Takahashi FSQ85-EDX on Sergey's Astrophotography

LDN 1295: The Giraffe Nebula

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:18:00 +0000

This deep exposure showcases LDN 1295, popularly known as the Giraffe Nebula, situated in the constellation Cassiopeia. Unlike glowing emission nebulae, this object is a dense molecular dark nebula cataloged by Beverly Lynds. It is composed of interstellar dust grains and cold gas that physically obstruct the background starlight, creating prominent, sculpted lanes of darkness.

Deep luminance integration was essential to reveal the soft gradients, delicate outer fringes, and subtle illumination along the dust structures. Combined with broadband RGB data for natural star colors, this field highlights the vast, quiet expanse of dust lanes threading across our Milky Way.

M81, M82 and surroundings

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:56:00 +0000

This wide-field capture highlights the dynamic grouping of Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82), framed by the delicate, wispy structures of the Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN).

Dominating the center of the frame is M81, a grand-design spiral galaxy presenting a brilliantly warm core and sweeping spiral arms punctuated by pink star-forming regions. Positioned above it is the edge-on M82. The intense gravitational tidal forces from its larger neighbor have ignited massive starburst activity within M82, visible here as striking red plumes of ionized hydrogen gas erupting outward from its galactic plane perpendicular to the disk.

IC 1805: The Heart Nebula in SHO

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 18:07:00 +0000

This spectacular image presents IC 1805, famously known as the Heart Nebula, captured using narrowband filters and processed in the classic Hubble Space Telescope (SHO) color palette. Located about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia, this massive emission nebula is sculpted by the intense stellar winds and ultraviolet radiation from the young, central open star cluster known as Melotte 15.

The deep narrowband data—where Sulfur-II is mapped to red, Hydrogen-alpha to green, and Oxygen-III to blue—reveals the complex dynamics of the glowing gas and the silhouette of dark dust lanes in striking detail. To preserve a natural look for the starry background, broadband RGB data was also collected and blended specifically to render the stars in their true colors.

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) in Motion

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A short time-lapse of comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) moving against the background stars.

Frames were calibrated, aligned and assembled into the video.

Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN)

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) shows a large, luminous green coma with a faint tail stretching sideways across a rich star field; a small group of galaxies sits upper left.

Stacked on the comet to keep the coma sharp and processed in PixInsight.

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and NGC 3180

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) with a vivid green coma and a long ion tail that shows fine filamentary structure, with the spiral galaxy NGC 3180 in the same field.

Stacked on the comet and on the stars separately, then combined and processed in PixInsight.

M31: Andromeda Galaxy

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:24:00 +0000

This deep exposure of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, reveals the intricate details of our closest large galactic neighbor. The inclusion of nearly 6 hours of Hydrogen-alpha data highlights the vivid red star-forming regions scattered throughout the galaxy’s sprawling spiral arms. The image also prominently features Andromeda’s two satellite galaxies: the compact elliptical galaxy M32, situated close to the bright galactic core, and the larger dwarf elliptical galaxy M110, located further below. The dark, sweeping dust lanes are highly defined, contrasting beautifully against the stellar glow of the galactic disk.

IC 1848: The Soul Nebula

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:35:00 +0000

This image captures IC 1848, famously known as the Soul Nebula, located approximately 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia. Together with its neighbor, the Heart Nebula, it forms a massive star-forming complex in the Perseus Spiral Arm of our galaxy.

The nebula is home to several open star clusters, such as IC 1848 itself, whose intense radiation and stellar winds have carved out the vast cavities and pillar-like structures seen in the glowing hydrogen gas. This deep exposure combines narrowband Hydrogen-alpha data to highlight the intricate structural details of the ionized clouds with RGB data to ensure natural star colors and background depth.

LDN 1228 and LBN 552: Galactic Cirrus

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:55:00 +0000

This deep exposure focuses on LDN 1228 and the surrounding LBN 552 region, an expansive and intricate molecular cloud complex located in the constellation Cepheus. Unlike emission nebulae that glow from ionized gas, these structures are part of the galactic cirrus—massive, dense clouds of interstellar dust that obscure the starlight behind them while faintly reflecting the integrated light of the Milky Way galaxy.

The image reveals dramatic, sweeping filaments of dark brownish dust contrasting against the starry background. The long exposure times, particularly through the luminance filter, were crucial to pull out the incredibly faint details and delicate textures of this elusive cosmic landscape.

Sh2-115, Sh2-116 and surrounding LBNs

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:01:00 +0000

This deep wide-field exposure showcases Sh2-115, a prominent but faint emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. The field is incredibly rich in glowing hydrogen gas, featuring intricate networks of cosmic dust and faint Lynds Bright Nebulae (LBNs) spanning across the background.

Also visible in this deep field is the small, distinct circular patch of Sh2-116 (often associated with Abell 71). Once classified as a planetary nebula due to its morphological appearance, it was reclassified in 1991 as a compact HII region, although its classification is still discussed. This image perfectly highlights the intense red hydrogen-alpha emissions layered with natural RGB star colors.

