Neighborhood

Astro Explorer

M42 M43 M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 4 subjects 4 results Open region

Subject

Birds of a Feather Wide Field Sagittarius Arm

1 result

Astro Explorer / Astro Explorer

Birds of a Feather Wide Field Sagittarius Arm

Date 2026-06-20Emission Nebula / Asterism / Open Cluster / Dark NebulaConstellation Serpens / Serpens Cauda / Sagittarius2168 frames18.1h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b31020833 x 4317

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21 M24 M16 M17 NGC6604

Catalog distance: 1.696 kpc / 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc / 3.066 kpc / 1.303 kpc / 1.594 kpc 9.6' / 7' / 11' / 90' / 13' / 28' / 90' x 40' apparent

FITS object: IC 1284

Calendar date: 2026-06-20 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-19T07:24:50.197327 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

This sweeping mosaic follows one of the richest stretches of the summer Milky Way, beginning with the Nest, NGC 6604, and continuing past the Eagle Nebula, M16, NGC 6605, IC 4701, and the Swan Nebula, M17. From there, the view descends through the dense star fields of M24, the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud, to the open cluster M21, the Trifid Nebula, M20, and finally the vast Lagoon Nebula, M8.

The Eagle is home to the iconic Pillars of Creation, while the Swan’s bright arcs trace an immense region of active star formation. M24 is not a single cluster, but a window through foreground dust that reveals a remarkably dense field of Milky Way stars. Farther south, the Trifid combines emission, reflection, and dark nebulosity, while the Lagoon anchors the panorama with its broad clouds of glowing hydrogen and newly formed stars.

This image was captured with Seestar S30 Pro and S50, using a combination of the ZWO built-in LP filter and Otolong L-eXtreme dual-narrowband filters.

I am in the process of collecting SII data using SVBONY SV220 in order to complete a SHO palette rendering.

processing notes:

All images captured with Seestar S30 pro and S50, over a period of a few weeks. HA data was captured using L-eXtreme, L-Quad, or internal LP filters.
This is about 25 seperate panels, all individually stacked in Siril (Naztronomy script, 1.4x drizzle, sigma rejection, noise rating) and cleaned (cropped, BG extraction, SPCC, aberation removal), then those panels were stacked with light feathering and star weighting, then post proccessed.
processing this image in siril absolutely murders my machine (m2 macbook air, 16GB ram) star removal takes about 30 mins. Scunet took about an hour.
I only did relatively light post work with this, because i wasn’t really intending on sharing, and there’s more data that i plan on collecting.
post processing was: scunet denoising, statistical stretch, color grading. this was too much data for veralux to handle, so I brought it into pixelmator.
cropped pixel dimensions are 20833x4317, about 90 megapixels.
uncropped image is about 3GB, cropped is about 2GB.

6 indexed source files / 2.4 GB

JPG / 2.5 MBMD / 2.1 KBFIT / 514.6 MBPNG / 444.3 MBFIT / 1.0 GBPNG / 442.2 MB

Subject

Cygnus wide field

1 result

Astro Explorer / Astro Explorer

Cygnus wide field

Date 2026-04-30Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 7.72h1002 frames5.6h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3109134 x 2170

463m

Progression: 2 of 2 SH2-101 NGC6888 IC1318 Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region SH2-101 NGC6888 IC 1318

Catalog distance: 5,500 ly 20' / 20' x 10' / 45' x 20' apparent

FITS object: NGC 6888

Calendar date: 2026-04-30 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-29T04:23:24.667277 DATE-OBS

3 indexed source files / 319.0 MB

FIT / 226.8 MBMD / 750 BPNG / 92.1 MB

Subject

IC434 M42 M43 Horsehead Nebula Orion Nebula 20 hours

M42 M43 1 result

Astro Explorer / Astro Explorer

IC434 M42 M43 Horsehead Nebula Orion Nebula 20 hours

Date 2026-05-23Dark Nebula / Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 20h6588 x 1517

20h

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43 IC434

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 90' x 30' / 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-23T02:31:49.960Z file date

1 indexed source file / 48.8 MB

PNG / 48.8 MB

Subject

M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 Markarians Chain 8 hours

M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 1 result

Astro Explorer / Astro Explorer

M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 Markarians Chain 8 hours

Date 2026-06-25GalaxyConstellation Virgo / Coma BerenicesParsed 8h957 frames8.0h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b31012405 x 4240

8h

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M98 M99 M100 M84 M86 M87 M88 M91 M89 M90 M58 M59 M60

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 5.5' x 4.5' / 5' x 3.5' / 7' x 6' / 5' / 7.5' x 5.5' / 7' / 7' x 4' / 4' / 9.5' x 4.5' / 5.4' x 4.4' / 9.5' x 3.2' / 5.4' x 4.8' apparent

FITS object: M 58

Calendar date: 2026-06-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-17T01:57:25.338123 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

Markarian’s Chain is the long, bright galaxy arc running through the heart of the Virgo Cluster, with this panorama stretching across the Virgo and Coma Berenices borderlands. The field links several major Messier galaxies, including M84, M86, M87, M88, M89, M90, M98, M99, and M100, making it a wide-field look at one of the densest nearby galaxy environments.

Technical notes

Full stitched panorama: 12,405 x 4,240 pixels.
Sky coverage: about 8.45 x 2.89 deg at roughly 2.45 arcsec/pixel.
Source working files: about 602 MB for the full FIT and 261 MB for the standard PNG export.
Web presentation: deep-zoom tiled standard layer, plus hero, overlay, and table variants.
Capture construction: built from about 25 panels captured with Seestar S30 Pro and S50 systems.
Filter and processing: L-Pro filter data, assembled and processed in Siril.

14 indexed source files / 1.1 GB + 3.2 MB details

FIT / 601.9 MBFIT / 63.8 MBPNG / 27.2 MBMD / 956 BPNG / 107.4 MBPNG / 261.2 MBPNG / 107.1 MB

Neighborhood

Andromeda Frame

M31 M32 M110 1 subject 3 results Open region

Subject

Andromeda Galaxy

M31 M32 M110 3 results

Duration progression

Andromeda Galaxy

3h to 9h 3 results

Andromeda Frame

Andromeda Galaxy

Date 2026-06-07GalaxyConstellation AndromedaParsed 3h377 frames3.1h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3105198 x 3008

3h

Progression: 1 of 3 M31 M32 M110 Andromeda Galaxy

Neighborhood: Andromeda Frame M110 M32 M31

Catalog distance: 889.144 kpc 178' x 63' / 8' x 6' / 17' x 10' apparent

FITS object: M 31

Calendar date: 2026-06-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-05T07:35:06.344902 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 255.0 MB

FIT / 179.0 MBPNG / 76.0 MB

Andromeda Frame

Andromeda Galaxy

Date 2026-06-11GalaxyConstellation AndromedaParsed 9h approximate377 frames3.1h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103248 x 1885

4h RGB5h HA Approximate total

Progression: 3 of 3 M31 M32 M110 Andromeda Galaxy

Neighborhood: Andromeda Frame M110 M32 M31

Catalog distance: 889.144 kpc 178' x 63' / 8' x 6' / 17' x 10' apparent

FITS object: M 31

Calendar date: 2026-06-11 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-05T07:35:06.344902 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 99.0 MB

FIT / 70.1 MBPNG / 28.9 MB

Andromeda Frame

Andromeda Galaxy

Date 2026-06-10GalaxyConstellation AndromedaParsed 9h approximate2616 frames21.8h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103248 x 1885

4h RGB5h HA Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 3 M31 M32 M110 Andromeda Galaxy

Neighborhood: Andromeda Frame M110 M32 M31

Catalog distance: 889.144 kpc 178' x 63' / 8' x 6' / 17' x 10' apparent

FITS object: M 31

Calendar date: 2026-06-10 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-05T07:35:06.344902 DATE-OBS

8 indexed source files / 100.1 MB + 59.8 MB details

FIT / 70.1 MBPNG / 30.0 MB

Neighborhood

Angelfish Cluster

M71 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Angelfish Cluster

M71 1 result

Angelfish Cluster

Date 2026-07-25Globular ClusterConstellation SagittaParsed 25m50 frames25m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11618 x 1618

25m

Neighborhood: N062 M71

Catalog distance: 3.894 kpc 7.2' apparent

FITS object: M 71

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T07:50:40.053040 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 42.9 MB

FIT / 30.0 MBPNG / 13.0 MB

Neighborhood

Beehive Cluster

M44 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Beehive Cluster

M44 1 result

Beehive Cluster

Date 2026-06-21Open ClusterConstellation CancerParsed 15m32 frames16m integrationFilter IRCUTS30 Pro_82d6b3102006 x 3451

15m

Neighborhood: Beehive Cluster M44

Catalog distance: 0.177 kpc 95' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-06-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-20T01:56:25.042435 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 114.1 MB + 38.7 MB details

FIT / 79.2 MBJPG / 2.4 MBMD / 633 BPNG / 32.5 MB

Neighborhood

Black Eye Galaxy

M64 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Black Eye Galaxy

M64 1 result

Black Eye Galaxy

Date 2026-06-18GalaxyConstellation Coma BerenicesParsed 46m92 frames46m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11567 x 1567

46m

Neighborhood: N046 M64

Catalog distance: 5,825.426 kpc 9.3' x 5.4' apparent

FITS object: M 64

Calendar date: 2026-06-18 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-17T04:00:58.838230 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 40.4 MB + 8.4 MB details

FIT / 28.1 MBPNG / 12.3 MB

Neighborhood

Bode's Region

M81 M82 1 subject 5 results Open region

Subject

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

M81 M82 5 results

Duration progression

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

1.5h to 17.5h 5 results

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Date 2026-05-19GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 17.5h approximate3748 frames62.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b12414 x 1271

10.5h RGB7h HA Approximate total

Progression: 5 of 5 M81 M82 bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Neighborhood: Bode's Region M81 M82

Catalog distance: 3,679.217 kpc 21' x 10' / 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 81

