#backyardastronomy — 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

It is nearly #Christmas , so here is a very seasonally appropriate target.

#NGC2264 is comprised of two parts - there is the #ConeNebula , which is a #DarkNebula , and the accompanying #ChristmasTreeCluster . For us here in #Australia this is a #Summer complex - appearing for us in the lead up to Christmas itself.

This is a two and half hour exposure, or 150 frames, at 60s/frame, gain 80, using the inbuilt Ha/OIII filter, shot on a #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope .

Post processing was using Stellar Studio in the app, and #Snapseed.

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy #SouthernHemisphere

It is nearly #Christmas , so here is a very seasonally appropriate target.

#NGC2264 is comprised of two parts - there is the #ConeNebula , which is a #DarkNebula , and the accompanying #ChristmasTreeCluster . For us here in #Australia this is a #Summer complex - appearing for us in the lead up to Christmas itself.

This is a two and half hour exposure, or 150 frames, at 60s/frame, gain 80, using the inbuilt Ha/OIII filter, shot on a #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope .

Post processing was using Stellar Studio in the app, and #Snapseed.

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy #SouthernHemisphere

It is nearly #Christmas , so here is a very seasonally appropriate target.

#NGC2264 is comprised of two parts - there is the #ConeNebula , which is a #DarkNebula , and the accompanying #ChristmasTreeCluster . For us here in #Australia this is a #Summer complex - appearing for us in the lead up to Christmas itself.

This is a two and half hour exposure, or 150 frames, at 60s/frame, gain 80, using the inbuilt Ha/OIII filter, shot on a #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope .

Post processing was using Stellar Studio in the app, and #Snapseed.

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy #SouthernHemisphere

It is nearly #Christmas , so here is a very seasonally appropriate target.

#NGC2264 is comprised of two parts - there is the #ConeNebula , which is a #DarkNebula , and the accompanying #ChristmasTreeCluster . For us here in #Australia this is a #Summer complex - appearing for us in the lead up to Christmas itself.

This is a two and half hour exposure, or 150 frames, at 60s/frame, gain 80, using the inbuilt Ha/OIII filter, shot on a #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope .

Post processing was using Stellar Studio in the app, and #Snapseed.

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy #SouthernHemisphere

It is nearly #Christmas , so here is a very seasonally appropriate target.

#NGC2264 is comprised of two parts - there is the #ConeNebula , which is a #DarkNebula , and the accompanying #ChristmasTreeCluster . For us here in #Australia this is a #Summer complex - appearing for us in the lead up to Christmas itself.

This is a two and half hour exposure, or 150 frames, at 60s/frame, gain 80, using the inbuilt Ha/OIII filter, shot on a #Dwarf3 #SmartTelescope .

Post processing was using Stellar Studio in the app, and #Snapseed.

#Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #BackyardAstronomy #SouthernHemisphere

This evening's first target was going to be a mosaic of two nebulae. Alas, I got the framing a little off, and I ended up with 1 1/2 nebulae. At the top is half of the Eagle Nebula (M16), and down the bottom is M17, The Swan/Omega/Check mark/Horseshoe nebula.

In between them are a cluster and two smaller nebulae.

3 hours and 10 minutes, in 60s frames, @80 with a Ha/OIII filter.

#SmartTelescope #Astronomy #Astrodon #Astrophotography #Dwarf3 #M17 #M16 #BackYardAstronomy

Next, on the #Dwarf3 I targeted the same thing - #C63 again, but this time with an #OIII / #SII dualband filter.

The result is quite a surprise. I was not expecting the level of intensity in the outer layers. The H-a really wipes it out normally.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

Last night was the last night of clear weather for a week or so for us, so, despite the full moon, we popped the Dwarves up on the roof.

First up let's look at what I got the #DwarfII to do. I thought I'd revisit my old favourite, #C63 the #HelixNebula . What I got surprised me greatly.

Here is the same scene - about a fortnight apart - one shot on the #Dwarf3 and the other on the DwarfII. In both cases there is about 7 hours of exposure, at gain 80, and both are using a dualband #OIII / #HII filter.

Both were post processed in the #StellarStudio and finished in #Snapseed .

I am utterly amazed at just how good the Dwarf2 stands up. No, it is not as good as the Dwarf3, but it is still a solid image, and one I am very pleased with.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

Last night was the last night of clear weather for a week or so for us, so, despite the full moon, we popped the Dwarves up on the roof.

First up let's look at what I got the #DwarfII to do. I thought I'd revisit my old favourite, #C63 the #HelixNebula . What I got surprised me greatly.

Here is the same scene - about a fortnight apart - one shot on the #Dwarf3 and the other on the DwarfII. In both cases there is about 7 hours of exposure, at gain 80, and both are using a dualband #OIII / #HII filter.

