# 393 | NGC4631
Also known as the Whale galaxy, NGC4631 is an edge-on spiral galaxy found in the constellation Canes Venatici.
Shining at magnitude 9.7 and nearly 25 million light years away from Earth, the galaxy does take on a shape akin to a whale when viewed at lower magnifications.
Stuart Heggie of Flesherton, Ontario created this highly detailed image of NGC4631 after a night of imaging on May 20.
Image specifications:
SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera and CFW8a filter wheel with an Astrodon 6nm H-Alpha filter
Astro-Physics 155EDF triplet refractor with Robofocus
Luminance: 18 x 5 minutes
RGB: 8 x 5 minutes
Self-guided on an Astro-Physics 900GTO mount
Acquired, flats and darks subtracted in CCDSoft5
Alignment and Sigma Reject combine using MaximDL
Levels in Photoshop CS4
Sharpening via High Pass Filters
Noise Reduction via Reduce Noise in Photoshop CS4
# 392 | Patience and Planning Pays Off
Though it may seem to be the easiest form of astrophotography, an excellent on-tripod astrophoto takes planning and skill. The photographer needs to be able to see the shot beforehand and frame it well.
Anthony Ayiomamitis, a Canadian living in Athens, Greece recently took this photo of the Sun rising overtop of the Parthenon.
What was so difficult about capturing the photo? Anthony explains in his e-mail:
"I tried every means possible to strike a balance between the foreground sacred temple and the rising Sun so as to be able to use a SINGLE exposure for my desired photo. In addition to prime focus with the camera set at the most conservative settings (ISO 100, 1/4000 second) , I also tried using a lunar filter which reduces the transmission to 12.5% (ie. ND 0.9) as well as a pair of stacked lunar filters yielding a transmission of 0.015625%. I also attempted using Baader's photographic filter (ND 3.8). The end result was always the same, for there would be no balance in lighting for BOTH foreground and background (the Sun) SIMULTANEOUSLY.
The solution to the above dilemma was to wait for mornings characterized with slight haze or very thin clouds, for the haze and/ or clouds were able to diffuse the brightness of the Sun sufficiently so as to allow me to pursue a SINGLE exposure. Since haze and thin clouds vary from day to day, I had to learn to estimate the effects of a particular day's haze/thin clouds on my final result and which was accomplished relatively quickly.
Once the issue of balanced light was overcome, I had to identify a location which not only provides me with a clear view of the Parthenon but which allows for the Sun to rise as close to the sacred temple as possible due to the fact that Athens (and the Parthenon at its center) is surrounded by seven hills up to nearly 1000 meters in height.
To complicate matters, we also need a "proper" distance when shooting the Parthenon and the rising Sun so as to have a proper and balanced aspect ration between these two subjects of the photo. Using the angular diameter of the Parthenon as viewed at a diagonal so as to have an apparent diameter of approximately 30 arc-minutes, purposely equivalent to the apparent diameter of the rising sun, nine different locations were eventually identified for this project.
So while some on-tripod photos can be taken rather quickly and easily, others require extensive planning, thought and patience!
# 391 | Mosaic of the Moon
Deep sky imagers often take many, many hours of data and then combine it all to create a final image. To cover a larger target, some imagers will create a mosaic to present their chosen target in a more detailed manner.
Nebulas and galaxies aren't the only objects that mosaics are created for.
Daniel Borcard used four separate elements to create this lunar mosaic, using data made from approximately 400 frames per section.
Daniel shot through a Celestron 9.25-inch SCT using a DMK 31AF03 camera. Processing and stacking was completed using Registax 4 and Adobe Photoshop CS3.
# 390 | M51
Shawn Neilsen of Waterloo, Ontario is a relative beginner when it comes to astrophotography, having only begun taking photos of the night sky since last September.
This photo of M51 is the result of stacking 20 two-minute exposures taken though a Sky-Watcher Equinox 80mm refractor taking over the course of two separate nights.
Since he does not have an autoguider, Shawn combated that by stacking short-exposure images. The result speaks for itself.
And as Shawn writes, "I thought it might be of interest to show what astro-imagers just starting out like I am can achieve with a little patience and persistence. There’s always the “wow” images in magazines but sometimes seeing a fellow newbies' work can be inspiring for those venturing into astrophotography."
Very true!