NGC 7635: The Bubble Nebula

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:15:00 +0000

This image highlights NGC 7635, famously known as the Bubble Nebula, located in the constellation Cassiopeia. The delicate, glowing sphere is actually a cavity blown out of the surrounding molecular cloud by the intense stellar winds and radiation from a massive, hot central star (BD+60°2522). The fierce interaction between the expanding bubble and the denser surrounding material creates the sharp, luminous edges visible in this deep capture.

Note: This image is a detailed crop taken from the wider field capture of the Lobster Claw Nebula (Sh2-157) and its surrounding region.

Sh2-157: The Lobster Claw Nebula and Surrounding Region

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:15:00 +0000

This wide-field deep exposure captures a remarkably rich and active region of the night sky located on the border of the constellations Cassiopeia and Cepheus. Dominating the left side of the frame is Sh2-157, often referred to as the Lobster Claw Nebula, a large emission nebula characterized by its sweeping, claw-like structures of ionized hydrogen gas.

To the upper right, the iconic Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) is clearly visible, formed by the fierce stellar wind from a massive central star pushing against the surrounding molecular cloud. Just above it sits the bright and compact open star cluster M52 (The Scorpion Cluster), beautifully contrasting the deep red hydrogen emission with the sparkling blue and white light of its hundreds of young stars. Additional smaller emission patches are scattered throughout this incredibly dynamic cosmic landscape.

Sh2-114: The Flying Dragon Nebula

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:12:00 +0000

Sh2-114, popularly known as the Flying Dragon Nebula, is a faint and complex emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. It features delicate, wispy filaments of glowing hydrogen gas that stretch across the star-rich background, creating an unmistakable silhouette of a mythical dragon taking flight across the cosmos.

The intricate, ribbon-like structures of this nebula are quite unusual. This image combines deep Hydrogen-alpha data to reveal the structural details, layered with RGB data for natural star colors.

LDN 1217 and PK 111+11.1: Wolf's Cave Region

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 12:25:00 +0000

This deep exposure captures the fascinating region around the dark nebula LDN 1217 in the constellation Cepheus. The long, dusty filament obscures background stars and terminates in a striking blue reflection nebula, vdB 152 (also known as Wolf’s Cave), where the dust is illuminated by a hot nearby star.

Adding brilliant contrast to the scene is the planetary nebula PK 111+11.1, glowing brightly in teal and red in the upper right. Faint sweeps of red hydrogen emission, captured using the dual-band L-eXtreme filter, streak across the rich starry background, highlighting the complex and dynamic interstellar medium of this area.

LDN 1235: The Shark Nebula

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 17:28:00 +0000

This deep exposure captures LDN 1235, famously known as the Shark Nebula, located in the constellation Cepheus. This large, dark molecular cloud complex is part of a vast region of galactic cirrus—faint, dusty material illuminated by the integrated starlight of the Milky Way. Its dense, light-absorbing dust creates the distinct shape of a shark’s head and body seemingly cruising through the cosmic ocean.

Accompanying the “shark” are two beautiful blue reflection nebulae, vdB 149 and vdB 150, which are illuminated by nearby hot stars and perfectly highlight the edges of the dark dust. Adding further depth to the background, a distant spiral galaxy (PGC 67671) is visible to the right of the main nebula.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 17:27:00 +0000

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) a few days after its closest approach to Earth: a compact green coma, from the glow of diatomic carbon, trails a broad, bright dust tail across the frame.

Stacked on the comet to keep the nucleus sharp and processed in PixInsight.

LDN 1355, 1357 & 1358: The Helping Hand Nebula

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:19:00 +0000

This deep exposure captures the intriguing dark nebula complex of LDN 1355, LDN 1357, and LDN 1358, affectionately known as the “Helping Hand Nebula.” Located in the constellation Cassiopeia, this dense cloud of interstellar dust obscures the light from the background stars, creating the distinct silhouette of a hand reaching out across the cosmos.

The surrounding field is heavily populated with faint, sweeping, brownish cosmic dust (often referred to as galactic cirrus) and delicate patches of blue reflection nebulae. This highlights the incredibly dynamic and dusty environment of this fascinating region.

M5: Globular Cluster in Serpens

Sun, 26 May 2024 18:19:00 +0000

This image presents M5, a spectacular globular cluster in the constellation Serpens, located roughly 24,500 light-years away. Spanning about 160 light-years, it is one of the larger globular clusters known, and with an estimated age of more than 10 billion years, it is also one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1702.

The image shows the cluster’s intensely concentrated, brilliant core surrounded by a wide halo of resolved stars. The natural star colors are well preserved, with numerous orange red giants standing out against the bluish-white glow of the dense stellar population, offering a vivid glimpse into one of the Milky Way’s most ancient stellar systems.