Latest Images
The Orion Nebula (1/09) is the brightest star forming emission nebula in the sky.
The Rosette Nebula (1/09) is located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the constellation
Monoceros.
M33 galaxy (1/09) is over 50,000 light-years in diameter and is the third largest in the Local Group
of galaxies.
M1, the Crab Nebula (2/09).... The remnant of a supernova that occured almost 2000 years ago.
The Markarian Chain (3/09) of galaxies is part of the Virgo Cluster, a group of galaxies about 60
million light years away.
Saturn (5/09).... As seen from Earth, the rings of Saturn change orientation with a period of 29.5
years after being twice edge on. The intervals between edge-on orientations are 15.75 and 13.75
years alternatively. The rings were edge-on in 1980, 1995, 2009, 2024, etc., and at maximum
opening angle in 1987, 2002, 2016, 2031, etc. This image was taken with a DMK video monochrome
camera.
Solar images (5/09).... The sun is so bright that special filters must be used to image solar flares,
sun spots and prominences. The filters used for this image narrow the light reaching the camera or
eyepiece to a single wavelength (656.28 nm), that of hydrogen-alpha. Since the sun is primarily
made up of hydrogen, this very narrow band of light is still quite bright. This image shows a solar
prominence extending upward from the surface of the Sun. These are eruptions from the Sun’s
surface which form over about a day, but some may be visible for several months. The white circle in
the corner of the image represents the size of the earth relative to the prominence.
M13 globular cluster (5/09) ... Globular clusters of stars are thought to be some of the oldest
structures in our galaxy and may have formed soon after the big bang.
M64, the Blackeye Galaxy (5/09).... M64 has a band of absorbing dust in front of the galaxy's
bright nucleus, giving rise to its nicknames of the "Black Eye." The galaxy is about 24 million light
years from Earth.
M104, the Sombrero Galaxy (5/09).... The dark dust lane and the bulge give this galaxy the
appearance of a sombrero. It is about 29 million years away.
Eagle Nebula (6/09).... This nebula near the center of the Milky Way was the subject of the now
famous Hubble image, "The pillars of creation."
Wide field image of the area near the star Anatares (6/09).... This image covers over 6 degrees
of sky near the star Antares. Emission, reflection and dark nebula can be seen in this area.
The Andromeda Galaxy, M31 (10/09)... This is an image of our neighboring spiral galaxy. This
color image was taken with a modified Canon XSi.
M8 (Lagoon Nebula), M20 (Trifid Nebula) and M21 (open star cluster) (10/09).... This is an
image of three Messier objects in the constellation, Sagittarius.
The Running Man Nebula (01/10)....This colorful nebula is located near M42, the great Orion
Nebula.
IC342 (01/10)... This large galaxy is difficult to see due to the fact that it's line of sight lies near the
plane of the Milky Way.
NGC2403 (1/10)... Interesting spiral galaxy with a lot of star forming areas (pink/red) about 11 million
light years away.
