The Shark Nebula
=============
LDN 1235 — the Shark Nebula — lurks in Cepheus about 650 light-years away. It isn’t a bright, glowing nebula; it’s a dense cloud of interstellar dust that shows up by blocking the star field behind it, carving out the shark’s dark “nose” and body across the Milky Way backdrop.
Near the head you can spot faint blue reflection nebulosity (vdB 149/150), where nearby hot stars scatter light off the dust. Spanning roughly 15 light-years from head to tail, this is just a small slice of a much larger dusty complex—and a reminder that some of the most dramatic deep-sky targets are defined by the subtlest contrast.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Svbony UV/IR-Cut
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 18hrs 55min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20260120_ldn1235
#astrophotography #deepsky #nebula #sharknebula #darkshark #ldn1235 #space #cosmos #universe #stars #nightphotography
#longexposure #spacephotography #astronomy #astrophoto #stargazing #science #nightsky #celestial #dust
Frank Adler
Father, astro photographer, software engineer
The Monkey Head Nebula
======================
NGC 2175 is a glowing star-forming region in Orion, about 6.400 light-years away. It belongs to the wider Sh2-252 complex (often discussed alongside NGC 2174) and spans a surprisingly large patch of sky.
Powered by the hot O-type star HD 42088, ultraviolet light makes hydrogen shine while dark dust lanes carve the familiar “monkey” silhouette. A stellar nursery in motion, shaped by radiation and winds as new stars emerge.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 5hrs 35min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20260118_ngc2175
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #NGC2175 #MonkeyHeadNebula #Sh2-252 #OrionConstellation #Halpha #OIII
======================
NGC 2175 is a glowing star-forming region in Orion, about 6.400 light-years away. It belongs to the wider Sh2-252 complex (often discussed alongside NGC 2174) and spans a surprisingly large patch of sky.
Powered by the hot O-type star HD 42088, ultraviolet light makes hydrogen shine while dark dust lanes carve the familiar “monkey” silhouette. A stellar nursery in motion, shaped by radiation and winds as new stars emerge.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 5hrs 35min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20260118_ngc2175
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #NGC2175 #MonkeyHeadNebula #Sh2-252 #OrionConstellation #Halpha #OIII
The Flaming Star Nebula
==================
This is IC 405 (also known as Sharpless 229) in the constellation Auriga, around 1,500 light-years from Earth.
This dramatic deep-sky object is shaped by the powerful radiation of AE Aurigae - a massive runaway star speeding through a cloud of gas and dust. As it moves, its intense UV light causes hydrogen to glow in deep red H-alpha while surrounding dust reflects blue starlight, creating the nebula’s iconic flame-like appearance.
A rare combination of emission and reflection nebula, Sh2-229 reveals fine filaments, turbulent structures, and shock fronts carved into the interstellar medium. Long exposures bring out the delicate details hidden within this dynamic star-forming region of the winter sky.
Captured from deep space to your screen - a reminder that even the cosmos is shaped by motion.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 7hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20260111_sh2-229/
#Sh2229 #IC405 #FlamingStarNebula #Astrophotography #DeepSkyAstrophotography #NebulaPhotography #Space #Universe #Cosmos #NightSky #Auriga #RunawayStar #Halpha #LongExposure #Astronomy #AstroPhotography
==================
This is IC 405 (also known as Sharpless 229) in the constellation Auriga, around 1,500 light-years from Earth.
This dramatic deep-sky object is shaped by the powerful radiation of AE Aurigae - a massive runaway star speeding through a cloud of gas and dust. As it moves, its intense UV light causes hydrogen to glow in deep red H-alpha while surrounding dust reflects blue starlight, creating the nebula’s iconic flame-like appearance.
A rare combination of emission and reflection nebula, Sh2-229 reveals fine filaments, turbulent structures, and shock fronts carved into the interstellar medium. Long exposures bring out the delicate details hidden within this dynamic star-forming region of the winter sky.
Captured from deep space to your screen - a reminder that even the cosmos is shaped by motion.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 7hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20260111_sh2-229/
#Sh2229 #IC405 #FlamingStarNebula #Astrophotography #DeepSkyAstrophotography #NebulaPhotography #Space #Universe #Cosmos #NightSky #Auriga #RunawayStar #Halpha #LongExposure #Astronomy #AstroPhotography
The Cave Nebula
=============
Hidden in the constellation Cepheus, about 2,400 light-years away, lies this subtle but fascinating stellar nursery. The iconic “cave” shape is created by dense cosmic dust pushing into glowing hydrogen gas, sculpted by intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars.