Calendar date: 2026-05-19 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-04T05:08:49.974727 DATE-OBS

7 indexed source files / 49.2 MB + 13.9 MB details

FIT / 35.1 MBMD / 165 BPNG / 14.1 MB

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Date 2026-04-04GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 3.3h371 frames3.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11827 x 1055

198m

Progression: 2 of 5 M81 M82 bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Neighborhood: Bode's Region M81 M82

Catalog distance: 3,679.217 kpc 21' x 10' / 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 81

Calendar date: 2026-04-04 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-02T00:12:50.225960 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 31.8 MB

FIT / 22.1 MBPNG / 9.7 MB

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Date 2026-04-02GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 3.42h666 frames5.5h integrationFilter IRCUT_StarlessS50_85b661b11947 x 1056

205m

Progression: 3 of 5 M81 M82 bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Neighborhood: Bode's Region M81 M82

Catalog distance: 3,679.217 kpc 21' x 10' / 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 81

Calendar date: 2026-04-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-02T00:07:14.381048 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 33.3 MB

FIT / 23.5 MBPNG / 9.8 MB

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Date 2026-04-02GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 1.5h179 frames1.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11864 x 1049

90m

Progression: 1 of 5 M81 M82 bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Neighborhood: Bode's Region M81 M82

Catalog distance: 3,679.217 kpc 21' x 10' / 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 81

Calendar date: 2026-04-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-09T06:30:46.668219 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 32.7 MB

FIT / 22.4 MBPNG / 10.3 MB

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Date 2026-05-15GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 4.23h508 frames42m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11176 x 1942

254m

Progression: 4 of 5 M81 M82 bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Neighborhood: Bode's Region M81 M82

Catalog distance: 3,679.217 kpc 21' x 10' / 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 81

Calendar date: 2026-05-15 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-13T03:18:43.578663 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 37.7 MB

FIT / 26.1 MBPNG / 11.6 MB

Neighborhood

Broader Sadr Region

M29 M39 9 subjects 13 results Open region

Subject

North America Nebula

4 results

Duration progression

North America Nebula

1.7h to 102h 2 results

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula

Date 2026-07-01Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 2h376 framesNikon D53003670 x 2742

2h

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

Calendar date: 2026-07-01 Companion Markdown calendarDate

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-02T05:38:34 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

North America Nebula, captured with traditional astrophotography

This is the North America Nebula, along with the Pelican Nebula. This is far from the most amazing rendition of this subject; actually, this isn’t even my best rendition of this subject. But tonight, it’s the image that I’m most proud of, because it’s the first image that I successfully captured and processed using traditional astrophotography gear instead of “smart telescopes.”

Smart telescopes are absolutely wonderful. I began my astronomical journey through our universe with a Seestar S50 six months ago, and I absolutely adore using it. For the past few months, though, I have been slowly accumulating the pieces needed to accomplish what I’m sharing tonight. I started with a secondhand tripod and equatorial mount, then added my 20-year-old Nikon D5300. I purchased an Askar FMA135 when it was incredibly discounted, and assembled a hodgepodge of connectors and adapters to string it all together, including a 1.25"-2" step-up adapter so that I could use my Optolong L-Quad Enhance filter.

setupMy Seestar S50 and the new FMA135/D5300 rig, framed around the rich Cygnus region of the Milky Way

I spent many late hours in my yard, (re-)learning about polar alignment, manual star alignment, ISO, intervalometers, and manual focusing techniques. Then, once I finally got a few hundred subs, I was introduced to the joys of calibration, stacking, and working with much larger, more detailed data.

All of this has given me an incredible new appreciation for both traditional and smart astrophotography. I am even more blown away by the incredible results that I’ve seen people share from their self-assembled, cooled, auto-guided, filter-wheel mono rigs. The amount of skill, time, and dedication that goes into that is awe-inspiring. I’m also even more appreciative of how much smart telescopes bring to the table. My Seestars combine optics, imaging, focusing, a mount, a dew heater, a filter wheel, and a Wi-Fi-enabled computer, along with good planning software, live stacking, and basic editing, all for a price lower than basically any single component listed above.

timelapseA timelapse of conditions in my backyard during the capture.

I have a lot to do now :) I have a long to-do list of practices to improve my traditional workflow: power and cable management, better understanding balance, dew mitigation, and incorporating my new, secondhand Celestron 5SE. I am also hard at work evolving https://astroguide.space to better handle traditional equipment; and, of course, I’m using it to plan my next month’s worth of captures to take advantage of the amazing capabilities this new gear provides.

8 indexed source files / 3.9 KB + 521.8 MB compares

MD / 3.9 KB

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula

Date 2026-04-19Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 1.7h204 frames1.7h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3101972 x 3094

102m

Progression: 1 of 2 NGC7000 North America Nebula

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

FITS object: NGC 7000

Calendar date: 2026-04-19 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-13T06:05:12.641593 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 97.9 MB

FIT / 69.8 MBPNG / 28.1 MB

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula

Date 2026-06-09Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 102h approximate1140 frames9.5h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103807 x 2034

102h HA Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 2 NGC7000 North America Nebula

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

FITS object: NGC 7000 wide

Calendar date: 2026-06-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-13T06:05:12.641593 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 127.2 MB

FIT / 88.6 MBPNG / 38.5 MB

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula

Date 2026-05-06Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 6.38h approximate2301 frames19.2h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b13418 x 3418

127m SII256m HA Approximate total

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

FITS object: IC 5070

Calendar date: 2026-05-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T09:01:10.256976 DATE-OBS

3 indexed source files / 196.6 MB

FIT / 133.7 MBMD / 639 BPNG / 62.9 MB

Subject

Tulip Nebula

2 results

Duration progression

Tulip Nebula

1.37h 2 results

Broader Sadr Region

Tulip Nebula

Date 2026-04-28Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 1.37h82 frames1.4h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104354 x 2449

82m

Progression: 1 of 2 SH2-101 Tulip Nebula

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region SH2-101

FITS object: SH2-101

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-28T03:31:50.539868 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 178.5 MB

FIT / 122.0 MBPNG / 56.5 MB

Broader Sadr Region

Tulip Nebula

Date 2026-06-07Emission NebulaConstellation Cygnus4581 frames66.8h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3102411 x 1568

Progression: 2 of 2 SH2-101 Tulip Nebula

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region SH2-101

FITS object: 25 Cygni

Calendar date: 2026-06-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-28T03:31:50.539868 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 62.2 MB

FIT / 43.3 MBPNG / 18.9 MB

Subject

Butterfly Nebula Cooling Tower Cluster

M29 1 result

Broader Sadr Region

Butterfly Nebula Cooling Tower Cluster

Date 2026-07-26Emission Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation CygnusParsed 2h217 framesFilter mixedS30 Pro_d40ea5282089 x 3798

2h

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region IC 1318 M29

Catalog distance: 5,500 ly / 1.226 kpc 45' x 20' / 7' apparent

FITS object: NGC 6910

Calendar date: 2026-07-26 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-26T03:14:13.158954 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 128.5 MB + 4.5 MB details

FIT / 90.8 MBPNG / 37.6 MB

Subject

Crescent Nebula

1 result

Broader Sadr Region

Crescent Nebula

Date 2026-07-21Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 2h54 frames1.8h integrationFilter mixedEQMod Mount5899 x 3933

2h

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC6888

FITS object: NGC 6888

Calendar date: 2026-07-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-20T02:47:37.183146 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 363.6 MB

FIT / 265.5 MBPNG / 98.0 MB

Subject

North America Nebula, Clamshell Nebula, Pelican Nebula

1 result

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula, Clamshell Nebula, Pelican Nebula

Date 2026-07-13Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 3h178 framesFilter mixedEQMod Mount5880 x 3869

3h

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

FITS object: NGC 7000

Calendar date: 2026-07-13 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-13T04:04:37.482728 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 358.0 MB

FIT / 260.4 MBPNG / 97.6 MB

Subject

North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Clamshell Nebula

1 result

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Clamshell Nebula

Date 2026-07-19Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 30h approximate5037 x 2666

20h HA10h SII Approximate total

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region NGC7000

Calendar date: 2026-07-19 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-19T15:40:59.668Z file date

Companion notes

A Continent in Smoke

This is the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) rendered from oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur data in a modified OHS palette. As I worked with the data, its colors began to resemble something closer to home: smoke filled clouds billowing from uncontrollable flames.

Over the past week, wildfires across Canada have threatened communities, displaced people and wildlife, and sent hazardous smoke across much of the continent. Hundreds of miles from the flames, skies dimmed, visibility collapsed, and air many take for granted became dangerous to breathe.

Beneath a smoke-obscured sky, this image began to take on a different meaning for me. There is an elemental connection here: the O, H, and S channels captured from this nebula are the same oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur involved in wildfires.

In the nebula, these elements glow after being energized by radiation from nearby stars. In our forests, oxygen fuels combustion, and sulfur contributes to that acrid taste in the air.

The processes are different, but the ingredients belong to the same universe.

The fires are a painful reminder that our atmosphere connects us all—and that the environment supporting every community, every forest, and every view of the night sky is more fragile than it can seem.

My thoughts are with the people and ecosystems affected, and with those working to protect them.

