| NEBULAE (CLICK ON THUMBNAIL IMAGE FOR FULL-SIZE VIEW) |
M-20 (NGC-6514): A bright combination emission/reflection nebula located in the constel-
lation of Sagittarius. Its common name is the Trifid Nebula, so called because of the three
dark lanes that radiate out from the triple star at the center of the emission nebula. M-20
has a visual size in small telescopes of approximately 20 minutes of arc. It lies at a distance
of about 5,000 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was my first attempt to photograph a diffuse nebulae. It was taken on
7/23/06, and is an integration of ten 30 second exposures thru an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apo-
chromatic Refractor. The images were captured and combined using Maxim DL Essentials,
with additional post-processing with Photoshop CS.
lation of Sagittarius. Its common name is the Trifid Nebula, so called because of the three
dark lanes that radiate out from the triple star at the center of the emission nebula. M-20
has a visual size in small telescopes of approximately 20 minutes of arc. It lies at a distance
of about 5,000 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was my first attempt to photograph a diffuse nebulae. It was taken on
7/23/06, and is an integration of ten 30 second exposures thru an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apo-
chromatic Refractor. The images were captured and combined using Maxim DL Essentials,
with additional post-processing with Photoshop CS.
M-27 (NGC-6853): A bright planetary nebula located about 25 minutes of arc south of the
star 14 Vulpeculae. M-27 was discovered by Messier in 1764. Its common name, "Dumbbell
Nebula" derives from its visual appearance of two rounded ends joined by a narrow waist.
In photographs, the ends display arcs of nebulosity which almost meet on long exposures.
M-27 lies at a distance of approximately 900 light years from earth. Its visual size of 8 X 5
minutes of arc corresponds to an actual diameter of 2 light years. It is an immense shell of
gas being expelled by a dying star, which is now the white dwarf which is visible at the center
of the object.
NOTE: This image was captured on 7/23/06, and is an integration of ten 30 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with post-processing in Photoshop CS.
star 14 Vulpeculae. M-27 was discovered by Messier in 1764. Its common name, "Dumbbell
Nebula" derives from its visual appearance of two rounded ends joined by a narrow waist.
In photographs, the ends display arcs of nebulosity which almost meet on long exposures.
M-27 lies at a distance of approximately 900 light years from earth. Its visual size of 8 X 5
minutes of arc corresponds to an actual diameter of 2 light years. It is an immense shell of
gas being expelled by a dying star, which is now the white dwarf which is visible at the center
of the object.
NOTE: This image was captured on 7/23/06, and is an integration of ten 30 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with post-processing in Photoshop CS.
M-8 (NGC-6523): One of the finest diffuse nebulae in the sky, second only to The Great
Orion Nebula, M-42. It is easily visible to the unaided eye as a nebulous patch about 5
degrees west and slightly north of Lambda Sagittarii. The total extent of M-8 is over 1/2
degree, and it fills the field of a low-powered eyepiece. Best visual views are obtained using
either a UHC or an O-III filter. It is often called the "Lagoon" nebula, due to the large dark
"bay" between the brightest part of the nebula to the right and the star cluster NGC-6530
to the upper left. M-8 lies at a distance of approximately 5,000 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was captured on 8/23/06, and is an integration of twenty 40 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
NEW IMAGE: The image on the RIGHT was captured on the morning of 6/22/07, and is
an integration of twenty-five 40 second exposures through the 80mm APO refractor, using
a .5 focal reducer at f/3.75. The faster ratio captured much additional nebulosity with the
same length of exposure. This vast cloud of hydrogen gas is continuing to hatch newborn
stars. The radiation from these hot new stars excites the hydrogen gas, making this one of
the brightest diffuse nebulae in the northern sky.
Orion Nebula, M-42. It is easily visible to the unaided eye as a nebulous patch about 5
degrees west and slightly north of Lambda Sagittarii. The total extent of M-8 is over 1/2
degree, and it fills the field of a low-powered eyepiece. Best visual views are obtained using
either a UHC or an O-III filter. It is often called the "Lagoon" nebula, due to the large dark
"bay" between the brightest part of the nebula to the right and the star cluster NGC-6530
to the upper left. M-8 lies at a distance of approximately 5,000 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was captured on 8/23/06, and is an integration of twenty 40 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
NEW IMAGE: The image on the RIGHT was captured on the morning of 6/22/07, and is
an integration of twenty-five 40 second exposures through the 80mm APO refractor, using
a .5 focal reducer at f/3.75. The faster ratio captured much additional nebulosity with the
same length of exposure. This vast cloud of hydrogen gas is continuing to hatch newborn
stars. The radiation from these hot new stars excites the hydrogen gas, making this one of
the brightest diffuse nebulae in the northern sky.