What looks calm and quiet is in fact a region of ongoing star formation. Fine dust filaments, dark nebulae and faint reflection regions reveal the complex interaction between gas, dust and radiation. Objects like Sh2-155 are challenging to capture, but they reward long integrations with incredible depth and structure.
A silent reminder that even the darkest regions of space are full of creation.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 9hrs 45min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251228_sh2-155/
#astrophotography #deepsky #nebula #cavenebula #sh2155 #space #cosmos #universe #stars #nightphotography
#longexposure #spacephotography #astronomy #astrophoto #stargazing #science #nightsky #celestial #hydrogenalpha #hubblepalette
=============
Hidden in the constellation Cepheus, about 2,400 light-years away, lies this subtle but fascinating stellar nursery. The iconic “cave” shape is created by dense cosmic dust pushing into glowing hydrogen gas, sculpted by intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars.
What looks calm and quiet is in fact a region of ongoing star formation. Fine dust filaments, dark nebulae and faint reflection regions reveal the complex interaction between gas, dust and radiation. Objects like Sh2-155 are challenging to capture, but they reward long integrations with incredible depth and structure.
A silent reminder that even the darkest regions of space are full of creation.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 9hrs 45min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251228_sh2-155/
#astrophotography #deepsky #nebula #cavenebula #sh2155 #space #cosmos #universe #stars #nightphotography
#longexposure #spacephotography #astronomy #astrophoto #stargazing #science #nightsky #celestial #hydrogenalpha #hubblepalette
The California Nebula
================
Stretching across nearly 100 light-years, this glowing river of hydrogen is known as the California Nebula. Located about 1,000–1,500 light-years away in the constellation Perseus, it’s far too faint to see with the naked eye — but long-exposure astrophotography reveals its true form.
The nebula shines almost entirely in H-alpha light, energized by intense radiation from the nearby hot star Xi Persei. What looks like a soft, golden cloud is actually a turbulent region of ionized gas, dust, and ongoing star formation.
Five times wider than the full Moon and yet nearly invisible visually, NGC 1499 is a perfect reminder of how much of the universe hides just beyond human perception.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 10hrs 25min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251218_ngc1499/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #ngc1499 #californianebula
================
Stretching across nearly 100 light-years, this glowing river of hydrogen is known as the California Nebula. Located about 1,000–1,500 light-years away in the constellation Perseus, it’s far too faint to see with the naked eye — but long-exposure astrophotography reveals its true form.
The nebula shines almost entirely in H-alpha light, energized by intense radiation from the nearby hot star Xi Persei. What looks like a soft, golden cloud is actually a turbulent region of ionized gas, dust, and ongoing star formation.
Five times wider than the full Moon and yet nearly invisible visually, NGC 1499 is a perfect reminder of how much of the universe hides just beyond human perception.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 10hrs 25min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251218_ngc1499/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #ngc1499 #californianebula
This isn’t a flower. 🌹
It’s the Rosette Nebula — a vast stellar nursery nearly 130 light-years wide, sculpted by intense radiation from young stars.
The deep reds come from glowing hydrogen gas, energized by ultraviolet light, while dark dust lanes trace regions where future stars may still form. The light captured here began its journey around 5,000 years ago, long before it reached this frame.
A moment of cosmic creation and erosion—where science, time, and art intersect.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 2hrs 25min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251215_ngc2237/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #ngc2237 #rosettenebula
It’s the Rosette Nebula — a vast stellar nursery nearly 130 light-years wide, sculpted by intense radiation from young stars.
The deep reds come from glowing hydrogen gas, energized by ultraviolet light, while dark dust lanes trace regions where future stars may still form. The light captured here began its journey around 5,000 years ago, long before it reached this frame.
A moment of cosmic creation and erosion—where science, time, and art intersect.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 2hrs 25min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251215_ngc2237/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #ngc2237 #rosettenebula
The Pleiades
==========
A year after my first wide-field capture of the Pleiades, I revisited M45 with a tighter composition to reveal more of its hidden structure.
