#backyard-astronomy — Public Fediverse posts

So last night was our usual Friday night RPG session, this time with @leece GMing. In honour of #Mermay we are playing a bunch of #mermaid police constables in a magical Victorian London.

While we were gaming, though, our #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope s were beavering away at the comet #C2025r3panstarrs , which has just invaded the foot of #Orion .

Here is the result of one of the shots. Post processing in Stellar Studio and #Snapseed .

#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Astrodon #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstronomy

Just a 10 minute look at the Carina Nebula with the Dwarf 3 and some #Snapseed editing.

#SmartTelescope #Astrodon #Astrophotography #SouthernHemisphereAstronomy #Astronomy #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography #Dwarf3 #DwarfLab

I've had the telescope out for the last few days before the cloud has come in. This month's target from #AstronomyGroupOfWesternAustralia is The Statue of Liberty #nebula

I went a different path with the editing because I was struck with the sheer volume of stars in the area and didn't want dampen them down. So I left most of them in and upped the colour because I thought it looked cool.

#Astrodon #Astronomy #Astrophotography #SouthernHemisphereAstronomy #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography #SmartTelescope #DwarfLabs #Dwarf3

This month's target of the month from AGWA is the Statue of Liberty Nebula ( #NGC3579 ), which is in Carinae, and near the famous Eta Carinae Nebula.

This is three hours with a #Dwarf3 in Ha/OIII . Post processing in #Snapseed and Stellar Studio.

#Astronomy #astrodon #Astrophotography #SouthernSky #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyGroupOfWesternAustralia

https://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Geophysical/1/3/1 🤔 It was red earlier... I am stuck here because the clouds were kind and the Dwarfs are running in the front yard.

Maybe down at the beach we might get a shot if the aurora makes an appearance.

#Astrodon #Astronomy #DrivewayAstrophotograpy #BackyardAstronomy #AuroraAustralis

So as I mentioned earlier, the quest for my astronomy gathering this month is to get a photo of the Rosette Nebula, which is pretty good for us to shoot at home at the moment.

You saw my in progress shot with my Dwarf 3, but I haven't forgotten about my Dwarf 2, so Rob lent me his SVBONY CLS filter and I've had a bunch of sessions with it.

So here's the result, and I'm loving the rosiness of the Rosette 🙂

Of course I should call it my preferred moniker - the Unicorn Nostril. Well, look at it, it's right there at Monoceros's snout in the right place!

#Astrodon
#Astronomy
#Astrophotography
#SouthernHemisphereAstronomy
#DrivewayAstrophotograpy
#BackyardAstronomy
#SmartTelescope
#Dwarflabs
#Dwarf2
#Nebula

So the challenge from my Astronomy club for us this month is The Rosette Nebula, Caldwell 49 or NGC 2237.

This is a bit of a rough cut - I've not seen it done with an OIII SII filter before, and I'd like to add some more frames. Thanks to @rdm for lending me the filter!

#astrodon #astronomy #astrophotography #southernhemisphereAstronomy #drivewayAstrophotograpy #backyardastronomy #smarttelescope #dwarflabs #dwarf3 #nebula

@FotoVorschlag
'Objekte die mit "J"  beginnen oder so aussehen ...'
Träller:
"When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love, will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius..."

#FotoVorschlag #foto #mywork #backyardastronomy

First time I have tried time lapse with the -Dwarf 3- oops strike that, I did it with the Dwarf2! #LunarEclipse #astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SouthernhemisphereAstronomy #drivewayAstrophotograpy #backyardAstronomy #Smarttelescope #Dwarf2 #Dwarflab

@rdm insisted I post this even though it was drawn in about 10 seconds with my finger.

He likes the immediacy.

#humour
#Astrodon #Astronomy #Astrophotography #SouthernHemisphereAstronomy #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography #SmartTelescope #Dwarf3 #DwarfLabs
#TheTurtleMoves #TerryPratchett #Discworld

Well, I put the telescope out last night and targeted the Keyhole Nebula. Now, I don't know about you but this looks like Great A'Tuin, Sir Terry's marvelous astrochelonian, is checking on a star cluster nest of eggs.

May Sir Terry rest in peace and know that he's loved. I met him a few times, a wonderful soul he lit up a room like a gentle nebula himself!