North America Nebula (NGC 5700), along with Pelican Nebula (IC 5070)

20 hours H-Alpha • 10 hours SII
Taken over multiple nights, combining 30/60 subs from S30 Pro, S50, and FMA135 with Nikon D5300.
Modified OHS palette

background

this was not caused by one single Canadian forest fire- it came from a broad outbreak of fires, with the smoke affecting the Northeast originating especially from northern and northwestern Ontario, alongside fires farther west in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

As of July 9, Canada reported 796 active wildfires, including 60 out-of-control fires receiving a full response. Officials expected July’s greatest fire danger around northern Manitoba, the Hudson Bay region, northern Ontario, and Quebec. By midweek, news reporting placed the national count above 800 active fires. 🍁 Public Safety Canada reported 796 active wildfires nationwide

Several things happened together:

Numerous new fires appeared in northwestern Ontario, including around Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Lake Nipigon, Armstrong, and Wabakimi. Ontario reported 26 new fires in its Northwest Region on July 14 alone. The province had recorded 453 fires for the year by then, compared with a ten-year average of 312 at the same point. Ontario forest-fire update
A large, persistent smoke plume moved south and southeast through the Great Lakes, Toronto, New York, New England, and portions of the Mid-Atlantic. Toronto briefly reached the highest-risk category on Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, while unhealthy-air alerts spread across the northeastern United States.
The worst visibility occurred when that smoke mixed downward into the air near the surface. That produces the gray, yellow, or orange haze you can actually see—not merely a thin plume high in the atmosphere. Environment Canada specifically warned of “very poor air quality and reduced visibility” from northwestern Ontario smoke and noted that conditions could change dramatically from hour to hour.Environment Canada air-quality warning

For the northeastern U.S., the timing was roughly:

Smoke intensified around July 14–17.
Parts of the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic experienced unhealthy air, with some 115 million people potentially exposed.
Rain and thunderstorms on July 18 helped disperse or wash out some of the near-surface smoke. Conditions have consequently improved in much of New England, although residual haze and locally elevated particulate levels remain possible. Reuters, Connecticut air-quality update

16 indexed source files / 27.2 MB + 65.5 MB details + 630.4 MB compares

PNG / 27.2 MBMD / 4.3 KB

Subject

Pyramid Cluster

M39 1 result

Broader Sadr Region

Pyramid Cluster

Date 2026-07-25Open ClusterConstellation CygnusParsed 23m47 frames24m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11596 x 1596

23m

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region M39

Catalog distance: 0.253 kpc 32' apparent

FITS object: M 39

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T08:31:15.783450 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 41.5 MB

FIT / 29.2 MBPNG / 12.4 MB

Subject

Sadr Region / Gamma Cygni Nebula

1 result

Broader Sadr Region

Sadr Region / Gamma Cygni Nebula

Date 2026-05-01Emission NebulaConstellation Cygnus1297 frames7.2h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104458 x 4651

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region IC 1318

Catalog distance: 5,500 ly 45' x 20' apparent

FITS object: NGC 6888

Calendar date: 2026-05-01 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-29T04:23:24.667277 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 334.2 MB

FIT / 237.3 MBPNG / 96.9 MB

Subject

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

1 result

Duration progression

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

6.9h to 7.72h 2 results

Panorama / Broader Sadr Region

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Date 2026-04-29Emission NebulaConstellation CygnusParsed 6.9h809 frames4.5h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3109139 x 1352

414m

Progression: 1 of 2 SH2-101 NGC6888 IC1318 Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Neighborhood: Broader Sadr Region SH2-101 NGC6888 IC 1318

Catalog distance: 5,500 ly 20' / 20' x 10' / 45' x 20' apparent

FITS object: NGC 6888

Calendar date: 2026-04-29 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-29T04:23:24.667277 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 200.4 MB

FIT / 141.4 MBPNG / 58.9 MB

Neighborhood

Cepheus Reflection

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Iris Nebula

1 result

Cepheus Reflection

Iris Nebula

Date 2026-07-09Reflection NebulaConstellation Cepheus519 frames4.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11390 x 2551

Neighborhood: Cepheus Reflection NGC7023

FITS object: C 4

Calendar date: 2026-07-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-12T05:32:06.540000 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 57.2 MB

FIT / 40.6 MBPNG / 16.6 MB

Neighborhood

Cepheus Region

M52 6 subjects 11 results Open region

Subject

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

3 results

Duration progression

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

4h to 11h 3 results

Cepheus Region

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Date 2026-06-02Dark NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 9h approximate3465 frames28.9h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104428 x 3038

4h HA5h SII Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 3 IC1396 Elephant Trunk Nebula

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region IC1396

FITS object: HIP 106890

Calendar date: 2026-06-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-02T02:14:21 DATE

2 indexed source files / 218.9 MB

FIT / 154.0 MBPNG / 64.9 MB

Cepheus Region

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Date 2026-05-30Dark NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 4h1 frame4686 x 3051

4h

Progression: 1 of 3 IC1396 Elephant Trunk Nebula

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region IC1396

Calendar date: 2026-05-30 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-30T16:19:55 DATE

2 indexed source files / 233.6 MB

FIT / 163.6 MBPNG / 70.0 MB

Cepheus Region

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Date 2026-07-18Dark NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 11h1224 framesFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3106661 x 4499

11h

Progression: 3 of 3 IC1396 Elephant Trunk Nebula

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region IC1396

FITS object: HIP 106890

Calendar date: 2026-07-18 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-29T08:11:36.892340 DATE-OBS

13 indexed source files / 490.8 MB + 240.5 MB details + 894.2 MB compares

FIT / 343.0 MBMD / 1.3 KBPNG / 147.8 MB

Subject

Lobster Claw

M52 3 results

Duration progression

Lobster Claw

6h to 14h 3 results

Cepheus Region

Lobster Claw

Date 2026-06-05Emission Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 14h approximate632 frames5.3h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104241 x 2590

8h SV6h HA Approximate total

Progression: 3 of 3 SH2-157 NGC7635 M52 Lobster Claw

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7635 M52 SH2-157

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 90' / 15' x 8' / 13' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7635

Calendar date: 2026-06-05 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-03T07:33:51.580544 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 177.3 MB

FIT / 125.7 MBPNG / 51.6 MB

Cepheus Region

Lobster Claw

Date 2026-06-02Emission Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 7h approximate1452 frames24.2h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3102268 x 2948

5h HA2h SII Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 3 SH2-157 NGC7635 M52 Lobster Claw

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7635 M52 SH2-157

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 90' / 15' x 8' / 13' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7635 wide

Calendar date: 2026-06-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-20T08:31:56.884395 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 111.3 MB

FIT / 76.5 MBPNG / 34.8 MB

Cepheus Region

Lobster Claw

Date 2026-06-03Emission Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 6h approximate1965 frames20.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b15215 x 3134

4h HA2h SII Approximate total

Progression: 1 of 3 SH2-157 NGC7635 M52 Lobster Claw

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7635 M52 SH2-157

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 90' / 15' x 8' / 13' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7635

Calendar date: 2026-06-03 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T08:06:25.545849 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 267.4 MB

FIT / 187.0 MBPNG / 80.4 MB

Subject

Wizard Nebula

2 results

Duration progression

Wizard Nebula

1.62h to 9h 2 results

Cepheus Region

Wizard Nebula

Date 2026-05-16Emission NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 9h approximate1 frameFilter mixed644 x 1144

6h HA3h SII Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 2 NGC7380 Wizard Nebula

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7380

Catalog distance: 2.222 kpc 25' x 20' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-16 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-16T19:26:00 DATE

Companion notes

Wizard Nebula, captured in the SHO Hubble palette.

The Wizard Nebula sits within the same local spiral structure of the Milky Way that our own Solar System occupies — an area called the Orion Spur, one of the smaller arms threading between the galaxy’s larger spirals. At different times of year, Earth’s orbit gives us completely different views through the plane of the galaxy. Over the coming months, our night sky shifts toward the direction of the galactic core. This image combines roughly 6 hours of hydrogen-alpha with 3 hours of sulfur data, revealing dense gas and dust being sculpted by radiation from newly formed stars inside one of those active stellar nurseries. Captured from my backyard in New Jersey with the Seestars S50 and S30 Pro, and dual narrowband filters.

3 indexed source files / 12.2 MB

FIT / 8.4 MBMD / 790 BPNG / 3.8 MB

Cepheus Region

Wizard Nebula

Date 2026-06-12Emission NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 1.62h97 frames1.6h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3101921 x 1081

97m

Progression: 1 of 2 NGC7380 Wizard Nebula

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7380

Catalog distance: 2.222 kpc 25' x 20' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7380

Calendar date: 2026-06-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-28T06:49:26.071963 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 33.8 MB

FIT / 23.8 MBPNG / 10.1 MB

Subject

bubble nebula

M52 1 result

Cepheus Region

bubble nebula

Date 2026-06-02Emission Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 4.23h509 frames4.2h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b13019 x 1698

254m

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7635 M52

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 15' x 8' / 13' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7635

Calendar date: 2026-06-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T08:06:25.545849 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 83.7 MB + 3.6 MB details

FIT / 58.7 MBPNG / 25.0 MB

Subject

Bubble Nebula

M52 1 result

Cepheus Region

Bubble Nebula

Date 2026-06-28Open Cluster / Emission NebulaConstellation Cassiopeia2308 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b12419 x 1978

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region NGC7635 M52

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 13' / 15' x 8' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7635

Calendar date: 2026-06-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T08:06:25.545849 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

Bubble Nebula in multiple palettes

These aren’t three artistic interpretations of the same image. They’re three different ways of visualizing the chemistry of the nebula.

palette	red	green	blue
HOS	hydrogen α	Oxygen	Sulfur
OSS	Oxygen	Sulfur	Sulfur
SHO	Sulfur	Hydrogen α	Oxygen

Notice what doesn’t change: No matter how the channels are mapped, this region is overwhelmingly dominated by hydrogen and oxygen. Sulfur is present, but only in relatively small amounts. In the HOS image it’s barely visible as hints of blue, and in the OSS image it contributes very little to the red oxygen signal. Even the classic SHO “Hubble palette,” which often produces rich golds and teals, is overwhelmingly blue here because there simply isn’t much sulfur to display.

To me, that’s the fascinating part. The colors aren’t telling us what the nebula looks like—they’re helping us understand what it’s made of.

The Bubble Nebula is another stellar nursery, but unlike the Heart, Soul, or North America Nebulae, the most obvious feature isn’t the cloud itself—it’s how a single massive star has begun reshaping that cloud.

The central star is a very hot, relatively young O-type star. While our Sun is 4.6 billion years old, this star is only about 2–4 million years old. The bubble itself is even younger; only a few hundred thousand years old. During that time, the star’s stellar winds having been carving the bubble out of it’s surrounding cloud.