This close-up view brings out the delicate blue wisps of the reflection nebula—filaments, arcs, and soft dust clouds shaped by the hot young stars of the cluster.
With deeper integration and refined processing, this new image highlights just how intricate and dynamic the Pleiades truly are.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Svbony UV/IR Cut
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 6hrs 24min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251122_m45/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #messier45 #m45 #pleiades #plejaden
==========
A year after my first wide-field capture of the Pleiades, I revisited M45 with a tighter composition to reveal more of its hidden structure.
This close-up view brings out the delicate blue wisps of the reflection nebula—filaments, arcs, and soft dust clouds shaped by the hot young stars of the cluster.
With deeper integration and refined processing, this new image highlights just how intricate and dynamic the Pleiades truly are.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Svbony UV/IR Cut
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 6hrs 24min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251122_m45/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #messier45 #m45 #pleiades #plejaden
The North America Nebula
====================
This is my latest image of the North America Nebula, a vast emission region in Cygnus, about 2,600 light-years away. The resemblance to the North American continent is striking — even in the raw data, the “Gulf of Mexico” region glows vividly in hydrogen light.
Captured and processed in the HOO palette (Hydrogen–Oxygen–Oxygen), the image combines warm hydrogen tones with cool oxygen blues. This mapping brings out the delicate structures and ionization fronts hidden in the nebula — the areas where newborn stars sculpt their surroundings with light and wind.
The dark band cutting across the nebula is a dense molecular cloud (L935), blocking the light behind it. Inside these dusty regions, new stars are still forming — invisible in visible light but revealed through narrowband imaging.
Every time I process this region, I’m reminded of how alive our galaxy is — constantly building, shaping, and recycling itself.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 3hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251105_ngc7000/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #NGC7000 #northamerica
====================
This is my latest image of the North America Nebula, a vast emission region in Cygnus, about 2,600 light-years away. The resemblance to the North American continent is striking — even in the raw data, the “Gulf of Mexico” region glows vividly in hydrogen light.
Captured and processed in the HOO palette (Hydrogen–Oxygen–Oxygen), the image combines warm hydrogen tones with cool oxygen blues. This mapping brings out the delicate structures and ionization fronts hidden in the nebula — the areas where newborn stars sculpt their surroundings with light and wind.
The dark band cutting across the nebula is a dense molecular cloud (L935), blocking the light behind it. Inside these dusty regions, new stars are still forming — invisible in visible light but revealed through narrowband imaging.
Every time I process this region, I’m reminded of how alive our galaxy is — constantly building, shaping, and recycling itself.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF
Integration time: 3hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251105_ngc7000/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #NGC7000 #northamerica
The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380)
========================
The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) enchants the constellation Cepheus with its mystical clouds and vibrant star birth, sprawling 7,200 light-years away. Sculpted by powerful stellar winds and ultraviolet light from young, hot stars, this cosmic region displays dramatic arches and swirling corridors of gas and dust. Each color reveals the energy at play—fiery reds for hydrogen, deep blues for oxygen — while newborn suns flicker amid shadowy pillars.
It’s a stunning testament to the artistry of the universe and an irresistible target for deep sky imaging!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 8hrs 45min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250930_ngc7380/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #wizardnebula #NGC7380 #wizard #nebula
========================
The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) enchants the constellation Cepheus with its mystical clouds and vibrant star birth, sprawling 7,200 light-years away. Sculpted by powerful stellar winds and ultraviolet light from young, hot stars, this cosmic region displays dramatic arches and swirling corridors of gas and dust. Each color reveals the energy at play—fiery reds for hydrogen, deep blues for oxygen — while newborn suns flicker amid shadowy pillars.
It’s a stunning testament to the artistry of the universe and an irresistible target for deep sky imaging!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 8hrs 45min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250930_ngc7380/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #spaceisart #Narrowband #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #starchild #cosmicwonder #spaceart #universetoday #instaastro #wizardnebula #NGC7380 #wizard #nebula
The Lobster Claw and Bubble Nebulae
============================
This wide-field image captures the stunning Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in the constellation Cassiopeia, illuminated by the intense stellar winds of the massive star BD+60°2522. The bubble-shaped emission nebula spans about 7 light-years and glows with vibrant reds and subtle blues from ionized gas, creating a dramatic cosmic scene. Nearby, the intricate filaments of the Lobster Claw Nebula (Sh2-157) weave a delicate pattern of star-forming hydrogen gas, while the open cluster Messier 52 sparkles with young stars, adding depth and contrast to the celestial landscape.
