Got today’s Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) with a very deep image of the M42 region.  Added narrowband H-alpha and wideband near infrared add a lot to the data in this image.  In particular the infrared data brings out many stars that are not so visible in standard RGB images.

Many thanks to Jim at EPOD who continues to publish my work.

Even with a blazing Moon, clouds, and everything wanting to go wrong – I managed to get enough data last night for the Caph right hand frame.  So the central star here is Caph in Cassiopeia, a 2-framer using the 200mm lenses and M26C OSC CCDs (this is equivalent to taking an 8-framer with the Sky 90s).  Left hand frame 12 x 10-minute subs, right hand frame 13 x 10-minute subs.  Job done 🙂

Clear last night 19/01/2016 but with a blazing Moon, so this didn’t turn out too badly considering.

A 2-frame mosaic using the Canon 200mm lenses and M26C OSC CCDs.  Around 130-minutes of 10-minute subs per frame.

Lots of open clusters, dark lanes, and some nebulosity to be found in this one.

Due to a series of mishaps I only managed to get 15 x 20-minute subs on this one last night using the Sky 90s (should  have got 27 x 20-mins).  This is the IC2087 region in Taurus – and is the biggest region of dark nebulosity I have ever imaged.  Hopefully I can get some more data on this region shortly.

A couple of clear  hours after a day of rain allowed me to grab a quick 2-framer of the Aldebaran & Hyades region with the 200mm lens.  5-minute subs and an hour on each frame.  Pleased just to be able to get out for a change – huge bonus – no Moon.  After having packed up I stood looking up at the stars for around 20-minutes and saw 2 nice meteors – so all in all a great night for astronomy 🙂