Over the next few million years, the star will exhaust its fuel, leave the main sequence, and likely end its life as a supernova. When that happens, the Bubble Nebula will be reshaped once again. The resulting shock waves will create conditions that produce much stronger SII emission, making this region look dramatically different than it does today.

9 indexed source files / 1.9 KB + 8.1 MB details + 231.8 MB compares

MD / 1.9 KB

Subject

Lion Nebula

1 result

Cepheus Region

Lion Nebula

Date 2026-07-02Emission NebulaConstellation CepheusParsed 6h834 frames4.6h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b14083 x 4083

6h

Neighborhood: Cepheus Region SH2-132

FITS object: LDN 1156

Calendar date: 2026-07-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-01T02:30:42.517831 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 272.1 MB

FIT / 190.8 MBPNG / 81.3 MB

Neighborhood

Comet 10P

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Comet 10P

1 result

Comet 10P

Date 2026-07-20Parsed 1.33h481 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b12833 x 1637

80m

FITS object: 10P

Calendar date: 2026-07-20 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-20T05:01:21.084746 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 72.1 MB

FIT / 53.1 MBPNG / 19.0 MB

Neighborhood

Croc’s Eye Galaxy

M94 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Croc’s Eye Galaxy

M94 1 result

Croc’s Eye Galaxy

Date 2026-06-23GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 1h132 frames1.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11049 x 1022

1h

Neighborhood: N046 M94

Catalog distance: 4,445.72 kpc 7' x 3' apparent

FITS object: M 94

Calendar date: 2026-06-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-10T01:47:26.470172 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 17.7 MB

FIT / 12.3 MBPNG / 5.4 MB

Neighborhood

Dumbbell Nebula

M27 1 subject 3 results Open region

Subject

Dumbbell Nebula

M27 3 results

Duration progression

Dumbbell Nebula

29m to 5h 3 results

Dumbbell Nebula

Date 2026-04-20Planetary NebulaConstellation VulpeculaParsed 1.68h201 frames1.7h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b1978 x 1511

101m

Progression: 2 of 3 M27 Dumbell Nebula

Neighborhood: N062 M27

Catalog distance: 0.383 kpc 8' x 5.7' apparent

FITS object: M 27

Calendar date: 2026-04-20 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T06:31:55.851211 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 24.3 MB

FIT / 16.9 MBPNG / 7.3 MB

Dumbbell Nebula

Date 2026-06-05Planetary NebulaConstellation VulpeculaParsed 5h320 frames5.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11201 x 2150

5h

Progression: 3 of 3 M27 Dumbell Nebula

Neighborhood: N062 M27

Catalog distance: 0.383 kpc 8' x 5.7' apparent

FITS object: M 27

Calendar date: 2026-06-05 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-04T07:01:37.500548 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 42.0 MB

FIT / 29.6 MBPNG / 12.5 MB

Dumbbell Nebula

Date 2026-04-04Planetary NebulaConstellation VulpeculaParsed 29m29 frames29m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b1970 x 1834

29m

Progression: 1 of 3 M27 Dumbell Nebula

Neighborhood: N062 M27

Catalog distance: 0.383 kpc 8' x 5.7' apparent

FITS object: M 27

Calendar date: 2026-04-04 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-04T07:00:37.716798 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 29.8 MB

FIT / 20.4 MBPNG / 9.4 MB

Neighborhood

Gemini/Auriga Region

M1 3 subjects 3 results Open region

Subject

Crab Nebula

M1 1 result

Gemini/Auriga Region

Crab Nebula

Date 2026-07-05Supernova RemnantConstellation TaurusParsed 35m71 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b12489 x 2489

35m

Neighborhood: Gemini/Auriga Region M1

Catalog distance: 1.932 kpc 6' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 1

Calendar date: 2026-07-05 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T01:00:45.811537 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 99.8 MB

FIT / 70.9 MBPNG / 28.9 MB

Subject

Monkey Head Nebula

1 result

Gemini/Auriga Region

Monkey Head Nebula

Date 2026-04-19Emission NebulaConstellation OrionParsed 2.45h324 frames1.8h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11089 x 1702

147m

Neighborhood: Gemini/Auriga Region NGC2174

FITS object: NGC 2175

Calendar date: 2026-04-19 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-18T01:32:07.096216 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 31.2 MB

FIT / 21.2 MBPNG / 10.0 MB

Subject

Rosette Nebula

1 result

Gemini/Auriga Region

Rosette Nebula

Date 2026-04-18Emission NebulaConstellation MonocerosParsed 43m139 frames46m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11098 x 1844

43m

Neighborhood: Gemini/Auriga Region NGC2237

FITS object: LDN 1625

Calendar date: 2026-04-18 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-18T00:38:29.420161 DATE-OBS

3 indexed source files / 34.2 MB

FIT / 23.2 MBMD / 562 BPNG / 11.0 MB

Neighborhood

Headphones Nebula

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Headphones Nebula

1 result

Headphones Nebula

Date 2026-06-06Parsed 2.5h286 frames2.4h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11115 x 2139

2.5h

FITS object: Headphones nebula

Calendar date: 2026-06-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T03:01:32.917507 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 39.2 MB

FIT / 27.3 MBPNG / 11.9 MB

Neighborhood

Heart and Soul

3 subjects 5 results Open region

Subject

Heart Nebula

3 results

Duration progression

Heart Nebula

51m to 2.42h 3 results

Heart and Soul

Heart Nebula

Date 2026-04-28Emission NebulaConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 2.42h291 frames2.4h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104046 x 2113

145m

Progression: 2 of 3 IC1805 Heart Nebula

Neighborhood: Heart and Soul IC1805

Catalog distance: 2.344 kpc 60' apparent

FITS object: IC 1805

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T00:43:42.771329 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 142.3 MB

FIT / 97.8 MBPNG / 44.5 MB

Heart and Soul

Heart Nebula

Date 2026-04-28Emission NebulaConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 2.42h291 frames2.4h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104046 x 2113

145m

Progression: 3 of 3 IC1805 Heart Nebula

Neighborhood: Heart and Soul IC1805

Catalog distance: 2.344 kpc 60' apparent

FITS object: IC 1805

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T00:43:42.771329 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 138.8 MB

FIT / 97.8 MBPNG / 40.9 MB

Heart and Soul

Heart Nebula

Date 2026-04-28Emission NebulaConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 51m102 frames51m integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104000 x 2000

51m

Progression: 1 of 3 IC1805 Heart Nebula

Neighborhood: Heart and Soul IC1805

Catalog distance: 2.344 kpc 60' apparent

FITS object: IC 1805

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T00:43:42.771329 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 127.6 MB

FIT / 91.6 MBPNG / 36.0 MB

Subject

Heart Nebula Soul Nebula

1 result

Heart and Soul

Heart Nebula Soul Nebula

Date 2026-07-25Emission NebulaConstellation Cassiopeia48 framesEQMod Mount2501 x 3191

Neighborhood: Heart and Soul IC1805 IC1848

Catalog distance: 2.344 kpc / 2.002 kpc 60' / 40' x 10' apparent

FITS object: IC 1805

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T08:11:26.760622 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

When we look toward Cassiopeia on a clear autumn night, we’re looking beyond our own local neighborhood of the Milky Way.

About 7,500 light-years away lies one of our galaxy’s great stellar nurseries: a vast molecular cloud where stars have been forming for millions of years. We know its brightest regions as the Heart Nebula (IC 1805) and the Soul Nebula (IC 1848), though nature never drew a boundary between them. Together they form a single star-forming complex spanning hundreds of light-years across the Perseus Arm of our galaxy.

Region	Catalog identity	What it contributes
Heart Nebula	IC 1805	A bright emission nebula shaped by young massive stars and dark dust lanes.
Soul Nebula	IC 1848	A neighboring emission region in the same broad star-forming landscape.
Double Cluster	NGC 869 and NGC 884	A nearby pair of brilliant young open clusters in the same Perseus Arm direction.

The names “Heart” and “Soul” are ours. The physics is timeless.

Heart NebulaA closer view of the Heart Nebula, where young stars and dark dust lanes carve structure into the surrounding hydrogen cloud.

At the center of the Heart lies Melotte 15, a young open cluster only about two or three million years old. The most massive stars in the cluster are dozens of times more massive than our Sun. Their ultraviolet radiation ionizes the surrounding hydrogen, causing the nebula to glow, while powerful stellar winds slowly sculpt the cloud into pillars, cavities, and dark dust lanes.

The stars are already changing the cloud that created them.

Those same stars will also determine the Heart Nebula’s future. Within a few million years, the most massive among them will exhaust their fuel and explode as supernovae. Their explosions will scatter newly forged heavy elements throughout the surrounding cloud, enriching the next generation of stars and planets.

Soul NebulaA closer view of the Soul Nebula, where several pockets of young stars illuminate and reshape the surrounding cloud.

While the Heart often draws the attention, the neighboring Soul Nebula tells the same story from a different perspective. Rather than being dominated by a single young cluster, the Soul contains multiple pockets of ongoing star formation spread throughout its vast cloud. Like the Heart, it is only a few million years into its current chapter—a fleeting moment in the life of a molecular cloud. Together, the two nebulae span hundreds of light-years across the Perseus Arm, quietly converting cold hydrogen gas into the next generation of stars.

The Heart and Soul Nebulae are not permanent, fixed celestial objects. they are one moment in a much longer story.

Just beyond the Heart and Soul lies another remarkable sight: the Double Cluster. At first glance it appears unrelated, two brilliant concentrations of stars floating against the background of the Milky Way. In reality, it is another nearby young stellar population, roughly the same distance from Earth as the Heart and Soul. Although it is not physically embedded within the glowing nebulae, it occupies the same broader region of the Perseus Arm, reminding us that this part of the galaxy has been producing stars on an enormous scale for millions of years.

