Pick of the Bunch 2010

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As for the Latest page, the most recent images are at the top of the page.

Messier 45, the Pleiades or Seven Sisters in Taurus is a well known bright cluster, beautiful in binoculars. But to see the full beauty of the surrounding nebulosity long exposure photography is a must. And I'm quite pleased with my latest version here! The night of 12th November 2010 remained clear despite a stiff breeze, and I was able to obtain 13 x 10 minute exposures using my SBIG ST-4000XCM one-shot colour camera on the TMB 105 refractor with William Optics .8 reducer/corrector.

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A very faint Supernova remnant lurks in Cassiopeia, quite close to the big 'W'. Variously known as Abell 85, CTB-1, G116.9+0.2, PK 116.9+0.1 and LBN 576. Despite severe gales, rain and fast moving clouds, there were some good clear periods in early November 2010, and I succeeded in acquiring data over three nights, 6th, 10th and 12th. TMB105 refractor and William Optics 0.8 reducer/flattener. SBIG ST-10XME with AO8. Luminance (and Red) with a Baader 7nm H-alpha filter, Green and Blue with Astronomik OIII and SII filters. Ha 13 x 30 minutes, OIII and SII each 6 x 10 minutes binned 2x2.

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A stable high pressure system established during the second week of October 2010, but unfortunately most of the period for me was plagued by cloud from the North Sea. But the sky cleared beautifully on the night of 16th. There was a bright gibbous Moon, so I first tackled Jupiter. Some software problems meant I just missed the Great Red Spot - disappearing bottom right. But the bonus then was Io just kissing the planet. Ganymede shadow and the moon to the right. Toucam on 12" LX200ACF with 3x Barlow. One of my better planetary images!

I was away from home most of the Summer (see the Eclipse 2010 trip), and the Autumn weather was disappointing. This small but beautiful galaxy, magnitude 10.2 NGC 7217 in Pegasus was a real challenge. I tackled it on three separate nights, but seeing conditions almost defeated me, and the only really worthwhile luminance data was 4 x 20 minute frames from the early hours of 30th August 2010. But it proved just enough to tease out the fine detail . RGB was only 3 each at 5 minutes binned 2x2. ST-10XME with AO-8 on 12" LX200ACF at f10.

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During my extended holiday including viewing the 2010 Solar Eclipse in the South Pacific, it was always my intention to photograph the Southern Milky Way, not only in wide field, but also with some more close up images using my 400 mm Canon lens. I had no opportunity during our stay on Tahiti and Moorea, and for most of the following two weeks on New Zealand the Moon was intrusive. Towards the end of that stay I obtained this image from a dark camp site (we were in a camper van) at Fairlie in South Island. Lots of trees unfortunately, and the Moon rose before I could go for close ups. But good views of the Clouds of Magellan, the Southern Cross, the Coalsack and Carina nebulae. Composite of 5 x 5 minute exposures at ISO800, Canon 350D and Tamron 17-50 lens at 17 mm and f5.6 Full Size

Later in the holiday we stayed with relations near Launceston, Tasmania. With four nights there I expected to be able to enjoy the night sky - New Moon and a dark site. But it was not to be - cloud and rain alas. The only remaining opportunity was from the next stop with relations on the Gold Coast near Brisbane. But there was light pollution and a brightening Moon. Nevertheless I obtained this pic of the heart of the Milky Way - a couple of constellation figures in for identification. Canon 350D, 5 x 5 minute sub frames at ISO 800, Tamron lens at 17 mm. Constellation figures also on the medium size image (click on thumbnail).

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All the 17 mm shots were taken unguided on my EQ3-2 mount - the mount tracking was accurate enough at the short focal length, and I had a good Polar alignment. So to finish off, I zoomed the lens up to 50 mm, just for a try. And indeed the unguided tracking was also good enough at that focal length. This shows the Southern Cross and Coalsack area. So although I had a guide camera with me, I never used it. Full size.

I guess I'll have to return South some time. Maybe in 2012 for the Transit of Venus !

At the end of June 2010, finally our long awaited extended holiday began, and after some interesting stops in America we arrived in French Polynesia for the July 11th Total Solar Eclipse. Although staying on Tahiti and the adjoining Moorea, to view the eclipse we flew to Tatakoto Atoll which was situated very close to the centre line.

