.

The term "starburst" is also the name of type of candy. Try as I might, I can't determine for certain which came first: the name of the candy or the astrophysics term. It would make sense that the astrophysics term came first, but I don't know.

Speaking of candy, I remember "candy cigarettes" as a child (different from the "Starburst" candy). They looked like cigarettes, but they were actually hard candy. Children, including my young and naive self, would pretend to smoke while eating them. They are not made anymore. That's probably for the best.

Here's a zoomed in crop of the image, showing a little more detail I struggled to eke out of the data.

Even crazier than candy cigarettes were the exploding cigars that were popular from the beginning through the middle of the 20th century. These were explosive caps that could be put into cigars that would explode as a practical joke. Could you imagine that today? "Hey, quick, come watch: we're going to cause a chemical explosion to blow up just inches in front of Bob's face. As a joke!" They don't make those anymore. 'Probably for the best.

Equipment:
Meade 10" LX200-ACF on an equatorial wedge.
ZWO RGB filter set (for color data).
Optolong L-Pro filter (for luminance data).
Baader 3.5 nm Hα filter (for the hydrogen emission data, for that extra, red punch).
Off-axis guider with ZWO ASI174MM-Mini.
ZWO ASI6200MM-Pro as main camera.

Software:
Nighttime Imaging & Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)
PHD2 guiding (of course)
PixInsight
Topaz Labs Denoise AI
Topaz Labs Sharpen AI

Usually I add the hydrogen alpha (Hα) to the RGB data before combining the luminance data. But in this image, I added the Hα after constructing the LRGB image. This way, those red squirts pop out a little better.

Integration:
Bortle class 7 (maybe 8) skies
All subframes binned 3×3
L-Pro: 110×240sec = 7.33 hours
R: 60×240sec = 4.00 hours
G: 49×240sec = 3.27 hours
B: 61×240sec = 4.07 hours
Hα: 49×600sec = 8.17 hours
Total integration time: 26.83 hours

 

[DennisN]

(I've got some stacking to do for the Moon itself):

Here's a stacked photo of the Moon during the partial lunar eclipse 16 May 2022:
(the Moon was very low on the horizon at the moment)

Camera and lens: Sony A6000 + Tokina 400mm f/6.3 + 2x teleconverter.
Camera settings: 1/1000s exposure, ISO 1600.
Stacked with AutoStakkert (25% best of 79 photos).
Some postprocessing in Photoshop (levels adjustment and contrast adjustment).

 

[Oldman too]

Children, including my young and naive self, would pretend to smoke while eating them. They are not made anymore. That's probably for the best.

Great images!

Same here, sadly as a society, we are slow learners.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FXC14S/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Also: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01420-9 I hate the concept of "unsustainable"

In the interest of thread continuity, From APOD, 05/27. https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/2022/hubble-captures-pair-of-star-forming-spirals

 

[pinball1970]

Big meteor shower on Monday, you will have a good view in the states according to NASA. Comet SW3 breaking up.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science...ids-meteor-shower-peak-may-2022-how-watch-uk/

 

[Oldman too]

Big meteor shower on Monday, you will have a good view in the states according to NASA. Comet SW3 breaking up.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science...ids-meteor-shower-peak-may-2022-how-watch-uk/

Some more detail on the show.
https://www.amsmeteors.org/2022/05/possible-meteor-outburst-on-may-3031/

 

[pinball1970]

Some more detail on the show.
https://www.amsmeteors.org/2022/05/possible-meteor-outburst-on-may-3031/

My source who is also a pf member @Astranut (and gives me these space tasty tit bits) said all was cloudy here in the UK, Manchester between 1am-5am.
Any luck in the States I wonder?

 

[Oldman too]

Any luck in the States I wonder?

Locally speaking, unless cloud cover counts as luck, nope.
This site is particularly useful for an astronomical "heads up" including weather stats for particular events as well as other viewing details. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2022-november-8
As you will see, the western U.S. gets to share a total lunar eclipse with New Zealand, Japan etc. on that particular date. Locally speaking, I can statistically expect an 80% chance of clouds for the event (the optimist in me sees a 20% chance of a good show though).

 

[Devin-M]

...been a while... made it out last night to image...