Stars Around the HeartThe surrounding field puts the Heart Nebula back into its crowded stellar context: young clusters, foreground stars, and the broader Cassiopeia/Perseus Arm neighborhood all sharing the same sweep of sky.

Seen together, these objects transform our understanding of the night sky.

The Heart and Soul are regions within a much larger galactic landscape—a place where giant molecular clouds collapse, young clusters ignite, stellar winds reshape their birthplace, and future supernovae prepare the raw material for another cycle of creation.

The colors in this image trace hydrogen and oxygen, revealing where radiation from young stars is energizing the surrounding gas. Hidden within those clouds are countless other elements—carbon, silicon, iron, calcium—created by generations of stars that lived and died long before the Heart Nebula existed. Those same elements will one day become part of new stars, new planets, and perhaps new life.

Every atom in our own hearts followed a similar journey.

Long before Earth formed, those atoms drifted through clouds like these. They were forged inside ancient stars, scattered across the galaxy, gathered into new molecular clouds, and eventually incorporated into the Sun, the Earth, and every living thing.

The Heart Nebula reminds us that stellar nurseries are more than beautiful clouds. They are the places where galaxies renew themselves.

We are not simply looking at where stars are born.

We are looking at one chapter in the story of how the universe became capable of looking back at itself.

We are the Hearts and Souls of the Milky Way.

20 indexed source files / 43.7 MB + 111.7 MB details + 382.2 MB compares + 1.0 GB variants

PNG / 43.7 MBMD / 7.2 KB

Subject

Soul Nebula

1 result

Heart and Soul

Soul Nebula

Date 2026-04-28Emission NebulaConstellation CassiopeiaParsed 1.65h99 frames1.6h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104284 x 2410

99m

Neighborhood: Heart and Soul IC1848

Catalog distance: 2.002 kpc 40' x 10' apparent

FITS object: IC 1848

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-28T01:22:12.851725 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 163.8 MB

FIT / 118.2 MBPNG / 45.6 MB

Neighborhood

Helix Nebula

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Helix Nebula

1 result

Helix Nebula

Date 2026-06-25Planetary NebulaConstellation AquariusParsed 50m99 frames50m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11575 x 2745

50m

Neighborhood: Helix Nebula NGC 7293

Catalog distance: 652 ly 16' x 12' apparent

FITS object: NGC 7293

Calendar date: 2026-06-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-25T07:02:40.945189 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 70.1 MB

FIT / 49.5 MBPNG / 20.6 MB

Neighborhood

Hercules Globular Cluster

M13 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Hercules Globular Cluster

M13 1 result

Hercules Globular Cluster

Date 2026-06-03Globular ClusterConstellation HerculesParsed 33m67 frames34m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11393 x 2608

33m

Neighborhood: Hercules Globular Cluster M13

Catalog distance: 7.696 kpc 16.6' apparent

FITS object: M 13

Calendar date: 2026-06-03 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-02T03:32:30.128615 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 58.1 MB

FIT / 41.6 MBPNG / 16.5 MB

Neighborhood

Leo Triplet

M65 M66 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Leos Triplet

M65 M66 1 result

Leo Triplet

Leos Triplet

Date 2026-05-21GalaxyConstellation LeoParsed 3.28h394 frames3.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11410 x 2519

197m

Neighborhood: Leo Triplet M65 M66

Catalog distance: 10,731.049 kpc 8' x 1.5' / 8' x 2.5' apparent

FITS object: M 66

Calendar date: 2026-05-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-09T04:01:55.320542 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 58.6 MB + 4.6 MB details

FIT / 40.7 MBPNG / 18.0 MB

Neighborhood

Little Dumbbell Nebula

M76 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Little Dumbbell Nebula

M76 1 result

Little Dumbbell Nebula

Date 2026-06-25Planetary NebulaConstellation PerseusParsed 43m85 frames43m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11218 x 1218

43m

Neighborhood: Little Dumbbell Nebula M76

Catalog distance: 1.042 kpc 2.7' x 1.8' apparent

FITS object: M 76

Calendar date: 2026-06-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-25T06:02:05.416258 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 24.4 MB

FIT / 17.0 MBPNG / 7.4 MB

Neighborhood

M106

M106 1 subject 2 results Open region

Subject

M106

M106 2 results

Duration progression

M106

1.65h to 4h 2 results

M106

Date 2026-06-11GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 4h755 frames12.6h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b12361 x 1243

4h

Progression: 2 of 2 M106

Neighborhood: N042 M106

Catalog distance: 7,665.035 kpc 19' x 8' apparent

FITS object: M 106

Calendar date: 2026-06-11 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-24T08:51:28.773490 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 47.4 MB

FIT / 33.6 MBPNG / 13.8 MB

M106

Date 2026-05-21GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 1.65h577 frames48m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11502 x 2561

99m

Progression: 1 of 2 M106

Neighborhood: N042 M106

Catalog distance: 7,665.035 kpc 19' x 8' apparent

FITS object: M 106

Calendar date: 2026-05-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-08T07:00:39.852291 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 63.5 MB

FIT / 44.0 MBPNG / 19.5 MB

Neighborhood

Markarian's Chain

M49 M84 M85 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M98 M99 M100 M104 7 subjects 8 results Open region

Subject

Markarian's Chain

M89 M90 M98 M99 2 results

Markarian's Chain

Date 2026-06-14GalaxyConstellation VirgoParsed 20m41 frames21m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11470 x 2645

20m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M89 M90

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 9.5' x 4.5' / 4' apparent

FITS object: M 90

Calendar date: 2026-06-14 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-10T03:20:17.566174 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 63.6 MB + 4.0 MB details

FIT / 44.5 MBPNG / 19.1 MB

Markarian's Chain

Date 2026-06-14GalaxyConstellation Coma BerenicesParsed 20m39 frames20m integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3102313 x 3635

20m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M98 M99

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 9.5' x 3.2' / 5.4' x 4.8' apparent

FITS object: M 98

Calendar date: 2026-06-14 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-04T01:57:57.409290 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 138.7 MB + 17.3 MB details

FIT / 96.2 MBPNG / 42.5 MB

Subject

M49

M49 1 result

Markarian's Chain

M49

Date 2026-07-26GalaxyConstellation VirgoParsed 10m20 frames10m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11469 x 1469

10m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M49

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 9' x 7.5' apparent

FITS object: M 49

Calendar date: 2026-07-26 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-26T01:31:07.112578 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 36.3 MB

FIT / 24.7 MBPNG / 11.6 MB

Subject

M85

M85 1 result

Markarian's Chain

M85

Date 2026-07-21GalaxyConstellation Coma BerenicesParsed 35m57 frames29m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11348 x 1348

35m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M85

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 7.1' x 5.2' apparent

FITS object: M 85

Calendar date: 2026-07-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-20T01:44:59.199612 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 30.0 MB

FIT / 20.8 MBPNG / 9.2 MB

Subject

Markarians Chain

M84 M86 M88 M100 1 result

Markarian's Chain

Markarians Chain

Date 2026-06-03GalaxyConstellation Virgo / Coma BerenicesParsed 2.62h314 frames2.6h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b17527 x 5195

157m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M100 M84 M86 M88

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 5' / 7.5' x 5.5' / 7' x 4' / 7' x 6' apparent

FITS object: M 100

Calendar date: 2026-06-03 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-19T04:03:23.890053 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 636.9 MB

FIT / 447.5 MBPNG / 189.4 MB

Subject

Mirror Galaxy

M100 1 result

Markarian's Chain

Mirror Galaxy

Date 2026-06-13GalaxyConstellation Coma BerenicesParsed 42m84 frames42m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11337 x 2483

42m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M100

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 7' x 6' apparent

FITS object: M 100

Calendar date: 2026-06-13 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-19T04:03:23.890053 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 54.7 MB + 2.5 MB details

FIT / 38.0 MBPNG / 16.7 MB

Subject

Sombrero Galaxy

M104 1 result

Markarian's Chain

Sombrero Galaxy

Date 2026-06-23GalaxyConstellation VirgoParsed 26m52 frames26m integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11756 x 1756

26m

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M104

Catalog distance: 15,330.07 kpc 9' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 104

Calendar date: 2026-06-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-22T01:33:31.737340 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 49.2 MB + 9.1 MB details

FIT / 35.3 MBPNG / 13.9 MB

Subject

Virgo A

M87 1 result

Markarian's Chain

Virgo A

Date 2026-06-09GalaxyConstellation Virgo435 frames3.6h integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11233 x 907

Neighborhood: Markarian's Chain M87

Catalog distance: 18,396.084 kpc 7' apparent

FITS object: M 87

Calendar date: 2026-06-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-08T03:00:27.906421 DATE-OBS

7 indexed source files / 17.5 MB + 18.1 MB details

FIT / 12.8 MBMD / 108 BPNG / 4.7 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 12 (M12)

M12 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 12 (M12)

M12 1 result

Messier 12 (M12)

Date 2026-06-03Globular ClusterConstellation OphiuchusParsed 29m57 frames29m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11528 x 2599

29m

Neighborhood: N081 M12

Catalog distance: 4.906 kpc 14.5' apparent

FITS object: M 12

Calendar date: 2026-06-03 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-02T04:50:03.430338 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 64.6 MB

FIT / 45.5 MBPNG / 19.1 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 14 (M14)

M14 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 14 (M14)

M14 1 result

Messier 14 (M14)

Date 2026-07-25Globular ClusterConstellation OphiuchusParsed 10m19 frames10m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11430 x 1430

10m

Neighborhood: Messier 14 (M14) M14

Catalog distance: 8.891 kpc 11.7' apparent

FITS object: M 14

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T05:11:14.100079 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 33.7 MB

FIT / 23.4 MBPNG / 10.3 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 15 (M15)

M15 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 15 (M15)

M15 1 result

Messier 15 (M15)

Date 2026-06-05Globular ClusterConstellation PegasusParsed 25m51 frames26m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11272 x 2421

25m

Neighborhood: Messier 15 (M15) M15

Catalog distance: 10.302 kpc 12.3' apparent

FITS object: M 15

Calendar date: 2026-06-05 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-03T06:24:12.829231 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 49.5 MB

