AstroT3k

Pink Moon

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0200

The Pink Moon is the traditional name given to April’s full Moon in several North American almanacs. Despite the cheerful nickname, the lunar disc does not turn pink; the label is usually associated with the spring bloom of pink phlox. Under full illumination the lunar surface shows strong albedo contrasts and prominent ray systems (for example around Tycho and Copernicus), while the lack of grazing light greatly reduces shadow relief near the terminator.

As a visual target the full Moon is straightforward and rewarding: it is bright, visible all night, and requires no dark site. Atmospheric turbulence is often the limiting factor, so the best results come when the Moon is high above the horizon. From a Bortle 5 location sky brightness has little impact on lunar imaging compared to deep‑sky work.

For this session on 2026‑04‑01 at 23:00 CEST, a SkyWatcher 150/750P Newtonian on a ZWO AM3N mount and a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera were used together with a SvBony Moon 2" filter. Short exposures and a high frame count were chosen to freeze the seeing; the best 10% of 475 frames were stacked in AutoStakkert!4 and gently sharpened and colour‑balanced in Siril to recover fine detail.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	ZWO AM3N
Camera	ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Filters	SvBony Moon 2"
Exposure	Best 10% of 475 frames (≈48)
Bortle	5
Moon	Full Moon (100.0%) — Pink Moon
Processing	AutoStakkert!4, Siril

IC 434 — Horsehead Nebula

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:00 +0100

IC 434 is a bright curtain of hydrogen‑alpha emission in Orion, ionised mainly by the hot O‑type stars of the Sigma Orionis system. In front of this pinkish glow sits the famous Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33), a compact pillar of dark dust sculpted by stellar winds and intense ultraviolet radiation. The complex lies about 1,350–1,500 light‑years away on the eastern edge of Orion’s Belt, close to the brilliant star Alnitak (Zeta Orionis).

Visually, this area is challenging. The Horsehead itself is notoriously elusive in small telescopes because of its low contrast; under very dark skies and with a narrowband H‑alpha or UHC filter it can sometimes be hinted at in medium apertures. The wider IC 434 glow and the neighbouring Flame Nebula respond well to filters and long‑exposure imaging.

The field is particularly rich in contrasting nebular types. Immediately east of Alnitak lies the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), a bright emission and dark‑lane complex. Just south of the Horsehead is the bluish reflection nebula NGC 2023, while faint filaments of IC 434 extend across much of the frame. Bright field stars form striking halos and diffraction around the belt region, adding to the scene.

What else is in this image?

In the image you can also see IC 434 as the background emission sheet, the Horsehead (B33) as a small, notched silhouette, NGC 2023 as a reflection patch below, and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) near Alnitak at the left edge. Several catalogued dark lanes thread the field along the Orion B molecular cloud.

View this image on AstroBin: https://app.astrobin.com/u/grodzik?i=iznra1#gallery


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	ZWO AM3N
Camera	ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	94 × 120s (3h 8min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing crescent (3.1%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, Axiom2, CosmicClarity

Orion — Wide‑field of the Belt and Sword

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:00 +0100

The constellation of Orion offers one of the richest wide‑field scenes in the winter sky. This image frames both the Belt (the bright asterism of Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka) and the Sword hanging below, with glowing hydrogen clouds and bluish reflection nebulae woven throughout the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. Amid the Sword sits the famous Orion Nebula (M42), while to the east of the Belt star Alnitak stretches the red emission strip IC 434 with the dark Horsehead silhouette in front of it, and the compact reflection patch IC 435 nearby. The field is permeated by faint dust and H II regions sculpted by massive, young stars.

At the heart of the Sword, the Orion Nebula (M42) is a massive star‑forming region roughly 1,350 light‑years away, where the Trapezium cluster carves a bright cavity in the surrounding gas. North of M42 lies NGC 1977 (the “Running Man” reflection nebula), while much farther north‑east of the frame the giant Barnard’s Loop traces a faint arc of ionised hydrogen encircling Orion. The Belt itself is dominated by hot O‑ and B‑type stars; at its eastern end, Alnitak illuminates the dusty IC 434 Horsehead region together with the bright Flame Nebula (NGC 2024). IC 435, a small reflection nebula adjacent to Sigma Orionis, adds a cool, bluish contrast to the red glow of hydrogen.

