Since I have come to be a fan of the Track and Accumulate method of capturing Deep Sky Objects (DSOs) that the SBIG cameras are known for, I always knew that if I wanted to go deeper into revealing details of DSOs, I would have to learn how to get my camera to self-guide. More »

I have used most of my posts displaying astrophotographs I have taken of deep sky objects (DSOs). November is not a great month for additional work in that department. However, once in a while the night sky clears and the casual observer might want to know what’s visible above. So here goes… More »

Although I spent some time in a previous post discussing the NGC catalog, and the following two NGC DSOs were cursorily discussed, the two NGC DSOs visible during this time of year hold great interest for the astrophotographer looking for new objects to image. More »

My study of the moon has always had a “given” truth — one of those notions that science could never question. After several landings on the moon and detailed mapping of its surface, there simply was no question that the moon was a lifeless, waterless, barren orb of dry dust and rock that has remained that way for millennia. More »

The most popular catalog of DSOs (Deep Sky Objects) is the Messier catalog. The Messier objects are a set of astronomical objects first listed by French astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1821). The first edition covered 45 objects numbered M1 to M45. The total list published by Messier finally contained 103 objects, but the list “got an independent life” by successive additions by other astronomers. More »

Summer is the best time to view two nebulae that are truly outstanding. Nebula is the Latin word for “cloud,” and that really describes it well. Many nebulae form from the gravitational collapse of gas in space. As the material collapses under its own weight, massive stars may form in the center. More »

Astronomers have finally found a place outside our solar system where there’s a firm place to stand — if only it weren’t so broiling hot. More »

Toward the end of August I was able to image two DSOs I had not attempted before. The first, NGC 4565, is an edge-on unbarred spiral galaxy about 53 million light-years away. I took a four minute exposure with dark applied of this beautiful galaxy. With a thin disk and bulging central nucleus, this magnificent edge-on spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices resembles a frosty flying saucer speeding through intergalactic space. More »

Imaging new objects in the sky is not only satisfying, but also food for serious thoughts about cosmology. Every time I go out to my observatory, I view it as a kind of sacred place where I am allowed the privilege of seeing God’s creation in ways not many are able to. More »

If you’ve been following my posts on astronomy, you surely are aware that I am a learner-in-progress when it comes to astrophotography. Yet, like so many producers of this or that, there comes a time when highlights of their work are published. So it is in my case. I am devoting this post to the 13 “best” astrophotographs I have taken this past year. They are not ranked from best on down…just 13 of my best. More »