FIT / 35.3 MBPNG / 14.3 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 3 (M3)

M3 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 3 (M3)

M3 1 result

Messier 3 (M3)

Date 2026-07-03Globular ClusterConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 18m106 frames18m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b1941 x 941

18m

Neighborhood: Messier 3 (M3) M3

Catalog distance: 10.394 kpc 16.2' apparent

FITS object: M 3

Calendar date: 2026-07-03 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-03T01:25:12.292181 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 14.6 MB

FIT / 10.2 MBPNG / 4.5 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 40 (M40)

M40 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 40 (M40)

M40 1 result

Messier 40 (M40)

Date 2026-07-21Double StarConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 35m70 frames35m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11593 x 1593

35m

Neighborhood: N042 M40

Catalog distance: 0.156 kpc 0.8' apparent

FITS object: M 40

Calendar date: 2026-07-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-20T02:40:01.327161 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 41.4 MB

FIT / 29.1 MBPNG / 12.3 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 56 (M56)

M56 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 56 (M56)

M56 1 result

Messier 56 (M56)

Date 2026-07-25Globular ClusterConstellation LyraParsed 20m41 frames21m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11529 x 1529

20m

Neighborhood: N059 M56

Catalog distance: 9.995 kpc 7.1' apparent

FITS object: M 56

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T07:11:06.744398 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 38.7 MB

FIT / 26.8 MBPNG / 11.9 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 72 (M72)

M72 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 72 (M72)

M72 1 result

Messier 72 (M72)

Date 2026-07-25Globular ClusterConstellation AquariusParsed 16m32 frames16m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11544 x 1544

16m

Neighborhood: N086 M72

Catalog distance: 16.986 kpc 5.9' apparent

FITS object: M 72

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T06:41:28.399289 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 39.4 MB

FIT / 27.3 MBPNG / 12.1 MB

Neighborhood

Messier 92 (M92)

M92 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Messier 92 (M92)

M92 1 result

Messier 92 (M92)

Date 2026-07-25Globular ClusterConstellation HerculesParsed 16m32 frames16m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11562 x 1562

16m

Neighborhood: Messier 92 (M92) M92

Catalog distance: 8.186 kpc 11.2' apparent

FITS object: M 92

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T06:11:15.289251 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 39.6 MB

FIT / 27.9 MBPNG / 11.7 MB

Neighborhood

MilkyWay extended cygnus region

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

MilkyWay extended cygnus region

1 result

MilkyWay extended cygnus region

Date 2026-07-17Parsed 5h2365 x 1330

5h

Calendar date: 2026-07-17 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-17T16:09:10.912Z file date

5 indexed source files / 36.0 MB + 38.7 MB compares

FIT / 36.0 MBMD / 245 B

Neighborhood

NCG7331 Deer Lick Galaxy Group

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

NCG7331 Deer Lick Galaxy Group

1 result

NCG7331 Deer Lick Galaxy Group

Date 2026-07-21Parsed 45m280 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b13910 x 2234

45m

FITS object: NGC 7331

Calendar date: 2026-07-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-20T07:01:31.099778 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 139.7 MB

FIT / 100.0 MBPNG / 39.8 MB

Neighborhood

Orion Complex

M42 M43 M78 3 subjects 7 results Open region

Subject

Orion

M42 M43 5 results

Duration progression

Orion

3.73h to 12h 5 results

Orion Complex

Orion

Date 2026-05-22Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 12h approximate1 frameFilter mixed1278 x 1840

4h RGB7h HA1h SII Approximate total

Progression: 5 of 5 M42 M43 Orion

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-22 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-22T19:36:26 DATE

2 indexed source files / 37.9 MB

FIT / 26.9 MBPNG / 10.9 MB

Orion Complex

Orion

Date 2026-05-22Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 12h approximate1 frameFilter mixed1278 x 1840

4h RGB7h HA1h SII Approximate total

Progression: 4 of 5 M42 M43 Orion

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-22 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-22T17:17:25 DATE

2 indexed source files / 37.6 MB

FIT / 26.9 MBPNG / 10.7 MB

Orion Complex

Orion

Date 2026-03-15Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 5.82h1 frameFilter mixed984 x 1770

349m

Progression: 2 of 5 M42 M43 Orion

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-03-15 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-15T16:38:36 DATE

2 indexed source files / 27.9 MB

FIT / 19.9 MBPNG / 8.0 MB

Orion Complex

Orion

Date 2026-03-07Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 3.73h1 frameFilter mixed1042 x 1823

224m

Progression: 1 of 5 M42 M43 Orion

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-03-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-07T13:56:53 DATE

2 indexed source files / 30.6 MB

FIT / 21.8 MBPNG / 8.8 MB

Orion Complex

Orion

Date 2026-05-02Reflection Nebula / HIIConstellation OrionParsed 12h3441 frames19.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11536 x 2567

12h

Progression: 3 of 5 M42 M43 Orion

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M42 M43

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 85' x 60' / 20' x 15' apparent

FITS object: M 42 Orion

Calendar date: 2026-05-02 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-14T23:35:58.834177 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 64.2 MB + 27.7 MB details

FIT / 45.1 MBPNG / 19.1 MB

Subject

Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula

M78 1 result

Orion Complex

Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula

Date 2026-04-14Reflection NebulaConstellation OrionParsed 2.52h387 frames1.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11045 x 1787

151m

Neighborhood: Orion Complex M78

Catalog distance: 0.491 kpc 8' x 6' apparent

FITS object: M 78

Calendar date: 2026-04-14 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-04T01:00:57.740550 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 31.4 MB

FIT / 21.4 MBPNG / 10.0 MB

Subject

Horsehead Nebula

1 result

Orion Complex

Horsehead Nebula

Date 2026-03-07Dark NebulaConstellation OrionParsed 1.85h1 frameFilter mixed2071 x 1153

111m

Neighborhood: Orion Complex IC434

Calendar date: 2026-03-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-07T16:30:34 DATE

2 indexed source files / 39.7 MB

FIT / 27.3 MBPNG / 12.4 MB

Neighborhood

Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

M97 M108 1 subject 2 results Open region

Subject

Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

M97 M108 2 results

Duration progression

Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

8h 2 results

Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

Date 2026-06-07Planetary Nebula / GalaxyConstellation Ursa Major503 frames4.2h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b12396 x 1223

Progression: 2 of 2 M97 M108 Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

Neighborhood: N042 M108 M97

Catalog distance: 0.797 kpc / 13,797.063 kpc 3.4' x 3.3' / 8' x 1' apparent

FITS object: M 97

Calendar date: 2026-06-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T04:46:49.510011 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 48.4 MB

FIT / 33.5 MBPNG / 14.8 MB

Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

Date 2026-06-09Planetary Nebula / GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 8h1059 frames8.8h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11193 x 2479

8h

Progression: 1 of 2 M97 M108 Owl Nebula, Surfboard Galaxy

Neighborhood: N042 M108 M97

Catalog distance: 0.797 kpc / 13,797.063 kpc 3.4' x 3.3' / 8' x 1' apparent

FITS object: M 97

Calendar date: 2026-06-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T04:46:49.510011 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 48.5 MB + 13.9 MB details

FIT / 33.9 MBPNG / 14.7 MB

Neighborhood

Pacman Nebula

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Pacman Nebula

1 result

Pacman Nebula

Date 2026-06-24Emission NebulaConstellation Cassiopeia2643 frames22.0h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11507 x 2645

Neighborhood: Pacman Nebula NGC281

FITS object: NGC 281W

Calendar date: 2026-06-24 Companion Markdown calendarDate

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-19T05:31:19.074632 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

Pacman Nebula in HOO and SHO Palettes

This is the Pacman Nebula (NGC 281), shown in both HOO and SHO palettes. The HOO image is processed from 3.5 hours of Optolong L-eXtreme dual-narrowband HA/OIII data, and the SHO image adds 4 hours of SII/OIII data captured with the SVBONY SV220.

This isn’t just an aesthetic difference; the additional color and texture in the SHO image reveal more information about the star formation processes happening across this huge region of space.

This is what Capture Studio in AstroGuide was built for. The HOO image is great on its own, and it’s close to what we can capture when we “point and shoot” our Seestars at NGC 281. Capture Studio helped me understand that there was more to see and learn from this subject by adding additional channel data.

Those extra hours didn’t just produce a different color palette; they revealed subtle structures and relationships within the nebula that I never would have seen with just the HOO data.

That’s exactly the kind of question I’m building AstroGuide to answer: not just what to image, but how to get the most out of it.

Stacking and Cleanup Process

All stacking and post processing was done in Siril, often using the Workflow Companion script produced by DeepSpaceAstro.

