3 Galaxies at once – Messier 65, Messier 66 & NGC3628

Date2017/03/29
LocationLa Palma / Spain
ObjectMessier 65, Messier 66 & NGC3628
CameraAtik383L+
Guidingyes, QHY5-II Mono via OAG
Telescope8" GSO Newtonian
Barlow lensnone
MountEQ6Syntrek
Cooling-10°C
Luminance9x 600s, bin: 1x1
Red9x 150s, bin: 2x2
Green9x 150s, bin: 2x2
Blue9x 150s, bin: 2x2
Dark2x
Flat10x
Total exposure~2h37m

I was able to record this image of three galaxies in a quite windy but clear night with my own equipment. This night I was based on a quiet place in Tacande on La Palma. I used my 8″ GSO Newton telescope in combination with an Atik383L+ cooled camera. The optics were mounted on an EQ6 Syntrek mount. The total exposure time of the resulting image is about ~2h37m.

It is a combination of 9 luminance frames a 600 seconds exposure time (binning 1×1) and 9 frames a 150 seconds exposure time (binning 2×2) for red, green and blue frames.
A full resolution image is available here.

The three objects shown on the picture are M65, M66 and NGC3628 (also known as the Hamburger Galaxy). All are located in constellation Leo. M65 and M66 were discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. Both are intermediate spiral galaxies and between 35 million and 36 million light-years away. The Hamburger Galaxy is an unbarred spiral galaxy also about 35 million light-years away which was discovered 4 years later by William Herschel.

Clear skies!

Last updated: June 16, 2022 at 12:30 pm

NGC6914 – The dark monster of Cygnus

Behind the unspectacular name NGC6914 a nice emission nebula in constellation Cygnus is hiding. To me the nebula looks a little like a dark monster with two deep blue eyes in the center of the picture 😀

The picture is also available in full resolution here.

Date2015/07/15
LocationBöblingen / Germany
ObjectNGC6914 (Emission Nebula)
CameraAtik383L+
Guidingyes, QHY5-II Mono via OAG
Telescope8" GSO Newtonian
Barlow lensnone
MountEQ6Syntrek
Cooling-15°C
Luminance7x, 600s, bin: 1x1
Red5x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Green5x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Blue5x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Dark10x
Flat10x
Total exposure~1h50min.

Clear skies!

Last updated: June 16, 2022 at 23:19 pm

Astrophotography Oberstdorf – Imaging the Witch’s Broom Nebula

This article is about Astrophotography in Oberstdorf. Last year I put all my equipment into the car and drove to Lake Garda. Unfortunately, in contrast to the forecast I had lots of clouds and no chance to take a good astro-picture. Last weekend I decided to give it another try and took all my equipment to Oberstdorf – a small village at the foot of the German Alps. Beside hiking I think this place is well suited for astrophotography.

I found a good place not far from the center of Oberstdorf, with free view to Polaris and almost no traffic:

GPS coordinates: 47°24’17.5″N 10°17’28.9″E

Important update: The described location can only be reached by car when driving into a “no entry” road. Of course you do this on your own risk.

(Oh, and btw. a good Italian restaurant is also not too far: Ai Quattro Canti…)

Continue reading →

NGC2264 – Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster

Last night (2015/03/11) I surprisingly had clear sky here 🙂 I had no plan and finally decided to try imaging the region around NGC2264 before moon rise. The seeing was about ~2.5-3″. This is the result.

Date2015/02/19
LocationBöblingen / Germany
ObjectMessier 35 cluster
CameraAtik383L+
Guidingyes, QHY5-II Mono via OAG
Telescope8" GSO Newtonian
Barlow lensnone
MountEQ6Syntrek
Cooling-15°C
Luminance9x, 400s, bin: 1x1
Red8x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Green8x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Blue8x, 150s, bin: 2x2
Dark5x
Flat10x
Total exposure~2h00min.

Clear skies!

Last updated: June 22, 2022 at 20:41 pm

Flame Nebula (NGC2024), Alnitak and NGC 2023

The Flame Nebula (NGC2024) is an emission nebula in constellation Orion. Looking at the image you can imagine where the name is coming from. The bright star right to the “flame” is called Alnitak, a hot blue super giant. At the bottom left is another object – the emission and reflection nebula NGC 2023. This is quite “close” to the Horsehead nebula. The blue spot in the center of the image is a reflex caused by the bright star.

The image is also available in full resolution.

Clear skies!

Date2015/02/11
LocationBöblingen / Germany
ObjectFlame Nebula (NGC2024)
CameraAtik383L+
Guidingyes, DMK31AU03.AS via OAG
Telescope8" GSO Newtonian
Barlow lensnone
MountEQ6Syntrek
Cooling-15°C
Luminance8x 400s, bin: 1x1
Red8x 150s, bin: 2x2
Green8x 150s, bin: 2x2
Blue8x 150s, bin: 2x2
Dark6x
Flat10x
Total exposure~1h53m
Last updated: June 19, 2022 at 22:23 pm