#Astrodon #Astronomy #Astrophotography #SouthernHemisphereAstronomy #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography #SmartTelescope #Dwarf3 #DwarfLabs
#TheTurtleMoves #TerryPratchett #Discworld

I rode this image into dangerous territory last night, because I ran out of space in the telescope, oops, but still it turned out pretty well. Remind me to clear off the scope this arvo!

The first time I processed the image it was pretty bright, it didn't look very natural, so I did this version. I might post the lurid one later.

So who's ready to see the Carina Nebula I did a couple of nights ago after this? Only an hour or so but you'll get to see us Southern Hemisphere types' consolation prize for not having a pole star.
#Astrodon
#astronomy #astrophotography #SouthernhemisphereAstronomy #SmartTelescope #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography #Dwarf3

I took advantage of the new Moon a couple days ago, and got a nice look at Centaurus A.

Quite good detail this time.

#SmartTelescope #Dwarf3 #DwarfLabs #Astronomy #Astrophotography #SouthernHemisphereAstronomy #BackyardAstronomy #DrivewayAstrophotography

How to Build a Home Space Observatory: A Complete Guide to Backyard Astronomy and Citizen Science for Every Budget

Touching the Infinite: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Your Home Space Observatory | The Boreal Times

The universe is no longer the exclusive playground of government agencies and billionaire-backed aerospace firms. We are living in a golden age of “democratized space,” where the line between a hobbyist and a researcher is increasingly blurred. Building a home observatory is more than just a weekend project; it is the act of establishing a personal laboratory for the study of our cosmic origins. Whether you are peering through a cardboard tube or operating a remote-access robotic dome, you are participating in a tradition of inquiry that stretches back to Galileo.

This article serves as a blueprint for transforming your curiosity into a structured scientific pursuit. By following these empirical guidelines, you can contribute to actual scientific datasets while fostering a lifelong passion for the stars.

The Philosophy of the Backyard Observer

Before buying hardware, one must understand that an observatory is a system, not just a tool. It consists of three pillars: the site, the optics, and the data.

Empirical observation requires stability and consistency. In professional astronomy, “seeing” refers to the atmospheric stability above your site. While you cannot control the weather, your home observatory’s success depends on your ability to minimize light pollution and thermal turbulence (heat rising from buildings). The goal of a home setup is to provide a “ready-to-observe” environment that reduces the friction between thinking about the stars and actually seeing them.

A Guide for Every Budget: The Three Tiers

Astronomy is often perceived as expensive, but scientific value is found in the methodology, not the price tag.

Tier 1: The Explorer (Budget: $0 – $200)

Focus: Visual Literacy and Wide-field Observation. At this level, your goal is to learn the “geography” of the sky. Equipment: A pair of 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars. Binoculars offer a wider field of view than telescopes, making them superior for spotting star clusters and the Andromeda Galaxy. The Observatory: A reclining lawn chair and a steady tripod adapter. Scientific Contribution: Recording meteor counts during major showers and contributing data to the International Meteor Organization (IMO).

Tier 2: The Researcher (Budget: $500 – $2,000)

Focus: High-Resolution Imaging and Solar System Studies. Equipment: An 8-inch Dobsonian telescope (for visual depth) or a Small Aperture Refractor on a German Equatorial Mount (GEM). The mount is the most critical piece here; it must track the Earth’s rotation to allow for long-exposure photography. The Observatory: A dedicated pier or a specialized equipment cover that allows the setup to stay outside safely. Scientific Contribution: Lunar impact monitoring and planetary transit timing.

Tier 3: The Astrophysicist (Budget: $5,000+)

Focus: Deep Space Research and Automated Data Collection. Equipment: A cooled CMOS astronomy camera, a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) with a focal reducer, and an automated dome or “Roll-Off Roof” shed. The Observatory: A permanent structure with climate control and remote operation capabilities. Scientific Contribution: Photometry of variable stars for the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers) and hunting for exoplanets using transit methods.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Station

Step 1: Light Pollution Assessment Use a tool like the Bortle Scale to identify your sky quality. If you live in a “Bortle 8” (city), focus on the Moon, planets, and double stars. If you are in a “Bortle 2” (rural), deep-sky nebulae are your targets.