This was the diamond ring at second contact, with some Bailey's beads evident along with prominences. All these Solar images were taken using my Canon 350D camera and Canon 400 mm f5.6 L lens, and ISO 100. This single frame 1/1000 second. Full size.

We witnessed 4 1/2 minutes of totality, but as always the time flew past. Nevertheless I was able to view the event while taking a range of photos. This is a composite of several frames between 1/1000 and 1 second. Despite the thin haze, I also succeeded in capturing Earthshine, and several stars, the brightest being magnitude 3.5 Delta Geminorum (above the disc).

Larger image.

All too soon came third contact with again a nice diamond ring and prominences. We were very fortunate with the weather - clouds before and after, indeed totally obscured 10 minutes later. Phew!

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As well as taking close ups I managed a wide angle shot with my Panasonic TZ5 on a lightweight tripod. The Sun was washed out, but my wife fortunately took a photo with her Canon Ixus 40 at a shorter exposure nicely showing the 'black dot', so this is again a composite. Note Mercury lower right of the Sun. This and the above two pictures featured in the August BBC 'Sky at Night' programme with Sir Patrick Moore, and this photo appeared in the September 2010 issue of Astronomy Now.

Larger image.

NGC 4438 (the larger one) and NGC 4435 , 'The Eyes' in Virgo. The extreme distortions of 4438 are probably due to the proximity of 4435.

Numerous background galaxies in this image, taken over two nights, 7th and 9th April 2010. Luminance 20 x 10 minutes, RGB each 7 x 5 minutes binned 2x2. ST-10XME with AO-8 and Astronomik filters on 12" LX200ACF at f7.

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Barred spiral Canes Venatici galaxy Messier 106. The small galaxy in the corner is NGC 4248. March 10th and 21st 2010. Luminance 24 x 10 minutes, RGB each 7 x 5 minutes binned 2x2. ST-10XME with AO-8 on 12" LX200ACF.

NGC 3628 Disturbed Galaxy in Leo. February and March 2010. Luminance 44 x 10 minutes, RGB each 6 x 5 minutes binned 2x2. ST10XME with AO-8 on 12" LX200R.

This image appeared in the August 2010 issue of Sky at Night magazine.

The Great Orion nebula, Messier 42 and adjacent area including the 'Fishes' Mouth' M43 and 'Running Man' NGC 1977. 2nd February 2010. Main image 9 x 10 minutes, central Trapezium region patched from 6 x 2 minutes. A bit 'noisy' in the fainter outer regions - if I get the opportunity I'll take a set of longer subs, perhaps 20 minutes each to improve those areas.

ST4000XCM with AO-8 and William Optics 0.8 reducer on Meade series 5000 127 mm refractor.

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2009

At the end of June 2010, finally our long awaited extended holiday began, and after some interesting stops in America we arrived in French Polynesia for the July 11th Total Solar Eclipse. Although staying on Tahiti and the adjoining Moorea, to view the eclipse we flew to Tatakoto Atoll which was situated very close to the centre line. This was the diamond ring at second contact, with some Bailey's beads evident along with prominences. All these Solar images were taken using my Canon 350D camera and Canon 400 mm f5.6 L lens, and ISO 100. This single frame 1/1000 second. Full size.
We witnessed 4 1/2 minutes of totality, but as always the time flew past. Nevertheless I was able to view the event while taking a range of photos. This is a composite of several frames between 1/1000 and 1 second. Despite the thin haze, I also succeeded in capturing Earthshine, and several stars, the brightest being magnitude 3.5 Delta Geminorum (above the disc). Larger image.
All too soon came third contact with again a nice diamond ring and prominences. We were very fortunate with the weather - clouds before and after, indeed totally obscured 10 minutes later. Phew! Full size.
As well as taking close ups I managed a wide angle shot with my Panasonic TZ5 on a lightweight tripod. The Sun was washed out, but my wife fortunately took a photo with her Canon Ixus 40 at a shorter exposure nicely showing the 'black dot', so this is again a composite. Note Mercury lower right of the Sun. This and the above two pictures featured in the August BBC 'Sky at Night' programme with Sir Patrick Moore, and this photo appeared in the September 2010 issue of Astronomy Now. Larger image.