Your guide to astrophotography

Nebula

Beyond Orion’s Belt: How to Image the Elusive Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2175)

During the winter months, many of us immediately image M42 – The Orion Nebula. But Orion contains many other interesting targets, including NGC 2175 – The Monkey Head Nebula. Only 6,350 light years away, the Monkey Head Nebula is bright and easy to photograph, especially with narrowband filters (Hydrogen-Alpha, Sulphur-II, and Oxygen-III).

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December 26, 2023
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NGC 2175 - The Monkey Head Nebula

Galaxy

Bringing out the Details in the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 4725

NGC 4725 is a striking spiral galaxy situated in the constellation Coma Berenices. Its placement in the night sky makes it a great subject for astronomers and astrophotographers alike. From Earth, NGC 4725 is 40 million light years away (40 mega-light years). This particular galaxy is the brightest member of the Coma I group of galaxies.

NGC 4725 showcases a grand spiral structure with well-defined arms that sweep outward from its bright central core. The galaxy spans a considerable distance, with its spiral arms adorned with regions of active star formation and interstellar dust.

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December 22, 2023
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NGC 4725

Cluster

See How to Capture the Beauty of Globular Cluster M2 Through Your Telescope

Globular Cluster M2 is a captivating assembly of stars located in the constellation Aquarius. This globular cluster, situated approximately 33,000 light-years from Earth, has become a celestial highlight for observers worldwide due to is brightness, size, and easy observability.

M2 boasts a dense and symmetrical core, comprising hundreds of thousands of stars gravitationally bound together. The stars within M2 are ancient, with ages estimated to be around 13 billion years, making them some of the oldest objects in our Milky Way galaxy (our sun is only 4.5 billion years old).

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December 16, 2023
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M2 - Global Cluster in Aquarius

Galaxy

Imaging Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy in a Mosaic

Galaxies M81 and M82 stand as celestial neighbors in the Ursa Major constellation, captivating astronomers and stargazers alike with their unique features and cosmic stories.

M81, also known as Bode’s Galaxy, is a grand spiral galaxy, exhibiting well-defined spiral arms and a prominent central bar structure. The outer arms are adorned with regions of star formation and dust lanes. Around 29 million light years away, the bright central region contributes to the galaxy’s overall brightness.

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December 3, 2023
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M81 and M82 - Bode's and Cigar Galaxies