Both were post processed in the #StellarStudio and finished in #Snapseed .

I am utterly amazed at just how good the Dwarf2 stands up. No, it is not as good as the Dwarf3, but it is still a solid image, and one I am very pleased with.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

Last night was the last night of clear weather for a week or so for us, so, despite the full moon, we popped the Dwarves up on the roof.

First up let's look at what I got the #DwarfII to do. I thought I'd revisit my old favourite, #C63 the #HelixNebula . What I got surprised me greatly.

Here is the same scene - about a fortnight apart - one shot on the #Dwarf3 and the other on the DwarfII. In both cases there is about 7 hours of exposure, at gain 80, and both are using a dualband #OIII / #HII filter.

Both were post processed in the #StellarStudio and finished in #Snapseed .

I am utterly amazed at just how good the Dwarf2 stands up. No, it is not as good as the Dwarf3, but it is still a solid image, and one I am very pleased with.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

Last night was the last night of clear weather for a week or so for us, so, despite the full moon, we popped the Dwarves up on the roof.

First up let's look at what I got the #DwarfII to do. I thought I'd revisit my old favourite, #C63 the #HelixNebula . What I got surprised me greatly.

Here is the same scene - about a fortnight apart - one shot on the #Dwarf3 and the other on the DwarfII. In both cases there is about 7 hours of exposure, at gain 80, and both are using a dualband #OIII / #HII filter.

Both were post processed in the #StellarStudio and finished in #Snapseed .

I am utterly amazed at just how good the Dwarf2 stands up. No, it is not as good as the Dwarf3, but it is still a solid image, and one I am very pleased with.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

Last night was the last night of clear weather for a week or so for us, so, despite the full moon, we popped the Dwarves up on the roof.

First up let's look at what I got the #DwarfII to do. I thought I'd revisit my old favourite, #C63 the #HelixNebula . What I got surprised me greatly.

Here is the same scene - about a fortnight apart - one shot on the #Dwarf3 and the other on the DwarfII. In both cases there is about 7 hours of exposure, at gain 80, and both are using a dualband #OIII / #HII filter.

Both were post processed in the #StellarStudio and finished in #Snapseed .

I am utterly amazed at just how good the Dwarf2 stands up. No, it is not as good as the Dwarf3, but it is still a solid image, and one I am very pleased with.

#Astronomy #astrophotography #Astrodon #SmartTelescope #BackYardAstronomy

How Did I End Up Hosting Science Talks on a Tropical Island??

So… I somehow ended up helping host a science festival on a remote tropical island… and yeah, it was as wild as it sounds. 🌴

Welcome to Lord Howe Island Dark Skies Festival — where I ran nightscape photography courses, helped host the pub science talks (yes, actual science… in a pub), led the kids’ "Blast Off!" space class, explored the glowing light walk, visited the Lord Howe Island Distillery (because science needs gin), and spent every night imaging under some of the darkest skies on Earth.

Between the stargazing, science chaos, and way too many camera batteries, this was one of the most unexpectedly amazing trips I’ve been on.

Seriously… how did I end up here?

🔭✨🧪🍸

https://youtu.be/p784nyhK-hc

#ScienceFestival #DarkSkies #Astrophotography #LordHoweIsland #NightscapePhotography #SpaceLovers #AstronomyLife #StargazingNights #TelescopeTime #AstroAdventure #ExploreAustralia #ScienceForEveryone #PhotographyTrip #TravelWithPurpose #BackyardAstronomy #AstroVibes #EducationalFun #IslandLife #SpaceEducation #OutreachMatters

This was totality — photographed from my parents’ yard in Southern Illinois during the April 8, 2024 eclipse.

The sun’s corona was blazing, and we could even see flares along the edge.

A moment of awe, silence, and cosmic perspective.

#Eclipse2024 #TotalSolarEclipse #Astrophotography #SouthernIllinois #SolarCorona #EclipseFlares #FediverseSky #BackyardAstronomy

Best astrophotograph I’ve taken so far.

#Photography #AstroPhotography #M16 #EagleNebula #PillarsOfCreation #Stars #StarPhotography #BackyardAstronomy

The #Moon will soon be in its #ThirdQuarter #phase but right now it’s still a #WaningGibbous.

#MyWork #MyPhoto #CCBYSA #DSLR #Nikon #D7000 #BackyardAstronomy #AmateurAstronomy #Gibbous

This morning’s #Moon photographed at about 03:50 UTC. It is in its #ThirdQuarter or #LastQuarter #phase.

#MyWork #MyPhoto #CCBYSA #DSLR #Nikon #D7000 #BackyardAstronomy #AmateurAstronomy #Quarter