The three Belt stars themselves are a study in extremes. Alnitak (ζ Ori) is a hot O‑type supergiant in a multiple system whose fierce ultraviolet radiation excites the Flame Nebula and the IC 434 emission layer; Alnilam (ε Ori) is a luminous blue supergiant whose powerful wind drapes nearby dust with a cool sheen; Mintaka (δ Ori) is a compact multiple of O‑ and B‑type components anchoring the Belt’s western end. Together they ionise and illuminate the intricate mixture of emission, reflection and dark nebulae that thread this field.

From mid‑northern latitudes Orion culminates high in the south between December and February, offering dark‑sky opportunities when weather allows. In binoculars the Belt and Sword are easily recognised, with M42 already distinct as a fuzzy core; small telescopes begin to resolve the Trapezium. Wide‑angle lenses and short telephotos (70–135 mm) excel at capturing the Belt‑and‑Sword composition, revealing the interplay between emission glow and reflection dust. Longer integrations under Bortle 5 skies help bring out the dimmer filaments and dark lanes that stitch the scene together.


Telescope	Canon 70–300 mm lens
Mount	Motorised EQ3‑2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro‑mod)
Exposure	81 × 61s (1h 22min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing crescent (3.1%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, Axiom v2

NGC 2237 — Rosette Nebula

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:00:00 +0100

The Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237–2246) is a vast H II emission complex in Monoceros, roughly 5,200 light‑years away. Spanning about 1.3° on the sky—over two full Moons—its cavity and ring‑like envelope outline a star‑forming shell some 130 light‑years across, laced with dark dust lanes and bright hydrogen filaments.

At the heart of the nebula lies the young open cluster NGC 2244. Its hot O‑ and B‑type stars carve the central cavity with powerful stellar winds and intense ultraviolet radiation, sculpting pillars, globules and rippled fronts where new stars continue to form. The rosette‑shaped appearance emerges where the ionised gas meets surrounding molecular clouds.

Observationally, the Rosette is a classic wide‑field winter target for northern latitudes. It is best framed with short‑to‑medium focal lengths and benefits greatly from nebular filters. Visually, under Bortle 5 skies it is subtle, but imaging readily reveals the rich H‑alpha structure—especially with a mild‑band filter that boosts contrast even when some moonlight is present.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	ZWO AM3N
Camera	ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	172 × 60s (2h 52min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing crescent (0.5%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, Veralux, CosmicClarity, Darktable

NGC6888 — Crescent Nebula

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:00:00 +0100

NGC 6888, known as the Crescent Nebula, is a wind‑blown bubble in the constellation Cygnus. It forms where the fast, energetic outflow from the Wolf–Rayet star WR 136 rams into slower material ejected earlier in the star’s life, piling up gas into shock fronts and glowing filaments. It lies about 4.7–5 thousand light‑years away and spans roughly 20 × 10 arcminutes (about 25 light‑years across), with bright oxygen‑rich rims and a fainter hydrogen shell.

Discovered by William Herschel in 1792, the nebula sits in the rich Milky Way starfields of the Northern summer sky. For visual observers it is a demanding target that benefits greatly from O III or UHC filters; small telescopes under dark skies can reveal the brightest arc as a delicate crescent.

For imaging, broadband cameras respond well with a UHC filter that suppresses light pollution and enhances emission lines. Longer integrations uncover the subtle web of filaments and the contrasting colours: teal O III arcs wrapping around reddish H‑alpha structures sculpted by intense stellar winds.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	38 × 120 s + 78 × 120 s = 13,920 s (3 h 52 min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waning gibbous (94.8%)
Processing	Siril, GraXpert, CosmicClarity, Gimp

M42 — Orion Nebula

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:00:00 +0100

M42, the Orion Nebula, is one of the sky’s brightest and most photographed star‑forming regions. Located in the Sword of Orion about 1,350 light‑years away, it is a vast H II region where newborn, massive stars sculpt the surrounding gas and dust. In long exposures the nebula spans well over half a degree, with a luminous core fading into soft, wing‑like outer clouds.

At its heart lies the Trapezium, a compact group of hot O‑ and B‑type stars whose intense ultraviolet radiation ionises the nebula and makes it glow. Turbulent flows, shock fronts and dark lanes thread the scene; subtle colour differences trace different physical conditions — from pinkish hydrogen emission to bluish reflection from fine dust.

Visually, M42 is a rewarding target even from suburban skies. To the unaided eye under darker conditions it appears as a faint patch around the middle star of Orion’s Sword; standard binoculars already show a fan‑shaped glow. Small telescopes reveal the four main Trapezium stars and hints of texture; with increasing aperture and steady air the nebula’s curving wings and internal filaments become increasingly detailed. The best season to observe is the northern winter, when Orion rides high in the evening sky.