Sombrero Galaxy (M104)
Distance: 31 Mly Diameter: 49000 ly
Camera: Nikon D800
Scope: 6" diameter Maksutov Cassegrain
Focal Length 2180mm

 

[Devin-M]

A couple more shots of the venerable Star Adventurer 2i equatorial mount overloaded probably around 4x above the weight limit (it’s a very capable little equatorial mount for the $449USD price tag)... I think you’re only supposed to have 10-12lbs on there but it’s probably supporting around 40+ lbs as pictured… the 2nd camera with 600mm lens and video panhead is there purely as counterweight…

 

[DennisN]

I think you’re only supposed to have 10-12lbs on there but it’s probably supporting around 40+ lbs as pictured… the 2nd camera with 600mm lens and video panhead is there purely as counterweight

Put a little more on it and it will turn into a black hole. :)

 

[Devin-M]

Put a little more on it and it will turn into a black hole. :)

Fun fact: the Sombrero Galaxy contains the nearest black hole to the Earth that has more than 1 billion solar masses…

 

[collinsmark]

M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy, captured from my back patio in April, 2022. M101 is a large spiral galaxy, about twice the size (more or less) of our own Milky Way. It's about 20 million light-years away, and can be seen in the constellation Ursa Major.

Something is interesting regarding M101's central, supermassive black hole (SMBH), assuming it even has one (most galaxies do). It lacks the typical radio and x-ray emissions indicative of a SMBH, leading some to suspect that it might not have a SMBH at its center. Whatever the case, it's a curiosity.

Equipment:
Meade 10" LX200-ACF on an equatorial wedge.
Off-axis guider (OAG) with ZWO ASI174MM-mini
ZWO RGB filter set for color data.
Optolong L-Pro filter for luminance data.
Baader 3.5 nm Hα filter for those deep red, hydrogen regions.
ZWO ASI6200MM-Pro main camera.

(Here's a zoomed in crop showing showing some central detail.)

Software:
Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)
PHD2 guiding (of course)
PixInsight
Topaz Labs Denoise AI
Topaz Labs Sharpen AI

M101's appearance is reminiscent of a pinwheel, hence its name. I fondly remember being fascinated by the aerodynamics of pinwheels when I was a bit younger. I would start with a couple of squares of colored paper. I would then carefully fold and cut the pieces of paper into pinwheel shapes, before attaching the "wheels" to plastic rods: typically drinking straws. Then I would hold one pinwheel in each hand, extended upward and outward, and gleefully run around in circles like a freak. And that was just a couple of weeks ago.

Integration:
Bortle class 7 (maybe 8) skies
All subframes binned 3×3.
R: 46×5min = 3.83 hours
G: 35×5min = 2.92 hours
B: 53×5min = 4.42 hours
L-Pro: 90×5min = 7.5 hours
Ha: 23×10min = 3.83 hours
Total integration time: 22.5 hours

 

[Andy Resnick]

Over here, I'm mostly imaging M13- the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules. Last week I learned that just before M13 rises into a decent altitude, Hoag's Object is in a favorable position. This past weekend was mostly clear, so I had a few nights to try and image it. Since M13 tests my skills, I again put them to the test with Hoag's Object:

It might not look like much, but the faint dot in the center with a (I think) barely-visible ring is it. 80 minutes of viewing time (over 4 days) with a 800/8 lens (equivalent to a 100mm refractor) and Nikon D810 body mounted on a Losmandy GM8, Gemini 2 Controller/Driver.

I'm definitely pleased, considering Hoag discovered this object in the 1950's (instead of the ancient times a la Messier objects) meaning my imaging hardware compares a lot worse to what was used to discover the objects. I know I can easily detect down to at least magnitude 15 so I knew I could detect the central peak, but I wasn't sure I could detect, much less resolve, the ring as distinct from the central peak.

Additional imaging time on this will likely have to wait until next year- we have a few days of rain/clouds forecast, then the moon interferes for a few days and then it's not really viewable from my location. I'm still concentrating on M13, at least until M57 (Ring nebula) moves into position.

 

[collinsmark]

I'm definitely pleased, considering Hoag discovered this object in the 1950's (instead of the ancient times a la Messier objects) meaning my imaging hardware compares a lot worse to what was used to discover the objects. I know I can easily detect down to at least magnitude 15 so I knew I could detect the central peak, but I wasn't sure I could detect, much less resolve, the ring as distinct from the central peak.

Nice!

You know it's going to be a tough target when even the best Hubble (HST) image looks noisy.