Step 2: The Foundation Vibration is the enemy of clarity. If you are building a permanent station, sink a steel or concrete pier directly into the ground, isolated from the floor of your deck or shed. This ensures that walking near the telescope doesn’t cause the image to shake.

Step 3: Software Integration Modern observatories run on software. Use Stellarium (Open Source) for planning and specialized sequencing software like N.I.N.A. (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy) for hardware control.

Activities for Students and Enthusiasts

Astronomy is a multi-generational bridge. Here are activities categorized by age and skill level:

For Young Learners (Ages 5-12): The Moon Journal Activity: Observe the Moon every night for one full cycle (29.5 days). Goal: Sketch the “terminator” line (the line between light and shadow). This teaches the physics of light and the orbital mechanics of the Earth-Moon system.

For Teens and Students (Ages 13-18): Citizen Science Activity: Join the Zooniverse “Galaxy Zoo” project. Goal: Classify the shapes of distant galaxies using real data from the Hubble and James Webb telescopes. This introduces data categorization and the scale of the universe.

For Enthusiasts and Adults: Variable Star Monitoring Activity: Use a DSLR or dedicated astro-camera to measure the brightness of a star over several weeks. Goal: Upload your data to the AAVSO. Amateur data is frequently used by professional astronomers to schedule time on large observatories like the Keck or VLT.

The Empirical Importance of Amateur Observation

You might wonder what a small telescope can do that a multi-billion dollar instrument cannot. The answer is time. Professional telescopes are oversubscribed; they can only look at a specific point for minutes. Amateurs have the luxury of time. We are the “sentinels” of the sky. Amateurs are often the first to discover supernovae, new comets, and unexpected changes in stellar brightness.

By building a home observatory, you are not just buying a hobby; you are commissioning a node in a global network of scientific sentries.

Resources and Valid References

• NASA Citizen Science: https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science
• AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers): https://www.aavso.org
• International Dark-Sky Association: https://darksky.org
• British Astronomical Association (Visual Aids): https://britastro.org
• Zooniverse Galaxy Zoo: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zookeeper/galaxy-zoo/
• Stellarium Astronomy Software: https://stellarium.org

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments, and explore more insights on our Journal and Magazine. Please consider becoming a subscriber, thank you: https://borealtimes.org/subscriptions – Follow The Boreal Times on social media. Join the Oslo Meet by connecting experiences and uniting solutions: https://oslomeet.org

Last night I promised that there would be Some Astronomy Happening.

Because we had SDA deployed on the front patio roof, we only had a couple of hours.

However...

I was able to get a far better shot of of #IC2177 ( the #SeagullNebula ) with the #Dwarf2 than I expected.

Sadly my attempt at #GUM6 aka #SH2_302 aka #RCW7 ( the #SnowmanNebula ) was a lot less successful.

Tonight, I am revisiting both. This time I'm shooting a full night for them. Let's see what we get!

Meantime, here are the shots from last night.

#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Astrodon #SouthernSkies #BackyardAstronomy

It is well known that #SmartTelescopes are terrible at planets.

That said, #Jupiter is in opposition right now, so I figured I'd give it a shot with my #Dwarf3 .

This is a composite of 10x.5s for the moons and 400x1/60s for the planet. Edited and composited in #Snapseed .

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy

Had a 20 minute session with this pretty open cluster last night.

This is Caldwell 96, and it looks more to me like The Sprinter than the Southern Beehive. Its two big red giants are pretty clear.

I don't think I have taken this one with the #Dwarf3 before.

#SmartTelescope #Astronomy #Astrodon #BackyardAstronomy #Astrophotography #DrivewayAstrophotography #SouthernhemisphereAstronomy

🌌 This Week’s Sky at a Glance (Dec 26 – Jan 4)

Winter skies are loaded. Venus shines after sunset, Jupiter dominates late night, and Orion is front and center. If it’s clear, get outside—this is prime observing season.

🔭 Full guide: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-december-26-january-4/

📸 Photo credit: Saturn imaged by Christopher Go on November 29th, when the ring inclination was very close to minimum.

#SkyAtAGlance #NightSky #Stargazing #Astronomy #WinterSky #Planets #Saturn #Orion #BackyardAstronomy