# 389 | The Moon, Mercury and the Pleiades
Those fortunate to have clear skies during the last few days of April were able to witness a beautiful scene on the western horizon shortly after dusk: The thin crescent Moon and Mercury hovered above the horizon as the Pleiades supplied a starry backdrop.
Lukas Gornisiewicz captured this stunning photo from Fort Nelson, British Columbia on April 27.
Using a Canon 40D with a zoom lens set to 85mm, Lukas took a 4-second exposure at ISO 200 and f/5.6.
# 388 | Start With The Moon
Many beginners have expectations of obtaining stunning photographs as soon as they purchase a telescope. Unfortunately many find out that capturing a great astrophoto is not as easy as one thinks.
However, today's new cameras, be it webcams or digital cameras do make it easier than in years past.
The Moon is the perfect target for someone just beginning to try astrophotography. Expensive gear isn't needed --- almost any telescope and mount combination can be used to get a moderately decent lunar image.
Bill McGee of Hinton, Alberta used a Canon Powershot A75 digital camera to capture this image of the Moon on March 5, 2009. Using a homemade adapter which enabled him to couple the camera to an eyepiece, Bill took a 1/80 second shot through his 8-inch Dynamax Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
# 387 | ISS Solar Transit
Normal astrophotography can be challenging enough, but what about trying to capture a photo of a spacecraft travelling at nearly 8 km per second as it crosses in front of the Sun?
After his fourth attempt, Raymond Dubois of Ottawa, Ontario was pleased to finally capture his trophy photo — a photograph of the ISS transiting the Sun on .
Using an Ai-S Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 IF-ED lens and a Tamron 2x teleconverter covered by a Baader solar filter, Raymond took a burst of eight frames per second for ten seconds at ISO 400 (exposure time of 1/800 second) using a Nikon D300.
Readers are reminded that observing or photographing the Sun can only be done when a proper solar filter is used. Never look or photograph the Sun without a solar filter.
# 386 | Winter's Treasures Are Disappearing
Those who love the deep sky treasures of the winter constellations don't have much longer to view their favourite objects. With each passing day Orion sinks closer to the western horizon and soon M42 and other treasures will be hidden in the glare of sunset.
Marcus Stevens recently took this image of M42, the Orion nebula from near London, Ontario.
Using an 80mm William Optics refractor equipped with a .8x focal reducer, Marcus took nine exposures ranging from one to 190 seconds using a modified Canon 300D at ISO 800. Processing was done using Neat Image, Adobe Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro 2.
# 385 | Catching A Crescent Moon
A thin crescent Moon is one of the most beautiful sights to behold. But unfortunately many people are unable to glimpse a very thin crescent — hills, buildings or distant clouds on the horizon can all prevent a view.
As Lynn Hillborn can attest, being along side a large body of water certainly helps one's ability to see and photograph the crescent Moon.
Lynn took this image overlooking Lake Ontario at 6:30 a.m. on March 24 from Grafton, Ontario using a Canon 50D and a Canon f/2.8 200mm lens.
Sharp-eyed viewers may notice a faint "star" to the lower right of the Moon just above the horizon — the planet Mars.
# 384 | Galaxies M81 and M82
Most people look forward to spring and the warm temperatures that accompany it. Amateur astronomers are a bit different — we look forward to the number of galaxies that can be seen in the spring sky.
From a moderately dark location, more than a dozen galaxies can easily be seen with an 8-inch telescope in the constellations Leo, Virgo, Coma Berenices and Ursa Major. A larger scope can reveal many more.
Imaging from Schomberg, Ontario, Gord Rife compiled eight hours worth of photos from February 8 to March 14 to create this image of galaxies M81 and M82. Using two different telescopes — 8-inch and 12-inch Newtonians — and a modified Canon 350D along with a Hutech IDAS filter and a Hydrogen-alpha filter to take the photos, the final result was processed using Adobe Photoshop, Images Plus and Registar.
# 383 | Lunar Halo
Though the Moon and clouds can ruin a planned night of observing, sometimes thin clouds and the Moon can nonetheless create a memorable sight.
Stuart Heggie of Flesherton, Ontario captured this image of a strong lunar halo on the night of March 4. Although the night was mainly clear, a thin band of clouds blew through which created the splendid scene.