This region beautifully showcases the powerful forces at work in stellar nurseries — where energy from massive stars sculpts gas and dust into breathtaking shapes that tell a story of ongoing star birth and evolution. Capturing this interplay of cosmic elements in one frame is a true astrophotography challenge and a tribute to the artistry of the universe.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 6hrs 30min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250920_sh2-157/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #TelescopeLove
#Cassiopeia #LobsterClawNebula #BubbleNebula #Messier52 #WolfRayet
============================
This wide-field image captures the stunning Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in the constellation Cassiopeia, illuminated by the intense stellar winds of the massive star BD+60°2522. The bubble-shaped emission nebula spans about 7 light-years and glows with vibrant reds and subtle blues from ionized gas, creating a dramatic cosmic scene. Nearby, the intricate filaments of the Lobster Claw Nebula (Sh2-157) weave a delicate pattern of star-forming hydrogen gas, while the open cluster Messier 52 sparkles with young stars, adding depth and contrast to the celestial landscape.
This region beautifully showcases the powerful forces at work in stellar nurseries — where energy from massive stars sculpts gas and dust into breathtaking shapes that tell a story of ongoing star birth and evolution. Capturing this interplay of cosmic elements in one frame is a true astrophotography challenge and a tribute to the artistry of the universe.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 6hrs 30min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250920_sh2-157/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #TelescopeLove
#Cassiopeia #LobsterClawNebula #BubbleNebula #Messier52 #WolfRayet
The Lion Nebula (Sh2-132)
====================
Dive with me into the fascinating world of the Lion Nebula (Sh2-132) in the constellation Cepheus — a vast emission nebula often underestimated but with its complex structure and delicate gas clouds a true astronomical treasure. At the heart of this glowing region are two mighty Wolf-Rayet stars, alongside a hot O-type star and young B-type suns, whose intense radiation and strong stellar winds sculpt the glowing “mane” features of the nebula.
This cosmic spectacle spans nearly 40 arcminutes in the sky, corresponding to about 250 light-years across in the Perseus Arm of our Milky Way. Dark dust lanes weave through the nebula, creating the striking silhouette that resembles a lion’s face, giving the nebula its evocative name.
The Lion Nebula is a stunning reminder of the dynamic interplay between massive stars and interstellar gas, offering a captivating glimpse into star formation processes and the architectural beauty of our galaxy.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 50min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250919_sh2-132/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #TelescopeLove
#Cepheus #LionNebula #Sh2132 #WolfRayet
====================
Dive with me into the fascinating world of the Lion Nebula (Sh2-132) in the constellation Cepheus — a vast emission nebula often underestimated but with its complex structure and delicate gas clouds a true astronomical treasure. At the heart of this glowing region are two mighty Wolf-Rayet stars, alongside a hot O-type star and young B-type suns, whose intense radiation and strong stellar winds sculpt the glowing “mane” features of the nebula.
This cosmic spectacle spans nearly 40 arcminutes in the sky, corresponding to about 250 light-years across in the Perseus Arm of our Milky Way. Dark dust lanes weave through the nebula, creating the striking silhouette that resembles a lion’s face, giving the nebula its evocative name.
The Lion Nebula is a stunning reminder of the dynamic interplay between massive stars and interstellar gas, offering a captivating glimpse into star formation processes and the architectural beauty of our galaxy.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 50min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250919_sh2-132/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #TelescopeLove
#Cepheus #LionNebula #Sh2132 #WolfRayet
@uzdpencil thank you 🙏
@snapshotsmith@mastodon.social I took 11 bursts of around 60 shots each, with an exposure of 1/5s per image. Each of those bursts was stacked to create a clear image of the moon at that phase.
Dankeschön =)
Blood Moon over Chemnitz
====================
The Lulatsch — our rainbow smokestack turned light sculpture — stands like a painted lighthouse while Earth’s shadow washes the Moon copper. Industry, art, and cosmos aligned for a few luminous minutes on September 7th 2025.
