Boyd Observatory
Here are a few more examples of recent images
Page one, Page three, Home
M74
Supernova Remnant imaged Dec. 9, 2020
This face-on spiral galaxy was discovered in 1780 by Charles Messier. The galaxy is about 32 million light years away in the constillation Pisces. My image is a sum of twenty seven exposures out of fifty seven taken that night. This is a subject I will have to return to as soon as possible. Perhaps with my planned upgrades I will be able to collect a few hours of data.
The Wizard NGC 7380
Bright nebula in the constellation of Cepheus Imaged Oct. 8, 2020
NGC 7380 is obvious in a short sixty second exposure. However even at F 4.5 showing the details will require much more exposure data. This was one of the first images captured after one of my more significant upgrades and my expectations were high. Some of the detail is seen in this shot but I look forward to making a much better image next year! This image is the sum of thirty two frames.
NGC 5457
Face on spiral imaged April 20, 2020
This lovely galaxy is located in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy is about 21 million light years away. This was the first successful image made after rebuilding my telescope drive. The image is obviously not so good but it did prove that my upgrades were moving me in the right direction. I recall my drive home from the observatory being really happy that I had successfully imaged a galaxy with equipment that was never intended for long exposure astrophotography!
IC 63 90 minutes
Bright Nebula Cepheus Imaged Nov. 20, 2020
The bluish glow seen shinning in this image comes from the intense radiation of the bright star Gamma Cassiopeia. This photo is the sum of twenty nine images out of fifty three collected that night. All of the photos on these pages would benifit from much more exposure than I am presently able to collect but it is my hope that future the work seen here will be exposures measured in hours, not minutes.