Adding to the effect was the fortuitous chance of the Moon being between the constellations Gemini and Taurus — thus allowing the halo to be high in the sky. The constellation Orion can also easily be seen.
Stuart took a 30-second exposure using a Nikon D300 with a 12-24mm lens used at the 12mm setting and at f/4.
# 382 | Venus
Venus has been a beacon in the western twilight sky over the course of the winter months. Those wishing to observe Venus in the evening sky should do so now as very shortly it will be temporarily gone from view as it travels been the Earth and Sun — known as inferior conjunction. Venus will once again become visible to the naked eye in April when it reappears at dawn, low in the eastern sky.
Gary Boyle captured this image of Venus on February 28. Venus appears as a crescent due to the angle we are viewing it as it travels between the Sun and the Earth.
Using a ToUcam webcam shooting through a 12-inch Meade SCT at f/10, Gary combined the best 550 images using Registax 4.
# 381 | Comet Lulin
Though Comet Lulin was a naked eye object shortly before February 24 — its date closest to the Earth — it did not retain its brightness in the days after that.
Nonetheless, the comet is still an interesting celestial object and can still be easily found in binoculars as it passes from Leo to Cancer.
On March 6 the comet will be seen near M44, the Beehive Cluster. Binoculars or a telescope will provide stunning views.
Marcus Stevens took this image of Comet Lulin, which also shows the planet Saturn, on February 23 from near London, Ontario. Using a Canon XSi and a 200mm lens operating a f/7.1, he took a 5-minute exposure using ISO 1600.
More photos of Comet Lulin can be found here.
# 380 | The Zodiacal Light
Composed of illuminated dust that stays within the plane of our solar system, the zodiacal light is a phenomenon that can only be seen from a dark observing location and is found in the western sky in the spring and eastern sky in autumn.
Taking advantage of dark skies overlooking Ontario's Georgian Bay, Steve Irvine captured this image of the zodiacal light and the planet Venus on February 13.
Steve used a Canon 50D with a 20mm lens set to f/3.2 and took a 32 second exposure using ISO 1600.
# 379 | Comet Lulin
The last half of February is the best time to view what may be the brightest comet of 2009 – Comet Lulin.
Observers around the world have been reporting that as of February 8 the comet was just visible to the naked eye and had been slightly increasing in brightness each day during that week. But now, with the waning gibbous Moon interfering with observations, tracking the comet’s brightness is difficult.
However, beginning about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning (Feb. 18) from a rural location free of light pollution, the comet should be plainly visible in binoculars in the constellation Virgo using the chart mentioned at the bottom of this note. A small telescope should provide views of its short and stubby tail.
The viewing conditions improve as Lulin moves toward its closest approach to Earth on February 24 when it will be brighter and easier to find in the constellation Leo near the planet Saturn. The viewing time improves as well, moving to 11 p.m. or later during the last week of February. Thus, the best nights to attempt to see Comet Lulin are from February 22 to 28.
With the comet retreating from the Earth and heading to the outer part of our solar system after February 24, observers should see the tail increase in size for the next few days. Due to the size of its orbit, Comet Lulin will not be returning to the inner solar system for more than a thousand years.
Comets look like fuzzy patches in the sky, like an erasure mark on a blackboard. They are notoriously difficult to see from cities or anywhere else with significant sources of light pollution. You will greatly increase your chances of seeing it by seeking out as dark a night sky as possible.
Peter Raine took this image of Comet Lulin on February 2 from near London, Ontario using a TeleVue 60is refractor. Two five-minute exposures at ISO 800 using a Canon DSLR were taken.
# 378 | Arctic Aurora
Though we are slowly coming out of the current solar minimum cycle, for most Canadians observations of the northern lights have been few and far between for the past few years.
Those lucky enough to live at high latitudes can often see auroras — even during solar minimum.
Randy Burns caught this aurora with his Nikon D40 on February 5, 2009 dancing overtop of Doris Mountain at the Hope Bay Project located in northern Nanuvut. Using a 10-20mm lens set to 10mm, he took a 30-second exposure at f/5.6 using ISO 800.
# 377 | Comet Lulin
Comet Lulin has the potential to be seen with the naked eye near the end of February. Currently found between Scorpius and Libra, Comet Lulin is a fine binocular target with estimates in brightness ranging from magnitude 7 to 7.5. .
