Derek Chastain

Amateur astrophotographer

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Here is the Pinwheel Galaxy from my telescope last night. This spiral galaxy, also known as M101, can be found just above the handle of the Big Dipper.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Pictures from the Saturn and Jupiter Conjunction! The first one from Dec. 21st is overexposed to show Jupiter’s moons. The second one from the 22nd better shows Jupiter’s cloud belts and Saturn’s rings!

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Three different Saturn pictures from last night. One Infrared at wavelengths above 742nm, another IR above 850nm, and one in full color (400-700nm). Each shows different features and levels of contrast but the color is usually the most pretty!

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Whirlpool Galaxy M51 and Galaxy NGC5195. I captured this picture Sunday night. These galaxies are about 31 million light years away and the big spiral (M51) may be playing tug-of-war with stars in the compact galaxy on the right (NGC5195).

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

A star has exploded about 60 million light years away! M61 is a faint galaxy in the constellation Virgo. Mistaken as a comet in 1779, it has hosted 8 supernova explosions since 1926. Bright points of light are normally stars in our galaxy but circled here is supernova SN2020jfo.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

ISS and Dragon Endeavour Docked Together May 31, 2020 https://t.co/Jo6Iu6m2l6 via @YouTube

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Thanks Aaron! I was very pleased with the color and structure especially in M66.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Here is the “Leo Triplet,” a formation of three galaxies in the constellation Leo. I took this picture on April 21st. The first picture is the original and the second is labeled with the galaxies catalog numbers and their distances from Earth.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

https://t.co/wZ1DbbRDhl

With my utmost respect for Mr. Rogers and all that he stood for, please enjoy this clip of my life at home during the covid-19 pandemic. I hope it brings a little laughter during this difficult time.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

April 19, 2020 Time Lapse (Venus is the brightest light on the right & the constellation Orion is setting in the center) https://t.co/MWU2mplXgW via @YouTube

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

The Horsehead and Flame nebulas in Orion’s Belt. The horsehead shape is a dark nebula positioned in front of an emission nebula about 800 light years away. This image is composed of about 3.7 hours of data from one night in December and two nights in February.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Here is a slightly brighter version!

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

M27 nebula from Friday night. Charles Messier first discovered this in 1764. This type of nebula can result when a star explodes. Also known as the dumbbell nebula it is over 1200 light years away.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Saturn in infrared from last night.

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Here is a nice grayscale image of the Ring Nebula (M57) from last night!

[Derek Chastain @derek_chastain]

Grabbed a decent picture of Saturn tonight! Visible first, then infrared.