🔭AstroBackyard

Trevor Jones 🌌 I Take Pictures of Space from my Backyard. YouTube:

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The Helix Nebula 🫠

This is my latest version of this incredible planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius.

Capturing this nebula from the backyard is very difficult, as it skirts the southern horizon, barely clearing the treeline.

I took this image over two nights, collecting just 5 hours of total exposure time with a color camera and a dual-band filter.

This particular camera/telescope combo has produced some of my favorite images over the last 2 years, especially with that L-eXtreme filter.

October is a great month to go after this one with your camera and telescope, as long as it's not too low for you!

Image Details:

60 x 300s (5 Hours Total)

Equipment Used:

Telescope: https://t.co/cCHh51JIPd
Camera: https://t.co/4FiUUJzsqh
Filter: https://t.co/kCuRLzM7DJ

(picture of my setup in the comments)

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

@tw__astro Congrats, Tom!!

[Tom Williams @tw__astro]

Mars this morning, captured under average seeing. Sinus Meridiani is central with Syrtis Major on the day/night terminator. The north polar cap is also nicely seen.

24" Dob, Uranus-M/C cameras at 9000mm f/15. (R)OSC, ~45 mins of data.

[Ghost Senshi 🌌📸 @AbhLafiel]

Here it is! Freshly finished, The Ghost Nebula IC63 in Cassiopeia, along with IC 59 below it. Together between Friday and Saturday night, I put 7hrs on it from a bortle 4 location 🌌
I meant to have it sooner, but I was trying something new, and it ended up being a waste of time 😂

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

@AbhLafiel Thanks buddy!

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

I captured this planetary nebula from my backyard last year, collecting a whopping 13 hours of total exposure time.

Cataloged as Sharpless 188 (Sh2-188), it’s a relatively small target in Cassiopeia, and easy to overlook next to the constellation’s much larger nebulae.

For this image, I used the ZWO ASI585MC Air, a ‘smart camera’ that combines a color imaging camera, an autoguiding sensor, and a Wi-Fi controller in one. (I run this one constantly) 🤓

One of my favorite things about astrophotography is discovering little gems like this hiding in the night sky!

About the Camera: https://t.co/BUrtBG0Bue

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The 'Little Cocoon' Nebula

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

New Telescope Alert! ⚠️

I've been testing the Askar N160 for the past 3 months, and it's sparked that astro-fire in my veins again.

Because this little light bucket is so fast (F/3.4), I've been mainly using it for LIVE STACKING broadband targets using 60-second exposures.

You heard that right... 🤓

I'm basically treating this setup like a totally overpowered smart telescope, and the results have been exciting. (teaser pic in the comments)

The whole thing weighs like 22 pounds, and I can get a 6-inch aperture monster running in minutes. It's super finicky with spacing and collimation - but I think I've got it dialed in now.

I'll explain everything in my latest video on Friday - and I think you are really going to like this one!

BUILD THIS RIG:

Camera: https://t.co/xQlFMrCAle
Telescope: https://t.co/o13xXniPhI
Mount: https://t.co/10KEQNlsSF

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

Bonus points if you can name the target!

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The 7 Sisters ✨

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The California Nebula 📸

Here's an astrophotography target you can start this month! It's rising higher into the eastern sky each night.

This intense emission nebula lives in the constellation Perseus - and the Pleiades star cluster is not far behind.

This is my latest attempt at NGC 1499 using an ultra-portable camera and telescope rig in the backyard over 2 nights.

As always, I'd love to see your latest image of the California Nebula in the comments 🤓

Equipment Used:

Camera: https://t.co/DwawHh7Z4C
Telescope: https://t.co/IJKLBZBdWG
Mount: https://t.co/A2eKOFft9l

Total Exposure: 9 Hours

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

Pacman Nebula - SEESTAR EDITION! 📷

It still blows my mind that results like this are possible with a smart telescope in the backyard.

This is a simple autostack (done in the Seestar) of 312 images of NGC 281 using the built-in LP filter. (30 seconds each)

I processed the stack in Photoshop and PixInsight using my usual workflow, and ended up with this.

I will say - using EQ mode is an absolute must for deep projects like this. It makes a huge difference.

Not bad for an all-in-one device I plunked down on a random clear night. What a time to be alive! 😆

My Full Review: https://t.co/lsY7psNTJF

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The Soul Nebula 📷

Here's my latest picture of the spectacular 'Soul Nebula' in the constellation Cassiopeia.

This dynamic emission nebula is the Heart Nebula's nearest neighbor (it's just out of frame)

Next month, Cassiopeia rises high into the sky and is easily recognizable by its distinct 'W' star pattern.

You'll find the Soul Nebula bordering the constellation Perseus, very close to the iconic double star cluster in that region.

It's one of the best astrophotography targets in the entire sky, and October is a great month to capture it!
Photo Details:

336 x 5 minutes (28 hours total exposure) 🫠
Captured over 8 nights

Stacked in PI, Processed in PS and PI

Camera: https://t.co/A3nQv0S9Iu
Telescope: https://t.co/LdNHsHt90O
Filter https://t.co/eNql8HU6xI

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

Do Traditional Astrophotography Mounts Still Matter? 🤔

My 6-Month Review of the Sky-Watcher HEQ5-R Pro: https://t.co/LhpTeauUjx

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

@yknotme6977 Nice!! Gotta capture the Eagle while you still can :)

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The Wizard Nebula 🧙‍♂️

Here's a great target for your camera and telescope this month: NGC 7380!

It's a bright emission nebula with an embedded star cluster located roughly 8,000 light-years from Earth.

I captured this image of the Wizard Nebula with my reflector telescope in the backyard last September - and it's my best yet.

The telescope I used has a focal length of 800mm, which seems to be 'just right' for a target of this size.

This is my longest-ever exposure on the Wizard, totaling 18 hours from my backyard in the city.

For absolutely everything you could possibly want to know about photographing the Wizard Nebula, I put together a complete guide in the comments. 🤓

Image Details:

72 x 300s HA
72 x 300s OIII
72 x 300s SII

18 Hours Total

Equipment Used:

Camera: https://t.co/i55Do5I0Ig
Telescope: https://t.co/BA6MrnbaOm
Mount: https://t.co/gA2gg1P4zY

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

https://t.co/zcuWneHsFD

[🔭AstroBackyard @AstroBackyard]

The Triangulum Galaxy 📷

September is the perfect month to photograph the Triangulum Galaxy (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere!)

I captured this image of M33 with my refractor telescope from this year's Starfest Star Party.

At about 3 million light-years away, the Triangulum Galaxy can be seen with the naked eye, but only under pristine dark skies!

For this image, I captured images in broadband light (no filter) over the course of 2 nights at my campsite (picture in thread)

Image Details:

150 x 180 seconds (7 Hours, 30 minutes total)

Equipment Used:

Camera: https://t.co/V8MCcCelBW
Telescope: https://t.co/qw3b8vbvgJ
Mount: https://t.co/A7sFmwS4m2