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Here are a few images I captured with my Seestar S50 from Star Front Remote Observatories in Texas. All images have been de-noised internally on the Seestar and color adjustment also have been made internally. Some images like the Iris and California Nebula have been touched up in Adobe Light Room and Graxpert.
As most of you know I don’t spend a lot of time post processing my images. Mainly because I can’t seem to find the time to sit down and learn Siril and other astrophotography editing software. I guess when I’m ready, I will make the time. But for now, I am happy with the results above.
Below is a brief description of each target that I imaged. The information below was taken directly from Wikipedia.
The California Nebula (Also known NGC 1499 or Sh2-220) is an emission nebulalocated in the constellation Perseus. Its name comes from its resemblance to the outline of the US State of California in long exposure photographs.
By coincidence, the California Nebula transits in the zenith in central California as the latitude matches the declination of the object.
The Iris Nebula (also known as NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4) is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. The designation NGC 7023 refers to the open cluster within the larger reflection nebula designated LBN 487.
The nebula, which shines at magnitude +6.8, is illuminated by a magnitude +7.4 star designated HD 200775.[1] It is located near the Mira-type variable star T Cephei, and near the bright magnitude +3.23 variable star Beta Cephei (Alfirk). It lies 1,300 light-years away and is six light-years across.[2]
The Black Eye Galaxy (also called Sleeping Beauty Galaxy or Evil Eye Galaxy and designated Messier 64, M64, or NGC 4826) is a relatively isolated[7] spiral galaxy17 million light-years away in the mildly northern constellation of Coma Berenices. It was discovered by Edward Pigott in March 1779, and independently by Johann Elert Bode in April of the same year, as well as by Charles Messier the next year. A dark band of absorbing dust partially in front of its bright nucleus gave rise to its nicknames of the “Black Eye”, “Evil Eye”, or “Sleeping Beauty” galaxy.[12][13] M64 is well known among amateur astronomers due to its form in small telescopes and visibility across inhabited latitudes.
The Cat’s Paw Nebula aka NGC 6334 is a massive emission nebula and star-forming region located in the constellation Scorpius. It is colloquially known as the Cat’s Paw Nebula, and can be found 3° to the west-northwest of the bright star Lambda Scorpii. NGC 6334 was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel…
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a (M51a) or NGC 5194, is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus. It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy.
Cigar Galaxy aka Messier 82 (also known as NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy or M82) is a starburst galaxy approximately 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It is the second-largest member of the M81 Group.
The Wild Duck Cluster (also known as Messier 11, or NGC 6705) is an open clusterof stars in the constellation Scutum (the Shield). It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1681.[3] Charles Messier included it in his catalogue of diffuse objects in 1764. Its popular name derives from the brighter stars forming a triangle which could resemble a flying flock of ducks[3] (or, from other angles, one swimming duck). The cluster is located just to the east of the Scutum Star Cloud midpoint.
The Butterfly Cluster (cataloged as Messier 6 or M6, and as NGC 6405) is an open cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Scorpius. Its name derives from the resemblance of its shape to a butterfly.
The Leo Triplet Messier 66 or M66, also known as NGC 3627, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the southern, equatorial half of Leo. It was discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier[8] on 1 March 1780, who described it as “very long and very faint”.[9] This galaxy is a member of a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628, known as the Leo Triplet or the M66 Group.[10] M65 and M66 are a common object for amateur astronomic observation, being separated by only 20′
Messier 4 or M4 (also known as NGC 6121 or the Spider Globular Cluster) is a globular cluster in the constellation of Scorpius. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745 and catalogued by Charles Messier in 1764.
Messier 10 or M10 (also designated NGC 6254) is a globular cluster of stars in the equatorial constellation of Ophiuchus. The object was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier on May 29, 1764, who cataloged it as number 10 in his catalogue and described it as a “nebula.
NGC 5053 is the New General Catalogue designation for a globular cluster in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices. It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on March 14, 1784 and cataloged as VI-7. *To me it has the outline of a classic star figure. Look at it closely.
Hi Carlos,
Thank you for your email, your support, and for putting together this really nice website. You’ve got many inspiring images in here; for me the first one, the last one, last one, whirlpool, Leo triplet, and cigar are my favorites. I also appreciate your descriptions of each of these. For me (like you) this experience will be more about engaging with the cosmos and less about the image files. I like the first video you show above – very clear and nicely narrated. I’ve purchased a wedge so will give it a go and see how well EQ works. Will send down the little leveler thingy if the EQ set up does not prove to be satisfactory.
With much appreciation, Scott
Scott, Thank you for your comment. The images I’ve posted are only a few of the over 40 I’ve taken since January. Hopefully, I will be able to post more, soon. Yes, for me its not only about the imaging, but learning about the targets, where they are located and what makes them unique.