Lens: Canon EF 75-300mm @ 300mm, f/6.3
Camera: Canon EOS 6Da
Mount: Rollei C50i Tripod
Integration time: 11x60x1/5s (~2min)
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250907_lunar_eclipse/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #lunareclipse #chemnitz #lulatsch @chemnitz2025
====================
The Lulatsch — our rainbow smokestack turned light sculpture — stands like a painted lighthouse while Earth’s shadow washes the Moon copper. Industry, art, and cosmos aligned for a few luminous minutes on September 7th 2025.
Lens: Canon EF 75-300mm @ 300mm, f/6.3
Camera: Canon EOS 6Da
Mount: Rollei C50i Tripod
Integration time: 11x60x1/5s (~2min)
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250907_lunar_eclipse/
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #lunareclipse #chemnitz #lulatsch @chemnitz2025
The Clamshell Nebula (Sh2-119)
========================
In the rich starfields of Cygnus, the massive star 68 Cygni bathes this cloud in fierce ultraviolet light, sculpting glowing hydrogen and delicate dark dust tendrils. I captured the scene in a narrowband HSO palette to highlight the interplay between ionized hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen—revealing the shell-like arcs and filaments that give Sh2-119 its name.
If you enjoy the look of these lesser-known Cygnus gems, tap the save button and share — there’s so much structure hiding in this region. Clear skies!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 40min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250820_sh2-119
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #Sh2119 #ClamshellNebula #Cygnus
========================
In the rich starfields of Cygnus, the massive star 68 Cygni bathes this cloud in fierce ultraviolet light, sculpting glowing hydrogen and delicate dark dust tendrils. I captured the scene in a narrowband HSO palette to highlight the interplay between ionized hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen—revealing the shell-like arcs and filaments that give Sh2-119 its name.
If you enjoy the look of these lesser-known Cygnus gems, tap the save button and share — there’s so much structure hiding in this region. Clear skies!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 40min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250820_sh2-119
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #Narrowband #HSOpalette #Halpha #OIII #SII #SpacePhotography #BackyardAstronomy #AstronomyLovers #Sh2119 #ClamshellNebula #Cygnus
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396)
=============================
Stepping into this frame feels like drifting through a quiet storm of gas, dust, and newborn stars. Center stage is the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, a sinuous, pillar-like structure embedded within the vast emission nebula IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus. The scene spans light-years of interstellar sculpture carved by radiation and stellar winds from hot, massive stars.
This region captures a star-forming ecosystem in motion. Radiation from massive stars sculpts the surrounding cloud into pillars and globules, compressing some areas while dispersing others. Over millions of years, these processes recycle cosmic material, seeding future generations of stars and planets — raw ingredients for worlds and, potentially, life.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 40min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250819_ic1396
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #ic1396 #elephantstrunk #elephantstrunknebula #elephantstrunknebulae
=============================
Stepping into this frame feels like drifting through a quiet storm of gas, dust, and newborn stars. Center stage is the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, a sinuous, pillar-like structure embedded within the vast emission nebula IC 1396 in the constellation Cepheus. The scene spans light-years of interstellar sculpture carved by radiation and stellar winds from hot, massive stars.
This region captures a star-forming ecosystem in motion. Radiation from massive stars sculpts the surrounding cloud into pillars and globules, compressing some areas while dispersing others. Over millions of years, these processes recycle cosmic material, seeding future generations of stars and planets — raw ingredients for worlds and, potentially, life.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 5hrs 40min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250819_ic1396
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #stellarevolution #spaceisart #ic1396 #elephantstrunk #elephantstrunknebula #elephantstrunknebulae
The Ghost of Cassiopeia (IC 63)
========================
I captured a ghost! 👻
Say hello to IC 63, also known as the “Ghost of Cassiopeia.” This beautiful nebula lies about 550 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia and gets its nickname from the faint, eerie glow sculpted by intense radiation from the nearby star Gamma Cassiopeiae. The nebula glows red thanks to hydrogen-alpha emission and shows blue where dust reflects starlight. Capturing this faint cloud is always a fun challenge, especially with the bright nearby star lighting things up!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 12hrs 30min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250818_ic63
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #ghostofcassiopeia #ic63 #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #wolframstar #stellarevolution #spaceisart
========================
I captured a ghost! 👻
Say hello to IC 63, also known as the “Ghost of Cassiopeia.” This beautiful nebula lies about 550 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia and gets its nickname from the faint, eerie glow sculpted by intense radiation from the nearby star Gamma Cassiopeiae. The nebula glows red thanks to hydrogen-alpha emission and shows blue where dust reflects starlight. Capturing this faint cloud is always a fun challenge, especially with the bright nearby star lighting things up!