Stacking
- Tower stacking: I started by stacking the L-eXtreme and SV220 data separately. I had 3 sessions of LX and 4 sessions of SV, each around 30-90 minutes. Each session was stacked using the Naztronomy scripts, with 1.5x/.8 drizzle, stars/BG rejection filters, and noise-weighted stacking.
- Cleanup: Each individual session was then cropped, background removed, and color corrected with SPCC.
- Masters: The sessions for each filter were then stacked together; the SV and LX sessions were stacked into SV and LX masters.
- Standardization: I created a sequence with the 2 masters, then plate-solved and registered the sequence so the masters would be aligned.
- Sequence operations: I could then perform “batch” operations on the masters together:
  - Deconvolution/aberration removal
  - Background removal
  - SPCC
  - StarNet star removal
  - SCUNet denoise
SHO construction: At this point, I had 2 properly aligned and cleaned masters from LX and SV.
- Extract channels
  - Pull HA (red), OIII (blue + green), and luminance from starless LX
  - Pull SII (red) and OIII (blue + green) from starless SV
- PixelMath
  - Enhance SII: SII becomes a 9:1 blend of the red channels from SV and LX, subtracting a portion of the LX green channel.
  - Soften HA: The HA from LX is very dominant, so I soften it by subtracting SV channels.
  - Aggregate OIII: Combine the OIII from both B and G channels from SV and LX.
- RGB recombination
  - Combine SII, HA, and OIII channels with the luminance layer
HOO/SHO finishing
- For both the recombined SHO image and the HOO image (starless from LX), I performed basic post-processing:
  - Statistical stretch
  - Additional tweaks with SCUNet denoise
  - Starless color grading with VeraLux Curves/Vectra
  - Star recombination
  - Cosmic Clarity sharpen
  - Final grading tweaks

9 indexed source files / 4.1 KB + 174.8 MB compares

MD / 4.1 KB

Neighborhood

Pinwheel Galaxy

M101 1 subject 3 results Open region

Subject

Pinwheel Galaxy

M101 3 results

Duration progression

Pinwheel Galaxy

2.77h to 9h 3 results

Pinwheel Galaxy

Date 2026-05-20GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 7.5h897 frames7.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b12360 x 1228

7.5h

Progression: 2 of 3 M101

Neighborhood: Pinwheel Galaxy M101

Catalog distance: 8,278.238 kpc 22' apparent

FITS object: M 101

Calendar date: 2026-05-20 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-24T03:22:37.020680 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 47.9 MB

FIT / 33.2 MBPNG / 14.7 MB

Pinwheel Galaxy

Date 2026-06-01GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 9h1124 frames9.4h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11262 x 2393

9h

Progression: 3 of 3 M101

Neighborhood: Pinwheel Galaxy M101

Catalog distance: 8,278.238 kpc 22' apparent

FITS object: M 101

Calendar date: 2026-06-01 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-24T03:22:37.020680 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 50.1 MB

FIT / 34.6 MBPNG / 15.5 MB

Pinwheel Galaxy

Date 2026-03-07GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 2.77h470 frames2.6h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11927 x 1099

166m

Progression: 1 of 3 M101

Neighborhood: Pinwheel Galaxy M101

Catalog distance: 8,278.238 kpc 22' apparent

FITS object: M 101

Calendar date: 2026-03-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-26T04:58:27.561617 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 35.3 MB

FIT / 24.3 MBPNG / 11.1 MB

Neighborhood

Pleiades

M45 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Pleiades

M45 1 result

Pleiades

Date 2026-07-26Reflection NebulaConstellation TaurusParsed 2.05h123 framesFilter mixedS30 Pro_d40ea5283163 x 3163

123m

Neighborhood: Pleiades M45

Catalog distance: 0.117 kpc 110' apparent

FITS object: M 45

Calendar date: 2026-07-26 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-26T06:32:20.898851 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 164.4 MB

FIT / 114.5 MBPNG / 49.9 MB

Neighborhood

Rho Ophiuchi Complex

M4 M80 1 subject 2 results Open region

Subject

Rho Ophiuchi Nebula

M4 M80 2 results

Rho Ophiuchi Complex

Rho Ophiuchi Nebula

Date 2026-06-06Nebula / Globular ClusterConstellation Ophiuchus / ScorpiusParsed 11h1760 frames14.7h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104666 x 7222

11h

Neighborhood: Rho Ophiuchi Complex M80 M4

Catalog distance: 2.208 kpc / 9.995 kpc 60' x 25' / 26.3' / 8.9' apparent

FITS object: Alniyat

Calendar date: 2026-06-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-06T04:03:45.224379 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 564.8 MB + 7.0 MB details

FIT / 385.7 MBPNG / 179.1 MB

Rho Ophiuchi Complex

Rho Ophiuchi Nebula

Date 2026-05-18NebulaConstellation OphiuchusParsed 1.75h210 frames1.8h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3105314 x 3076

105m

Neighborhood: Rho Ophiuchi Complex

FITS object: IC 4604

Calendar date: 2026-05-18 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-18T05:30:54.025843 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 269.8 MB

FIT / 187.1 MBPNG / 82.7 MB

Neighborhood

Ring Nebula

M57 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Ring Nebula

M57 1 result

Ring Nebula

Date 2026-06-14Planetary NebulaConstellation LyraParsed 3h374 frames3.1h integrationFilter LPS50_85b661b11130 x 1130

3h

Neighborhood: N059 M57

Catalog distance: 0.705 kpc 1.4' x 1' apparent

FITS object: M 57

Calendar date: 2026-06-14 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-20T06:03:52.697029 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 19.9 MB

FIT / 14.6 MBPNG / 5.3 MB

Neighborhood

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

M8 M11 M16 M17 M20 M21 M22 M24 M26 13 subjects 22 results Open region

Subject

Eagle Nebula

M16 4 results

Duration progression

Eagle Nebula

1.85h to 17h 4 results

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula

Date 2026-06-27Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens CaudaParsed 17h approximate18540 frames154.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b12949 x 1966

7h HA10h SII Approximate total

Progression: 4 of 4 M16 Eagle Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc 7' apparent

FITS object: M 16

Calendar date: 2026-06-27 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T09:01:41.366031 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 91.2 MB + 35.6 MB details

FIT / 66.4 MBPNG / 24.8 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula

Date 2026-03-21Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens CaudaParsed 9.55h1 frameFilter mixed1074 x 1665

573m

Progression: 3 of 4 M16 Eagle Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc 7' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-03-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-21T16:39:28 DATE

2 indexed source files / 28.6 MB

FIT / 20.5 MBPNG / 8.1 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula

Date 2026-03-14Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens CaudaParsed 7.27h1 frameFilter mixed894 x 1531

436m

Progression: 2 of 4 M16 Eagle Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc 7' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-03-14 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-14T14:53:26 DATE

2 indexed source files / 22.2 MB

FIT / 15.7 MBPNG / 6.5 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula

Date 2026-03-07Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens CaudaParsed 1.85h333 frames1.9h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b1998 x 1640

111m

Progression: 1 of 4 M16 Eagle Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc 7' apparent

FITS object: M 16 eagle

Calendar date: 2026-03-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-27T09:50:41.451762 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 26.9 MB

FIT / 18.7 MBPNG / 8.1 MB

Subject

Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

M16 M17 3 results

Duration progression

Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

7.73h to 14h 3 results

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Date 2026-05-23Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 14h approximate4640 x 1237

9h SII5h HA Approximate total

Progression: 3 of 3 M16 M17 Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 7' / 11' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-23T03:40:54.908Z file date

1 indexed source file / 27.2 MB

PNG / 27.2 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Date 2026-04-24Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 9.78h approximate1 frameFilter mixed3366 x 1770

265m HA322m SII Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 3 M16 M17 Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 7' / 11' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-04-24 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-24T13:56:00 DATE

2 indexed source files / 92.5 MB

FIT / 68.2 MBPNG / 24.3 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Date 2026-04-23Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 7.73h approximate1 frameFilter mixed2933 x 1598

228m SII236m HA Approximate total

Progression: 1 of 3 M16 M17 Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17

Catalog distance: 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 7' / 11' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-04-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-23T22:44:56 DATE

2 indexed source files / 77.3 MB

FIT / 53.6 MBPNG / 23.7 MB

Subject

Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

M8 M20 M21 3 results

Duration progression

Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

3.73h to 24h 4 results

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Date 2026-05-06Emission Nebula / Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 5.2h3100 x 1744

312m

Progression: 3 of 4 M8 M20 M21 Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 90' x 40' / 28' / 13' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-05-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-05-06T05:21:19.012Z file date

1 indexed source file / 27.5 MB

PNG / 27.5 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Date 2026-05-23Emission Nebula / Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 3.73h228 frames3.8h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103483 x 1959

224m

Progression: 1 of 4 M8 M20 M21 Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 90' x 40' / 28' / 13' apparent

FITS object: M 20

Calendar date: 2026-05-23 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-27T06:52:13.285254 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

Lagoon Nebula + Trifid Nebula

Two very different nebulae sharing the same region of sky. The Lagoon Nebula is a massive star-forming region filled with glowing hydrogen gas and dense dust lanes, while the Trifid combines emission, reflection, and dark dust in a single object — one of the few regions where all three are so clearly visible together. The red comes from hydrogen emission, the blue from reflected starlight, and the dark lanes are dense dust cutting through the center — giving the nebula its distinctive “three-lobed” structure. Also included in this frame is Webb’s Cross, M21- a simple alignment of stars that just happens to form a recognizable pattern from our point of view.

Capturing all of that together calls for a broadband filter like the L-Pro, which passes key emission lines and starlight while blocking much of the surrounding light pollution — improving signal-to-noise and letting more detail come through in less total integration time. This was captured in about 75 minutes from my backyard in New Jersey (Bortle ~4–5), with the moon up — a good example of what’s still possible under less-than-ideal conditions with the right target and filter choice.

7 indexed source files / 107.4 MB + 8.7 MB details

FIT / 78.1 MBMD / 1.2 KBPNG / 29.3 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Date 2026-05-06Emission Nebula / Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 5.2h312 frames5.2h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104344 x 2550

312m

Progression: 2 of 4 M8 M20 M21 Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 90' x 40' / 28' / 13' apparent

FITS object: M 20

Calendar date: 2026-05-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-27T06:52:13.285254 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 184.7 MB

FIT / 126.8 MBPNG / 58.0 MB

Subject

Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

M16 M17 2 results

Duration progression

Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

23h 2 results

Panorama / Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Date 2026-06-13Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens / Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 23h approximate1 frameFilter mixed2321 x 7454

10h HA13h SII Approximate total

Progression: 2 of 2 NGC6604 M16 M17 Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17 NGC6604

Catalog distance: 1.696 kpc / 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 9.6' / 7' / 11' apparent

Calendar date: 2026-06-13 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-13T15:06:43 DATE

11 indexed source files / 279.4 MB + 308.5 MB details

FIT / 198.0 MBMD / 689 BPNG / 81.4 MB

Panorama / Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Date 2026-05-31Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens / Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 23h approximate7329 frames82.5h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3107454 x 2321

10h HA13h SII Approximate total

Progression: 1 of 2 NGC6604 M16 M17 Nest Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Swan Nebula

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17 NGC6604

Catalog distance: 1.696 kpc / 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 9.6' / 7' / 11' apparent

FITS object: M 16 and M 17

Calendar date: 2026-05-31 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T09:01:40.102592 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 280.6 MB

FIT / 198.0 MBPNG / 82.6 MB

Subject

Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

M20 M21 2 results

Duration progression

Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

1.25h 2 results

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Date 2026-04-25Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 1.25h151 frames1.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11253 x 1711

75m

Progression: 1 of 2 M20 M21 Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 28' / 13' apparent

FITS object: M 20

Calendar date: 2026-04-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-24T06:52:19.722826 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 35.2 MB

FIT / 24.5 MBPNG / 10.7 MB

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Date 2026-04-25Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 1.25h151 frames1.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11253 x 1711

75m

Progression: 2 of 2 M20 M21 Trifid Nebula, Webbs Cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 28' / 13' apparent

FITS object: M 20

Calendar date: 2026-04-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-24T06:52:19.722826 DATE-OBS

Companion notes

Trifid Nebula and Webb’s Cross

Not all patterns in the night sky come from the same place.