M-17 (NGC-6618): Located near the northern border of the constellation Sagittarius, about
2 degrees NNE of the center of the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud. The nebula somewhat
resembles an upside-down swan. The long bright streak to the north is approximately 20
minutes of arc in length. The curving "swan's neck" is actually a cloud of glowing hydrogen
gas which is partially obscured by a dark cloud, which forms the hollow of the neck. This
nebula is approximately 5,700 light years distant.
NOTE: This image was captured on 8/23/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 30 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
2 degrees NNE of the center of the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud. The nebula somewhat
resembles an upside-down swan. The long bright streak to the north is approximately 20
minutes of arc in length. The curving "swan's neck" is actually a cloud of glowing hydrogen
gas which is partially obscured by a dark cloud, which forms the hollow of the neck. This
nebula is approximately 5,700 light years distant.
NOTE: This image was captured on 8/23/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 30 second
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined in Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
NGC-7293: Commonly called the "Helix Nebula", this is the largest and closest of all the
planetary nebulae. It is located in the constellation of Aquarius. It has a diameter of over
12 X 16 minutes of arc, making it almost half the size of the full moon. At its distance of
over 450 light years, this corresponds to an actual diameter of almost 1.75 light years.
NOTE: This image was captured on the morning of 8/24/06, and is an integration of fifteen
100 second exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images
were captured and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing
in Photoshop CS.
planetary nebulae. It is located in the constellation of Aquarius. It has a diameter of over
12 X 16 minutes of arc, making it almost half the size of the full moon. At its distance of
over 450 light years, this corresponds to an actual diameter of almost 1.75 light years.
NOTE: This image was captured on the morning of 8/24/06, and is an integration of fifteen
100 second exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images
were captured and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing
in Photoshop CS.
NGC-6960: Commonly called the western arc of the Veil Nebula. This diffuse nebula is
located in the eastern part of the constellation of Cygnus the swan. It is a supernova
remnant, the remains of the titanic explosion of a star which took place over 45,000 years
ago. It and the eastern arc (NGC-6992) are still expanding from this explosion, forming an
immense bubble of gas that is still expanding at a rate of almost 45 miles per second. The
bright star in the lower left corner is 52 Cygni. The faint filamentary structure in the photo
can even be observed visually, using an Oxygen-III filter.
NOTE: This image was captured on 9/25/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 120 sec.
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additonal post-processing in Photoshop CS.
located in the eastern part of the constellation of Cygnus the swan. It is a supernova
remnant, the remains of the titanic explosion of a star which took place over 45,000 years
ago. It and the eastern arc (NGC-6992) are still expanding from this explosion, forming an
immense bubble of gas that is still expanding at a rate of almost 45 miles per second. The
bright star in the lower left corner is 52 Cygni. The faint filamentary structure in the photo
can even be observed visually, using an Oxygen-III filter.
NOTE: This image was captured on 9/25/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 120 sec.
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additonal post-processing in Photoshop CS.
NGC-6992: Commonly called the eastern arc of the Veil Nebula. This eastern arc lies
about 2.5 degrees to the ENE of NGC-6960, and is the other arc of the huge bubble of
gas that is still expanding from the supernova which took place over 45,000 years ago!
These two arcs lie at a distance of approximately 1500 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was captured on 9/25/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 120 sec.
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
about 2.5 degrees to the ENE of NGC-6960, and is the other arc of the huge bubble of
gas that is still expanding from the supernova which took place over 45,000 years ago!
These two arcs lie at a distance of approximately 1500 light years from earth.
NOTE: This image was captured on 9/25/06, and is an integration of twenty-five 120 sec.
exposures through an 80mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic Refractor. The images were captured
and combined using Maxim DL Essentials, with additional post-processing in Photoshop CS.
 |
M-1 (NGC-1952): A supernova remnant located in the constellation of Taurus, the bull, about 67
minutes of arc northwest of Zeta Tauri (the star which marks the southern tip of the bull's horn.