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 12hrs 30min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250818_ic63
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #ghostofcassiopeia #ic63 #nebula #deepspace #space #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #wolframstar #stellarevolution #spaceisart
The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888)
=========================
5,000 light-years away, a dying Wolf-Rayet star unleashes violent winds that sculpt glowing shells of gas into this breathtaking crescent. What looks like delicate beauty is actually a cosmic battleground where creation and destruction dance together.
This is why astrophotography transcends science — it reveals the universe’s hidden artistry, one photon at a time. Sometimes the most beautiful art comes from the most violent processes in nature.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia TriBand RGB Ultra
Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ5 GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 Guide Scope with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 4hrs 50min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250812_ngc6888
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #squidnebula #flyingbatnebula #nebula #crescentnebula #ngc6888 #cygnus #deepspace #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #wolframstar #stellarevolution #spaceisart
=========================
5,000 light-years away, a dying Wolf-Rayet star unleashes violent winds that sculpt glowing shells of gas into this breathtaking crescent. What looks like delicate beauty is actually a cosmic battleground where creation and destruction dance together.
This is why astrophotography transcends science — it reveals the universe’s hidden artistry, one photon at a time. Sometimes the most beautiful art comes from the most violent processes in nature.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia TriBand RGB Ultra
Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ5 GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 Guide Scope with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 4hrs 50min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250812_ngc6888
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #squidnebula #flyingbatnebula #nebula #crescentnebula #ngc6888 #cygnus #deepspace #nightsky #astronomy #cosmos #stargazing #wolframstar #stellarevolution #spaceisart
The Flying Bat & Squid Nebulae
========================
The Flying Bat Nebula, cataloged as Sh2-129, is a large, relatively faint emission nebula located in the constellation Cepheus, about 2,300 light-years from Earth. It lies close to the brighter and more commonly imaged IC 1396 nebula, home of the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula and spans over 2.5 degrees across the sky — about five times the apparent diameter of the full Moon — making it visually impressive but challenging to observe due to its faintness.
Sh2-129 is primarily an H-alpha emission nebula, meaning its reddish glow is produced by ionized hydrogen atoms. Inside Sh2-129 is the remarkable Squid Nebula (Ou4), emitting a striking blue-green light due to doubly ionized oxygen (O-III), forming a very faint, bipolar structure that stretches nearly 50 light-years in length.
HR 8119, the bright star at the center of Ou4, is a hot, massive triple star system and may have launched the outflow that created the Squid Nebula approximately 90,000 years ago. This region also contains a small mixed emission and reflection nebula, vdB 140, further adding to its complexity.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia TriBand RGB Ultra
Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ5 GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 Guide Scope with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 22hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250615_sh2-129
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #squidnebula #flyingbatnebula
========================
The Flying Bat Nebula, cataloged as Sh2-129, is a large, relatively faint emission nebula located in the constellation Cepheus, about 2,300 light-years from Earth. It lies close to the brighter and more commonly imaged IC 1396 nebula, home of the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula and spans over 2.5 degrees across the sky — about five times the apparent diameter of the full Moon — making it visually impressive but challenging to observe due to its faintness.
Sh2-129 is primarily an H-alpha emission nebula, meaning its reddish glow is produced by ionized hydrogen atoms. Inside Sh2-129 is the remarkable Squid Nebula (Ou4), emitting a striking blue-green light due to doubly ionized oxygen (O-III), forming a very faint, bipolar structure that stretches nearly 50 light-years in length.
HR 8119, the bright star at the center of Ou4, is a hot, massive triple star system and may have launched the outflow that created the Squid Nebula approximately 90,000 years ago. This region also contains a small mixed emission and reflection nebula, vdB 140, further adding to its complexity.
Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia TriBand RGB Ultra
Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ5 GT
Guiding: Svbony SV165 Guide Scope with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Integration time: 22hrs 20min
Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20250615_sh2-129
#astrophotography #astrophoto #astrophotographer #deepsky #deepskyphotography #deepskyobject #deepskyastrophotography #squidnebula #flyingbatnebula
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