NJAA Astro Photography: Max Pike Has Been Very Busy Lately

Monday, October 31, 2022

Max Pike Has Been Very Busy Lately

I must have caught Max off-guard at the observatory the other day as he promised to send me some of his latest deep sky images... He did good with me and here they are for everyone to appreciate:

The Packman Nebula (NGC 7293) in Ha and Oiii light; 5 minute exposures totaling 12 hours Imaged in October 2022

Located in the constellation Aquarius, this object is one of the closest to Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae... approximately 655 ly from Earth and is about 2.5 ly across. (That's roughly half the distance from Earth to out nearest star, Proxima Centauri - Keith)

NGC 7000 North America & Pelican Nebulas, in a 2 panel mosaic, shot in Ha, Sii and Oiii light, using 5 minute exposures totaling 12 hours per panel... 24 hours total. This is between 1500 to 3000 ly from Earth in the constellation Cygnus and is about 140 ly across. Imaged in August & September 2022

Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) in Ha, Sii and Oiii light with 5 minute exposures, totaling 24 hours. This image was taken in October 2022. This nebula is located in the constellation Cassiopeia.

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) was imaged using Ha, Sii and Oiii light with 5 minute exposures and 18+ hours of R G B 2 minute exposures of 1.5 hours. Located in Cepheus, it is about 8500 ly from Earth and about 20 ly long. Imaging was done in August, September & October 2022

All of Max's images are photographed from Far Hills, New Jersey at Bortle 6 ~ using an Explore Scientific 102mm ED refractor with 714mm Focal Length, reduced to 586mm. His Camera was a ZWO ASI 2600 Mono with Baader Filters.

This is really amazing work Max. Thank you for sharing... All of you local viewers can go to the NJAA Observatory to see some of this work on display in exhibit-quality prints,
Keith

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Luna 1 & Luna 2 Current Status

Luna 1 & Luna 2 are operational at this time.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has hurt many people, including astronomers. However, the one thing amateur astronomers are very good at, is being outside ~ alone, in the dark. Then later, often working many hours inside (again, often in the dark) during post processing of any images he takes. With the weather now getting warmer, it is always an ideal time for learning to use a new scope, mount, camera or just looking up for Milky Way objects that you may have not seen in a while. This is the time to explore within our galaxy! There is always so much to see, so still dress warm until the temperature gets high enough for comfort ~ the summer will get here soon and being outside in the fresh cool air can be exhilarating. Then if you haven't already, try taking some pictures of what you see or just look for that new sight that you may not have seen before. For instance, closer to home, conjunctions or the nearness of planets and the Moon to each other as we see them is one of the rarer events that occurs only once in a while and sometimes it will only be witnessed once in a person's lifetime. This is the "Milky Way Season".... enjoy it!!!

Also Luna 1 and Luna 2 are calling for you!

Now that our park has reopened, although slowly to the public, members can always use the on site observatories. Please remember to keep personal distancing a priority and wear a mask unless otherwise specified.

As a strange by-product, the sky seems cleaner and clearer as the volume of New Jersey highways still are experiencing less vehicles than before the pandemic. Even though the bazillion forest fires in California and around the world have definitely added to the high altitude haze. Still, cool, clear nights mean great observing and are more inviting for our member astro-imagers. Especially for those of us that use narrow band filters to cut through any remaining ambient light pollution. As temperatures rise the various air temperature cells between you and the objects in space will seem to be a little less-steady... stars still twinkle ~ an indicator that the sky is unsteady. New Jersey is not known for it's great seeing, but video cameras will help get the best planetary pictures possible after stacking from thousands of short exposure images. Also, try something new like imaging just before dark ~ the reduced contrast makes some interesting planetary pictures. Venus' crescent shapes often stand out better in the low contrast sky.

As the weather gets warmer, be sure to drink a lot of water ~ and of course still wear layers to be comfortable.

The 5" Tak telescope in Luna 1 is now totally automated, with the roll-off roof now motorized. Special training for our members is ongoing and producing great results.

The Celestron Edge 14" telescope in Luna 2 is working well and is a pleasure to use. If you aren't trained for it yet just ask. We'll be happy to teach you.

The Celestron 11" telescope in the Schirra Observatory may be getting a new purpose ~ time will tell.

We want all members to be able to use our other available equipment too, including the roll-out Celestron 8" Edge and C9.25" scopes in back ~ which are also great for imaging planets and the moon as well as the various types of things within the galaxy.. The novice as well as experienced amateur's can use the numerous Dobsonians (up to 12") and are handy for quick observing.

Also, this is excellent time to use the Solar Ha scopes during the day. The surface sunspots seem to to increasing considerably as the sun is now heading toward the cycle's maximum. Occasional larges sunspots and prominences prominences are very impressive in this wavelength. We now have three great Ha specific scopes as well as various white-light filtered scopes.

Finally, remember that the club has a number of excellent loaner scopes (including a go-to) that you can take home for a period of time to learn and practice on.

Take pictures and share your images with the NJAA Astro-Photography blog. Contact Keith at KRMarley_1999@yahoo.com

Also, the large NJAA Library has a number of excellent astro-imaging books for loan, free to members in good standing (a cc will now be required to take a book home).

A link will soon be on the NJAA website home page or ask a QO on duty for help (check the website calendar for public/duty days www.njaa.org) or contact Keith at KRMarley_1999@yahoo.com for library questions.

NJAA Astro Photography Group Mission

The "Astro-Photography” committee has merged with the Research Group, forming one Research & Photography Committee. It shall also be responsible for the administration and coordination of the Astro-Photography program at NJAA.

Through educational events, public outreach and publication, the committee will continue to serve as a technical resource for emerging and advanced Astro-Photographers.

The Astro-photography/Research meetings (currently and until further notice, all member meetings will be conducted on ZOOM. Member requests to be included ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PAGE ON THE NJAA WEBSITE) are held at the observatory on the first Friday of the month at 8:00pm. All members are welcome to attend. Confirm the dates on the club's website calendar (www.njaa.org).

"You can observe a lot just by watching..." Yogi Berra