Peter Raine captured this image of Comet Lulin just before dawn on January 25 from the Fingal Wildlife Management area near London, Ontario.
Using a Canon Rebel XT, nine 5-minute exposures at ISO 800 were taken through a TeleVue 60is and combined afterwards.
More information, including a chart showing where to find Comet Lulin when the comet peaks in brightness later this month, can be found here.
# 376 | M31
M31, the Andromeda galaxy, is a favourite target for backyard astronomers. Under a dark sky, the galaxy is visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch of sky. Binoculars reveal a fairly large and distinctly elongated object. A 6-inch or larger telescope can show dust lanes within the galaxy itself.
Brian McGaffney recently imaged M31 from his observatory near Bancroft, Ontario. Using a William-Optics 132mm apochromatic refractor and an SBIG STL 6303e CCD camera, Brian took exposures of LRGB 30, 30, 30, 20 minutes respectively.
Processing was done with Maxim DL, CCDSharp and Adobe Photoshop CS3.
# 375 | Light Pillars
At first glace it may appear that this image is a photo showcasing the northern lights. This phenomenon however, is man-made.
On nights where there is a high level of moisture, vertical columns of light can often be seen emanating from street lights or other bright fixtures.
Called light pillars, their creation is very similar to that of a Sun dog (see POW 374) — light is being refracted by tiny ice crystals.
Stephane Hamel captured this photo, which also shows Venus at the left, on the night of January 11 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
# 374 | A Morning Sun Dog
Cold winter days combined with thin, high cirrus clouds often create halos around the Sun or Moon. While a halo appears impressive, a Sun dog is a phenomenon that captures the attention of anyone who sees it.
Often seen when the Sun is low in the sky, a Sun dog is created when sunlight is refracted by tiny ice crystals in the clouds. Occasionally an observer will see colour which is caused when the sunlight shines through the ice crystals.
Sahaja Freed of Timmins, Ontario captured this photo on the morning of January 9. Using a Canon Rebel XT digital camera, a 1/2000 exposure was taken using ISO 100 with a 21mm lens set to f/9.
# 373 | A Double Conjunction
Many people likely noticed the pairing of Venus and the Moon on the nights of December 31 and January 1. But how many noticed another conjunction occurring at the same time?
Though it may appear that Venus and the Moon are the only celestial objects in this photo, taken by Steve Irvine in Big Bay, Ontario, those with a keen eye may notice two other objects: Mercury and Jupiter.
The pair could easily be seen if an observer had a viewing location that afforded a view right to the western horizon. Fortunately for Steve, the shore of Lake Huron provided just such a spot for taking his photo.
24mm, f/5.6, ISO 320, 6 seconds, Canon 50D digital camera.
# 372 | Daybreak
This week's Photo of the Week would be familiar to hardcore observers: the last few moments of darkness caught by the camera before dawn breaks through in the eastern sky.
Peter Raine of London Ontario took a quick photo of his mount and telescope shortly before sunrise after a night of observing at the Fingal Wildlife Centre near London, Ontario.
Sharp eyed viewers may note the Sun dog that can be seen in Raine's photo. Often seen when the Sun is low in the sky and on cold days when thin cirrus clouds are present, this phenomenon is created when ice crystals within the clouds refract sunlight.
# 371 | High Above the Clouds
With clouds covering much of Canada this November and December, many are lamenting the fact that they cannot view the night sky.
Rick Stankiewicz's solution? Take advantage of a window seat while on an airplane.
While flying from Winnipeg to Toronto on the evening of December 16, Rick noticed that he had a clear view of both Jupiter and Venus above the western horizon while travelling at 589 mph and at an altitude of 37,690 feet.
Using his Canon 400D digital camera, he took this 1/4 second exposure at ISO 800.
# 370 | The Horsehead Nebula
The Horsehead Nebula is often easily recognized by amateur astronomers. With its appearance resembling a horsehead, the nebula is one of the most popular targets for astrophotographers in the winter. A large telescope and a Hydrogen-Beta filter is needed for visual observations.
Martin Bernier captured this image of the nebula from near St. Liboire, Quebec.
Using a Celestron C9.25 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope operating at f/4, Martin used his SBIG ST2000XM CCD camera to take capture 520 minutes of data.
L=220, Ha=120, RGB=60 minutes each.