The Orion Nebula is embedded in a much larger complex — the Orion Molecular Cloud. Just north lies M43, separated from M42 by a dark dust lane, and above that the reflection nebula NGC 1977 (the “Running Man”). On a grander scale, the luminous arcs of Barnard’s Loop sweep around the region, testifying to past episodes of massive star formation and feedback.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	91 × 45s (1h 8min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing gibbous (59.3%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, CosmicClarity, Gimp

M45 — Pleiades

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:00:00 +0100

The Pleiades (M45, Melotte 22) is one of the nearest and most recognisable open clusters in the sky, set in the constellation Taurus. It lies about 440 light‑years from Earth and is around 100 million years old. The cluster spans roughly two degrees on the sky — four times the apparent diameter of the Moon — and is dominated by hot, blue B‑type stars. Long exposures reveal extensive blue reflection nebulosity: interstellar dust grains scattering starlight. This dust is thought to be unrelated to the cluster’s birth cloud; instead, the Pleiades are currently passing through a filament of the Taurus molecular complex.

Visible to the naked eye even from suburban locations, the Pleiades are a rewarding target for binoculars and short‑focal‑length telescopes. Dozens of members are resolved in 10×50 binoculars, while wide‑field imaging captures the tangle of faint dust around the brightest stars. The best season in the northern hemisphere runs from late autumn through winter, when Taurus climbs high in the evening sky.

In deep images two named reflection nebulae stand out: NGC 1435 (the Merope Nebula) with its tapered “fan” of dust, and NGC 1432 around Maia. The cluster’s brightest star, Alcyone, anchors the central asterism commonly nicknamed the “Seven Sisters”, a motif present in many cultures since antiquity.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Exposure	145 × 173s (6h 58min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing gibbous (58.0%)
Processing	Siril, GraXpert, CosmicClarity, Gimp

IC 1848 — Soul Nebula

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 21:00:00 +0200

IC 1848, better known as the Soul Nebula, is a vast H II star‑forming complex in Cassiopeia and the eastern half of the famous Heart and Soul pair. It glows strongly in hydrogen‑alpha, threaded with dark dust lanes and sculpted pillars shaped by the radiation and winds of massive young stars. Embedded open clusters light up the nebulosity; the Index Catalogue designation IC 1848 historically refers to the stellar association within this region.

From mid‑northern latitudes the Soul rises high in the autumn and winter sky, making October evenings a convenient time to image it. Visually it is a challenging, low‑contrast target requiring dark skies; narrowband or broadband UHC filters help bring out the emission. The field here fits well within an APS‑C sensor at 750 mm focal length, framing the brighter central structures along with surrounding filaments.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro‑mod)
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	59 × 120s (1h 58min)
Bortle	5
Moon	Waxing gibbous (84.4%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, CosmicClarity, Gimp

NGC7380 — Wizard Nebula

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0100

NGC 7380 is a young open star cluster in the constellation Cepheus, embedded in the large emission nebula catalogued as Sh2‑142. In images they appear together as the Wizard Nebula. It lies roughly 7–8 thousand light‑years away and spans nearly 100 light‑years. The cluster was discovered in 1787 by William Herschel.

The nebula’s colours come from glowing ionised gases: red is mainly hydrogen (H‑alpha), while greens and blues trace oxygen (O III) and sulphur (S II), often combined in the so‑called Hubble palette. The wizard‑like outline is not a solid object; it is sculpted by intense radiation and stellar winds from young, massive stars, shaping clumps of gas and dust where new suns can still form.

For visual observers the target is fairly challenging; it reveals itself best in long exposures and narrowband imaging, which isolates the light of specific elements from the background. Northern‑hemisphere autumn nights favour the hunt for the Wizard, making it a rewarding, detail‑rich subject for practising data processing and colour mapping.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Filters	Astronomik UHC 2"
Exposure	27 × 120s (54")
Bortle	5
Moon	Waning Crescent (19.31%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, CosmicClarity, Gimp

M81 - Bode's Galaxy

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:00:00 +0100

M81, known as Bode’s Galaxy, is a bright spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major, about 12 million light-years away. In small telescopes it appears as a delicate haze with a star-like core, while in long exposures it reveals elegant, symmetrical spiral arms and an extended halo of stars.

