Late entry for my 2022 observatory summary thread!

Data captured in August/Sept. Had lots of trouble processing this one - the [OIII] "squid" in raw data is faint! Using Generalised Hyperbolic Stretch (first time for me) helped.

Ha part of this is catalogued as Sh2-129 (& probably other #'s 🤪). The "Squid" is catalogued as OU4 - from the (unofficial?) "Nicolas Outters" catalogue.

Someday I'd like to take another stab at processing this.

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

Couple more from 2022. First is M42 from January. Have been wanting to revisit the processing on this since I came across Bill Blanshan's script for dual-narrowband data (which is awesome).

Second is a close-up of the Question Nebula (NGC 7822). From September. Not entirely happy with this result but there is some interesting detail in the blue nebulosity.

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Plowing through processing 'overlooked' 2022 data. Have time because clear-sky drought ☹️😭 .

Here's Sh2-235 et al. Can't recall which was intended target? But happy to get, umm, something. 🤪

Why is galaxy NGC2841 not centered in image, considering imaging rig does auto-centering? Perhaps coords (from planetarium program) not correct? Have had this before, but usually with nebula type objects where "center" can be open to interpretation.

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

Need to get this 2022 summary thread wound up!

Still working on processing data from last year. Just finished with these ...

Bubble Nebula from October.

Abell 85 (LBN 576, CTB1)*
- a supernova remnant, from November.

My narrowband processing is still pretty rough** but happy with this Abell 85 result given that it was so faint.

* astronomers are pretty fond of catalogues! 🤪
** so is my broadband and planetary, tbf 🙄

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

During Fall, post camping season, set up mobile rig in the back yard. Continued to 'focus' 🙄 it on narrow band nebulae.

This Bubble Nebula is only couple hours integration, so pretty good result I think. But not surprisingly, noise is still noticeable even after stacking and noise reduction.

Also managed to squeeze in some solar before my weather turned sour in late Fall.

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On clear moonless nights, I sometimes tackle broadband targets such as reflection nebulae (1st two here - VdB 9 and VdB 15). A challenge for my light polluted back yard.

Also like trying less-common targets like these - Little Rosette & Northern Trifid Nebula.

Something is not right with the NT (very noisy). Might just be crappy data (ie. was somewhat hazy sky) or maybe something haywire with the calibration process that I can't figure out?

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With longer nights into the Fall, the backyard observatory gets more use. It helped that the weather cooperated (relative to my local marine jet-stream-dominated climate 🤪).

Have been working on new processing techniques - with varying levels of success. Mostly with PixInsight. Always something new to learn. I enjoy the journey even when the software is absolutely kicking my butt. :=)

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Aurora Timelapse.

Mastodon might compress/mangle the resolution on this timelapse video. Full resolution available here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlskies/52351717755/in/album-72157714174945456/

#ParksCanada #TerraNovaNP
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Always sad saying goodbye to camping season, meteor chair, imaging rigs and all. But can look forward to next camping season. Half-way there already!

With one of my timelapses in September I unexpectedly picked up some #aurora.

#ParksCanada #TerraNovaNP
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Did a little planetary observing in the Fall. Used a monochrome camera (QHY5iii174M) and results were not great. But was fun to get out observing with my 86 year old dad!

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It is particularly satisfying to capture #AirGlow in my summer #NightScape pictures. Seen here as horizontal bands of green & purple. Need dark sky location to capture it. Technically, it (& the Milky Way) are natural forms of #LightPollution.

Towards constellation Auriga, you are looking through the Milky Way, but away from the MW center. So, much less stars - but dark patches/nebula are still obvious.

#ParksCanada #TerraNovaNP
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This past summer I also spent time testing an upgraded "mobile" rig based on 100mm refractor, monochrome cooled cmos camera and narrowband filters. First results have been promising. Particularly pleased with the North America and Heart nebulae results.

How backed up am I with processing? Well, there's unprocessed data from this rig going back to July. Just for starters. 🤪 That's what you call a 'good' problem.

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

In addition to summer DSLR wide field, I also did some not-so-wide field imaging with my new-to-me 35mm lens. Still aiming for Milky Way, but at constellation-size field of view.

Camera was on a tracking mount and these are stacks of longer exposures (up to a minute) for total of up to 1 hour. Took some fiddling to sort out calibration frames and processing, but I think worth it.

#ParksCanada #TerraNovaNP
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Summer is for camping ⛺ and the Milky Way 🌃 . Under darker skies when possible, so observatory 'sits on the bench' (unless I run it remotely!).

Had a good year for Milky Way shots (for me). These are single images taken with Canon 6D & 14mm lens on a tripod. Generally around 20sec exposure at 3200 or 6400iso. Processed in Lightroom.

#ParksCanada #TerraNovaNP
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Short summer nights mean limited imaging time, in my neck of the woods. Especially June/July.

Disappointed w/ Cocoon nebula result - dual narrowband filter not a good match for this target, IMO. Happy w/ the 11x5 minutes on Eastern Veil nebula.

Had fun capturing meteors of "new" Tau Herculid meteor shower May 30/31, for the #GMN. Apparently I "cannot attach video to a post already containing images" so will post that in a reply shortly.

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

As with most targets of the back yard observatory this year, 🔭 this M101 galaxy and Lion nebula were captured using Esprit 150, QHY128C and 5 minute subs. Processed in PixInsight. Have been trying for longer multi-hour total integration times, to improve signal-to-noise characteristics.

May also marks the start of camping season. Lucky this year to have had a seasonal site at my local #DarkSkyPreserve 🔭 🌃

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022 #TerraNovaNP #ParksCanada

Spring *is* #GalaxySeason so took another stab at Messier 51 Whirlpool. Happy with results - for a OSC camera. Next time, would like to try with a mono cam and add some Ha.

May marked the end of my "Elephant Trunk" project - this is a crop of result. Also took another stab at the Sunflower galaxy.

May 15/16 also marked a #LunarEclipse. Here is the moon as it nears full eclipse. This eclipse was noticeably darker than recent past eclipses.

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Achievements in April:

First solar image of the year.

Capture of recently discovered super nova SN2022hrs (in NGC4647, next to M60).

Established 2 meteor cameras as part of the Global Meteor Network project.

The GMN cameras automatically capture 'transients' and forward data to a central server for processing. More info here:
https://globalmeteornetwork.org/

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From March and early April.

Try to diversify targets when possible. In this case experimented using dual-narrowband on M97 Owl planetary nebula and nearby galaxy (M108). The galaxy looked terrible after processing (and thusly cropped out!) but the Owl came out decent.

Was particularly chuffed with the M109 barred spiral galaxy result. Moon is a single (and not particularly well focused) image.

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022

The namesake (and construction supervisor!) for Jack Dog Observatory passed on in 2021. Beginning his journey back to the stars. He is missed. 💕

There is, of course, a new sheriff in town! Louie. 🐩

#DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfAstronomy
#nlskies2022 #astrodon #astronomy