Discovered by John Bevis in 1731. This expanding cloud of gas is the remnant of a supernova
explosion in the year 1054 A.D., which was well-documented by chinese astronomers.
NOTE: This image was captured on the evening of February 23,2007, and is an integration of
thirty-five 35 second images thru an 80mm f/7.5 APO refractor. The images were captured and
combined in Maxim DL Essentials and post-processed using Photoshop CS.
minutes of arc northwest of Zeta Tauri (the star which marks the southern tip of the bull's horn.
Discovered by John Bevis in 1731. This expanding cloud of gas is the remnant of a supernova
explosion in the year 1054 A.D., which was well-documented by chinese astronomers.
NOTE: This image was captured on the evening of February 23,2007, and is an integration of
thirty-five 35 second images thru an 80mm f/7.5 APO refractor. The images were captured and
combined in Maxim DL Essentials and post-processed using Photoshop CS.
FIRST ATTEMPT ON M-42: The image above represents my very first attempt to capture the
Great Nebula in Orion, M-42. This image is a composite of images captured on the evening of
January 25th, 2007. Thirty 2 second images, thirty 10 second images and thirty 50 second
images were combined in an attempt to capture the outer "wings" of nebulosity, yet keep the
inner "Trapezium" area from being burned out. M-42 lies at a distance of 1600 light years, and is
the finest and brightest diffuse nebula in the sky.
Great Nebula in Orion, M-42. This image is a composite of images captured on the evening of
January 25th, 2007. Thirty 2 second images, thirty 10 second images and thirty 50 second
images were combined in an attempt to capture the outer "wings" of nebulosity, yet keep the
inner "Trapezium" area from being burned out. M-42 lies at a distance of 1600 light years, and is
the finest and brightest diffuse nebula in the sky.
The "Horsehead" Nebula (Barnard 33): This image was captured on the evening of February
20th, 2007, and is an integration of thirty-five 45 second exposures taken through the 80mm ED
Apochromatic Refractor. This is my very first attempt at this notoriously dim and difficult object.
The "Horsehead" Nebula is located just south of Zeta Orionis, the easternmost of the three "belt
stars" in Orion. Barnard 33 is actually a dark cloud of obscuring dust which blocks the light from
the nebula IC 434 (the red nebula that fills the top half of the frame). This nebula is illuminated
by the radiation from Zeta Orionis. The nebula lies at a distance of approximately 1600 light years,
and Barnard 33 is slightly closer.
20th, 2007, and is an integration of thirty-five 45 second exposures taken through the 80mm ED
Apochromatic Refractor. This is my very first attempt at this notoriously dim and difficult object.
The "Horsehead" Nebula is located just south of Zeta Orionis, the easternmost of the three "belt
stars" in Orion. Barnard 33 is actually a dark cloud of obscuring dust which blocks the light from
the nebula IC 434 (the red nebula that fills the top half of the frame). This nebula is illuminated
by the radiation from Zeta Orionis. The nebula lies at a distance of approximately 1600 light years,
and Barnard 33 is slightly closer.
NGC-2359: A faint reflection nebula in Canis Major. It is illuminated by a bright, energetic Wolf-Rayet
type star near its center. Visually through most amateur telescopes, this nebula is very faint, and
requires Narrow-Band (UHC or O-III) filters to enhance contrast. Photographically, it is much more
impressive. Its common name "Thor's Helmet" derives from the two faint arcs that extend from each
edge of the central nebula...appearing like the horns on a Viking helmet.
NOTE: This image was captured on the evening of February 20, 2007, and is an integration of fifteen
50-second exposures through the 80mm ED Apochromatic refractor at f/7.5. The images were captured
and stacked using Maxim DL Essentials, with post processing using Photoshop CS and NoiseWare.
type star near its center. Visually through most amateur telescopes, this nebula is very faint, and
requires Narrow-Band (UHC or O-III) filters to enhance contrast. Photographically, it is much more
impressive. Its common name "Thor's Helmet" derives from the two faint arcs that extend from each
edge of the central nebula...appearing like the horns on a Viking helmet.
NOTE: This image was captured on the evening of February 20, 2007, and is an integration of fifteen
50-second exposures through the 80mm ED Apochromatic refractor at f/7.5. The images were captured
and stacked using Maxim DL Essentials, with post processing using Photoshop CS and NoiseWare.