M81 interacts gravitationally with its neighbour, M82 (the so-called Cigar Galaxy). Their mutual pull distorts the outer parts of M81 and fuels vigorous star formation in M82. In deep images you can spot subtle dust lanes and faint streams of material left by past close encounters; dark dust veins wrap around M81’s bright central bulge.

The object was noted by Johann Elert Bode in 1774. Despite its relatively modest cosmic distance, M81 is impressive in scale — roughly comparable to the Milky Way (about 90 thousand light-years). In colour photographs the yellowish centre betrays an older stellar population, while bluish knots in the arms mark young clusters and H II regions.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Exposure	92 × 180s (4h 43")
Bortle	5
Moon	Waning gibbous (79.31%)
Processing	Siril, Prism Deep, CosmicClarity, Gimp

M13 — Hercules Cluster

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:00:00 +0100

The Hercules Cluster (M13, NGC 6205) is one of the most famous globular clusters in the northern sky, located in the constellation Hercules. It lies about 22,000 light‑years from Earth and contains several hundred thousand very old stars, around 11–12 billion years in age. Under a dark sky it can be glimpsed with the naked eye as a faint, misty patch; binoculars reveal a grainy texture, and a small telescope resolves it into hundreds of tiny points. The cluster spans roughly 145 light‑years, with a dense, spherical core and increasingly diffuse outer regions where the stars are tightly bound by their shared gravity.

The Hercules Cluster also has a rich history of observation. It was noted by Edmond Halley in 1714, and Charles Messier added it to his catalogue in 1764. In 1974, the famous Arecibo message was beamed in its direction as a scientific experiment. The best time to observe it is in late spring and summer, when Hercules climbs high above the horizon. Even simple binoculars provide a satisfying view, while larger telescopes reveal subtle central structures sometimes described as dark “petals”.

Besides M13, the image also shows two background galaxies. NGC 6207 is a relatively bright, small spiral galaxy near the cluster, tens of millions of light‑years away; in amateur telescopes it appears as a small, elongated smudge. IC 4617 is much fainter (around mag 15) and far more distant — a tiny, needle‑like galaxy mostly visible in longer exposures and larger instruments.


Telescope	SkyWatcher 150/750P
Mount	motorised EQ3-2
Camera	Canon 600D (astro-mod)
Exposure	56 × 180s (2h 48")
Bortle	5
Moon	Waning gibbous (88.06%)

The Beginning

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:00:00 +0100

About my first astrophotograph

For my first post I decided to tell the story of my first astrophotograph. It all began a long time ago — at the turn of March and April 1997.

As a child, I went out with our dog for an evening walk. It was dark, the sky was cloudless. At one point I looked up and saw a strange object. I quickly realised it was a comet. As soon as I got back home, I grabbed my small pair of binoculars and ran back out to observe the phenomenon. A few days later I learned from the news that it was Comet Hale–Bopp, hailed as the Great Comet of 1997.

It was discovered on 23 July 1995, and in March 1997 it passed perihelion — the point of its orbit closest to the Sun. It was visible to the naked eye. It made a huge impression on me, but it still didn’t make me take up astronomy back then. I knew the basics — I could find Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, and the North Star — and I would sometimes try to catch the Perseids meteor shower.

Only in 2024, during the passage of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), towards the end of its good visibility, did I decide to show it to my children — such an event doesn’t happen often. The childhood memory of Hale–Bopp came back, and that’s when I decided to buy a telescope to observe more of the cosmos around us. I did so on 17 October 2024. I chose a Sky‑Watcher Newtonian with a 150 mm aperture and a 750 mm focal length, one of the recommended beginner setups, on an EQ3‑2 equatorial mount. At first I managed to make several observations of the comet. November and December are a difficult time for astronomy in Poland — in 2025, throughout November and until mid‑December there were no clear nights.

The first deep‑sky photo came on 4 April 2025, after 21:00 — if I remember correctly. After a few visual observing sessions in January and February, I wanted to see whether, with the gear I had, I could take any sort of astrophoto. At that time of year the Orion Nebula (M42) sits fairly low, but it’s an easy target to locate, even with ordinary binoculars.

I used my old Canon 1000D DSLR. The mount wasn’t suited to astrophotography — for longer exposures you need a tracking drive to follow the apparent motion of the stars. Aware of the gear’s limitations, I recorded 60 frames at 1 s each so the stars wouldn’t trail. I processed them in the free programme Siril. The result? Perhaps not the best, but it’s a very important photo to me.