 

[Devin-M]

Hoag's Object is in a favorable position

Has anyone calculated the odds of there being a 2nd ring galaxy visible within the ring of the nearer ring galaxy?

 

[DennisN]

I was browsing flickr and stumbled upon a guy who does some very creative and beautiful photography (incl. astrophotography). His flickr photostream is well worth a visit: Roberto Bertero.

He doesn't allow hotlinking so I can't post pictures here, but I'll post some links to photos:

• Ursa Major above Mont Blanc
• Milky Way in the Mirror*
• Grand Assaly and Milky Way
• A Prayer to Heaven
• (and here's a very beautiful non-astro photo: The Value of a Single Instant)

* The "Milky Way in the Mirror" photo is actually a bit similar to what I've been thinking about myself, i.e. photographing the Milky Way reflected in water. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to do it this summer. I'm thinking of doing it over the ocean and/or over a small lake somewhere. But I have to pick a perfect, calm day for it if I want to get a clear reflection in the water.

 

[collinsmark]

The Antenna Galaxies discreetly imaged from my back patio in May 2022. Here we see NGC 4038 (top left) in her native habitat devouring NGC 4039 (bottom right), her gravitationally chosen mate, in a final cosmic embrace. The two galaxies are becoming one while producing a burst of new stars. This starburst phase is caused in part by the galactic scale howls of sound waves pulsing through the intragalactic gas and dust, an inevitable process of the intimate merger.

The Antenna Galaxies get their name from the trails of stars, gas, and dust ejected from the galaxies' passionate dance, which resemble an insect's antenna. Together, in terms of size, the pair of galaxies are in the same ballpark as our own Milkyway Galaxy. New data suggest they are about 45 million light-years away (previously thought to be about 65 million light-years). They can be peeked at from Earth in the constellation Corvus.

(Crop showing a bit more detail in the center)

Equipment:
Meade 10" LX200-ACF on an equatorial wedge.
Off-axis guider (OAG) plus guide camera.
Optolong L-Pro filter for luminance data.
ZWO RGB filter set for color data.
Baader 3.5 nm Hα filter (for that extra red, present in starburst regions).
ZWO ASI6200MM-Pro main camera.

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

This was a rather tough target to image, mostly for terrestrial reasons: It's a significantly southern object given my northern latitude, right above where most of my light pollution and glare comes; dust motes and gradients for which flat frames did not fully compensate; and lots and lots of clouds, haze, and fog. Lot's of haze, btw. Transparency was awful almost every night (if not completely cloud covered) for the whole of May. It was as if nature here on Earth conspired to give NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 their privacy. You might think that over 30 hours of integration time is a lot (it's a lot), but this target could have used more. Well, I guess I can gather more data next year, I suppose.

Integration:
Bortle Class 7 (maybe 8) skies.
All subframes binned 3×3.
L-Pro: 83 × 5min = 6.92 hours
R: 38 × 5min = 3.17 hours
G: 80 × 5min = 6.67 hours
B: 77 × 5min = 6.42 hours
Hα: 51 × 10min = 8.5 hours
Total integration time: 31.67 hours

 

[Drakkith]

This was a rather tough target to image, mostly for terrestrial reasons: It's a significantly southern object given my northern latitude, right above where most of my light pollution and glare comes; dust motes and gradients for which flat frames did not fully compensate; and lots and lots of clouds, haze, and fog.

I feel you. I took my gear out a few days ago and had nothing but problems. Awful transparency plus a full moon meant that I could barely even find my target, Pickering's Triangle. 20 second exposures with an F/5.5 refractor and 6x binning gave me barely enough to find and center it. Then my PHD guiding software crapped out about 20 minutes into the session and I spent another 20 minutes figuring out how to use my normal imaging software (Maxim DL) to guide. Then another 20 troubleshooting why it wasn't correcting declination drift.

Finally got all that figured out, started my imaging session, came back about 45 minutes later to check on everything and every exposure was unusable because of flexure issues. Which hadn't shown up before with the exact same setup on the exact same target I've imaged before...

Issues like this are a regular occurrence for me. So frustrating that I've contemplated selling all my gear several times.

 

[bruha]

Hello, I attach cutout of recent sun with green filter image (no sun spots nowadays.. ).

Lot of succes

 

[bruha]

Hello,
yesterday I catch some sun spots-group of 3 bigger and
second group of more small spots (looks as archipelago.. )
attached is in white and with green sun filter as well

Lot of succes