New Image: IC443 in Gemini

I am really falling in love with the 2.3 micron pixels of the 294MM Pro and this field of view. I do have some OIII data, but I am struggling with reflections on the two brightest stars in the field, Propus and Tejat Posterior. But I LOVE the starless capabilities with the 294MM pro at the 2.3 micron pixel configuration. The nebulosity just jumps and the jellyfish IC443 looks spectacular. Hope you enjoy the image. I am going to add it to the Fine Art Print collection right now.

July New Moon from Experience Learning Center on Spruce Knob

I am a little late in posting to my website from July New Moon. Please follow my YouTube channel for the latest videos. Here are the results from the July New Moon from the Experience Learning Center on Spruce Knob. As you may know if you watch my channel, Spruce Knob and the Monongahela National Forest hold a very special place in my heart. Please check out the video dedicated to this location and the photos that were captured during this long weekend. As always, thanks for stopping by and clear skies.

For those who want the technical data on the images, please see and subscribe to my Astrobin page here.

Jeff’s Astrobin Page

Lochness Monster (LDN772) Dark Nebula.  Part of my pursuit of imaging dark nebula for the Astronomical League.

Lochness Monster (LDN772) Dark Nebula. Part of my pursuit of imaging dark nebula for the Astronomical League.

Snake Dark Nebula (B72)

Snake Dark Nebula (B72)

Calligraphy dark nebula (LDN 673)

Calligraphy dark nebula (LDN 673)

Northern Coal Sack region between Cygnus and Cepheus

Northern Coal Sack region between Cygnus and Cepheus

The Great Andromeda Galaxy.

The Great Andromeda Galaxy.

Summer Milky Way Glory: Astrophotography from Bortle 2/3 Skies in Watoga State Park and MNF

The energy in astronomy at the present time is amazing. I know of two locations pursuing International Dark Sky Association recognition as Dark Sky Parks. I have recently visited both and feature some work from Watoga State Park in this video. Join me in supporting these organizations with your visits, monies, and photography. The night sky is a treasure to hold onto.

Links to resources and Watoga are below. In this video I explore the core of the Milky Way with a brand new lens. And it does not disappoint. IMHO, there are amazing astroscapes to be captured with a simple camera/lens/startracker. I encourage you to explore these compositions if you haven't. I love viewing these areas with binoculars while I am shooting. It's amazing what the eye can see when it knows what to look for. Also, this video includes my best drone work yet with the Mavic AIR 2. And I get creative with the Insta360 camera and editing. I believe my video work is advancing with this production. My goal...less of me and more of creation! Please enjoy the video and I wish you all of the best. Clear skies until next time.

https://www.watogafoundation.org/watoga-dark-sky-project/

https://www.darksky.org/

https://www.facebook.com/WatogaDarkSky/

Head of Scorpius. First light with Sigma 85mm f1.2 Art lens on the Canon Ra. Watoga State Park

Main Street Milky Way. The core of the Milky Way with the same gear from dark skies of Watoga State Park.

The Milky Way rising over Watoga Lake. Canon RP with Rokinon 14mm f2.8 lens.

Glorious Comet 2020/F3 Neowise

What a spectacular week to be in astronomy! I spent 5 straight mornings with Comet Neowise this week and it has been a blast. Hoping the comet continues to put on a show in the evening over the next week or two.

Comet Neowise on July 8 from Ritter Park in Huntington, WV at the Memorial Arch. 85mm Sigma f1.4 Art lens on the Canon Ra.

Comet Neowise on July 9, 2020 from Greasy Ridge, OH. Sigma 85mm f1.4 on Canon Ra.

Comet Neowise over Gallia County farm. 85mm f1.4 Sigma Art on Canon Ra. July 10, 2020.

Comet Neowise with Canon Ra and Redcat 51 (250mm f 5.6) on July 11 in Nautical twilight.

Comet Neowise on July 12 with Celestron RASA 8” (400mm f2) and the ZWO ASI 294MC Pro camera.

Comet Neowise in color from July 12, 2020. Celestron RASA 8 f2 and ZWO ASI 294MC Pro

First light with the Rokinon 135 f2. The lens did not disappoint. I had high standards after the 85mm f1.4 Sigma Art was so impressive. This lens looks fantastic as others have demonstrated. What a fantastic comet. I have one more image to process. It will be bittersweet to complete processing on Comet Neowise. A complete blast.

The views of the comet from Spruce Knob were simply some of the finest astronomical views I have ever had. The ion tail seemed to stretch unending into the atmosphere. What a joy to view.

30 images of 60 seconds were stacked in Pixinsight on Comet and Stars. All images at f2 ISO 1250

One final image of the glorious Comet Neowise. This image was captured on July 25, 2020 from Calhoun County Park in WV. The goal was to capture detail in the ion tail. The waves are the result of the comet nucleus and associated gas jets, rotating. The waves result from this rotation of the gas jets spewing out comet material. I hoe you have a chance to view this glorious comet.

Image acquired with 20 individual frames of 30 seconds stacked to maximize the signal to noise and freeze the detail in the ion tail. Celestron RASA and ZWO ASI294MC Pro.