SH-101 is a faint emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. It is also dubbed "Tulip nebula" because of its flower shape. It would take far longer exposures to capture more of the background nebulosity in the region. This is a natural color image taken through RGB filters and clear filter to enhance detail. 

I recommend viewing the high resolution image:

https://meetthehills.smugmug.com/Astro/i-hPDcjfG/X4

Technical details:

Opt...

It has already been two years since the Astrotech 12'' RC became the workhorse of Asteria observatory. It has already logged tens of hours of imaging during that time, specifically close to 150 hours. They say you're not supposed to clean the optics at all if possible, due to the thin aluminum coating that may be affected. However there came a point where I could see a layer of gunk caked on the mirror's surface, which would e...

NGC 7129 is an open cluster, but longer exposures will reveal the associated reflection nebula  in the center. Dark nebula LBN 497 can also be seen. A lot of star birth activity is taking place in this area. A surprise target, and one of my favorite so far, due to it's shape and lovely color variations. 

Technical specs:

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRGB
Mount: AP900 GTO
Guider:...

NGC 7662 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Andromeda. The exact distance from earth is not currently known. The most recent estimate is 5,600 light years, and a diameter of 50,000 AU (Wikipedia). As tiny as it appears in this view, it is in fact tens of thousands of times larger than our solar system!

Technical specs:

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRGB
Mount: AP900 GTO
Guider...

Continuing to image that part of the sky around Andromeda at the time, another image from my collection, Abell 262. The brightest member of this group is NGC708, an eliptical galaxy at a distance of ~65MPc (208 million light years), and a velocity of around (4,800 km/sec). 

Technical specs:

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRGB
Mount: AP900 GTO
Guider: Meade DSI Pro II

Focus: Robofocus
Softwar...

NGC 7541 is part of a galaxy group is an SB type galaxy at an estimated distance of 28 MPc (91 million ly) in the constellation Pisces. It is currently receding from our own galaxy at a rate of 2,826 km/sec (Simbad). In this cropped image, it appears along with NGC 7537, giving the appearance of floating against the darkness of space.

Technical specs:

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRG...

This little jewel nestled in the dust clouds of Cepheus is one of my favorites. A much longer exposure is needed to bring out the faint dust (>10 hours). In reality, this galaxy pair lies in the cosmic background outside our galaxy, at an estimated distance of 100 million light years.The dwarf spiral galaxy appears to be illuminated by the 8th magnitude star nearby. It is believed to interact with the elliptical galaxy on the...

We are very excited about the opening of the John Glenn Astronomy Park, for many different reasons. I will only list the most essential ones, as the list can get pretty long. Firstly, it promotes the science of observational astronomy and outreach, secondly,  it raises awareness to Ohioans  about our place in the Cosmos, thirdly, it is located in Hocking Hills, in our backyard! I might be wrong, but I believe that is only the...

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRGB
Mount: AP900 GTO
Guider: Meade DSI Pro II   

Focus: Robofocus
Software: CCD Commander, Maxim DL, FocusMax, Photoshop CC 2014, Pixinsight 1.8

Date: RGB: 9/26,10/8,10/9,10/10,2016 L: 8,23,24 September, 2016
Exposure: L: 17x1200'' bin1 RGB: 20x300''each bin2
Total integration: 10.6 hours

Click image for larger image and prints

Another image from the fall of 2016. NGC6914 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Cygnus. I am surprised of the result given the short amount of data gathered. 

Technical specs:

Optics: AT12 RC astrograph @ f/8
Camera: QHY9M CCD
Filters: Orion 2'' LRGB
Mount: AP900 GTO
Guider: Meade DSI Pro II

Focus: Robofocus
Software: CCD Commander, Maxim DL, FocusMax, Photoshop CC 2014, Pixinsight 1.8

Date: RGB: 9/25/2016 L: 9/5/201...