The Trifid Nebula is shaped by physics; a complex region where gas and dust interact, forming new stars while being carved apart by radiation.

The glowing red comes from hydrogen gas, the blue from reflected starlight, and the dark lanes are dense dust cutting through the center, giving it its distinctive “three-lobed” appearance.

Nearby, Webb’s Cross is something entirely different; a simple alignment of stars that just happens to form a recognizable pattern from our point of view.

One is a real physical structure evolving over millions of years. The other is a coincidence of perspective… a reminder that not everything we see in the sky is actually connected.

Captured from my backyard in New Jersey (Bortle 5).

Capture Details:

Seestar S50
Optolong L-eXtreme

3 indexed source files / 35.0 MB

FIT / 24.5 MBMD / 882 BPNG / 10.5 MB

Subject

Lagoon Nebula

M8 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Lagoon Nebula

Date 2026-06-19Emission NebulaConstellation SagittariusParsed 4.5h approximate402 framesFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103612 x 2583

3h HA90m SII Approximate total

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M8

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc 90' x 40' apparent

FITS object: M 8

Calendar date: 2026-06-19 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-08T06:52:23.340827 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 153.0 MB

FIT / 106.8 MBPNG / 46.2 MB

Subject

Lagoon nebula, Trifid nebula, webbs cross

M8 M20 M21 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Lagoon nebula, Trifid nebula, webbs cross

Date 2026-06-21Emission Nebula / Dark Nebula / Open ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 24h approximate2117 frames17.6h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3106376 x 3587

12h HA12h SV Approximate total

Progression: 4 of 4 M8 M20 M21 Lagoon nebula, Trifid nebula, webbs cross

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21

Catalog distance: 1.594 kpc / 1.303 kpc 90' x 40' / 28' / 13' apparent

FITS object: IC 1284

Calendar date: 2026-06-21 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-19T07:24:50.197327 DATE-OBS

6 indexed source files / 368.5 MB + 111.0 MB details

FIT / 261.7 MBPNG / 106.8 MB

Subject

Messier 26 (M26)

M26 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Messier 26 (M26)

Date 2026-07-25Open ClusterConstellation ScutumParsed 10m20 frames10m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11372 x 1372

10m

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M26

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 15' apparent

FITS object: M 26

Calendar date: 2026-07-25 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-25T05:40:41.532710 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 30.8 MB

FIT / 21.6 MBPNG / 9.2 MB

Subject

Nest Eagle Swan

M16 M17 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Nest Eagle Swan

Date 2026-06-09Emission NebulaConstellation Serpens / Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 23h approximate7329 frames82.5h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3107454 x 2321

10h HA13h SII Approximate total

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M16 M17 NGC6604

Catalog distance: 1.696 kpc / 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc 9.6' / 7' / 11' apparent

FITS object: M 16 and M 17

Calendar date: 2026-06-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T09:01:40.102592 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 209.2 MB

FIT / 198.0 MBJPG / 11.2 MB

Subject

Nest Nebula, Eagle nebula, Swan nebula, Sagittarius Star Cloud, Webbs Cross, Trifid Nebula, Lagoon Nebula

M8 M16 M17 M20 M21 M24 1 result

Panorama / Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Nest Nebula, Eagle nebula, Swan nebula, Sagittarius Star Cloud, Webbs Cross, Trifid Nebula, Lagoon Nebula

Date 2026-06-09Emission Nebula / Asterism / Open Cluster / Dark NebulaConstellation Serpens / Serpens Cauda / SagittariusParsed 15h1611 frames13.4h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b125616 x 4691

15h

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M20 M8 M21 M24 M16 M17 NGC6604

Catalog distance: 1.696 kpc / 2.146 kpc / 1.533 kpc / 3.066 kpc / 1.303 kpc / 1.594 kpc 9.6' / 7' / 11' / 90' / 13' / 28' / 90' x 40' apparent

FITS object: IC 1284

Calendar date: 2026-06-09 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-07T05:21:33.335368 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 1.4 GB

FIT / 1.3 GBJPG / 88.8 MB

Subject

Sagittarius Cluster

M22 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Sagittarius Cluster

Date 2026-07-12Globular ClusterConstellation SagittariusParsed 41m83 frames42m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11606 x 2784

41m

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M22

Catalog distance: 3.189 kpc 24' apparent

FITS object: M 22

Calendar date: 2026-07-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-12T04:04:53.163321 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 73.5 MB

FIT / 51.2 MBPNG / 22.4 MB

Subject

Swan / Omega Nebula

M16 M17 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Swan / Omega Nebula

Date 2026-06-27Emission NebulaConstellation SagittariusParsed 17h approximate6180 frames51.5h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b13236 x 2427

7h HA10h SII Approximate total

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M17

Catalog distance: 1.533 kpc 11' apparent

FITS object: M 16

Calendar date: 2026-06-27 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-14T09:01:41.366031 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 124.0 MB + 62.9 MB details

FIT / 89.9 MBPNG / 34.1 MB

Subject

Wild Duck Cluster

M11 1 result

Sagittarius/Serpens Border

Wild Duck Cluster

Date 2026-07-12Open ClusterConstellation ScutumParsed 5m10 frames5m integrationFilter IRCUTS50_85b661b11544 x 2660

5m

Neighborhood: Sagittarius/Serpens Border M11

Catalog distance: 1.84 kpc 14' apparent

FITS object: M 11

Calendar date: 2026-07-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-07-12T05:50:28.574885 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 67.4 MB

FIT / 47.0 MBPNG / 20.4 MB

Neighborhood

stowe captures

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

stowe captures

1 result

stowe captures

Date 2026-04-284000 x 2250

Calendar date: 2026-04-28 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-28T19:42:14.211Z file date

2 indexed source files / 119.8 MB

PNG / 11.2 MBPPTX / 108.6 MB

Neighborhood

Sunflower Galaxy

M63 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Sunflower Galaxy

M63 1 result

Sunflower Galaxy

Date 2026-07-10GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 3.5h413 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b11239 x 1239

3.5h

Neighborhood: N046 M63

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 10' x 6' apparent

FITS object: M 63

Calendar date: 2026-07-10 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-09T05:31:14.310202 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 24.7 MB

FIT / 17.6 MBPNG / 7.1 MB

Neighborhood

Thor's Helmet Nebula

1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Thor's Helmet Nebula

1 result

Thor's Helmet Nebula

Date 2026-03-11Emission NebulaConstellation Canis Major940 frames4.6h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11446 x 897

Neighborhood: N024 NGC2359

FITS object: NGC 2359 Thors helmet

Calendar date: 2026-03-11 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-02T23:33:17.585642 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 21.2 MB

FIT / 14.9 MBPNG / 6.3 MB

Neighborhood

Triangulum Galaxy

M33 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Triangulum Galaxy

M33 1 result

Triangulum Galaxy

Date 2026-07-10GalaxyConstellation TriangulumParsed 3h384 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b12730 x 1452

3h

Neighborhood: Triangulum Galaxy M33

Catalog distance: 919.804 kpc 73' x 45' apparent

FITS object: M 33

Calendar date: 2026-07-10 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-06-06T07:33:08.062981 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 65.3 MB

FIT / 45.4 MBPNG / 19.9 MB

Neighborhood

Vacuum Cleaner Galaxy

M109 1 subject 1 result Open region

Subject

Vacuum Cleaner Galaxy

M109 1 result

Vacuum Cleaner Galaxy

Date 2026-06-18GalaxyConstellation Ursa MajorParsed 1.1h136 frames1.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11439 x 2203

66m

Neighborhood: N042 M109

Catalog distance: 16,863.077 kpc 7' x 4' apparent

FITS object: M 109

Calendar date: 2026-06-18 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-10T02:04:49.727521 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 51.3 MB + 3.4 MB details

FIT / 36.3 MBPNG / 15.0 MB

Neighborhood

Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop

1 subject 2 results Open region

Subject

Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop

2 results

Duration progression

Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop

2.38h to 7h 2 results

Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop

Date 2026-04-12Supernova RemnantConstellation CygnusParsed 2.38h286 frames2.4h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3103713 x 3713

143m

Progression: 1 of 2 NGC6960 Veil Supernova Remnant

Neighborhood: Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop NGC6960

FITS object: NGC 6960

Calendar date: 2026-04-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-12T06:31:49.124634 DATE-OBS

3 indexed source files / 228.0 MB + 18.1 MB details

FIT / 157.8 MBPNG / 70.2 MB

Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop

Date 2026-06-12Supernova RemnantConstellation CygnusParsed 7h408 frames6.8h integrationFilter mixedS30 Pro_82d6b3104287 x 4474

7h

Progression: 2 of 2 NGC6960 Veil Supernova Remnant

Neighborhood: Veil Nebula / Cygnus Loop NGC6960

FITS object: NGC 6960

Calendar date: 2026-06-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-09T07:49:29.021055 DATE-OBS

3 indexed source files / 316.6 MB

FIT / 219.5 MBMD / 705 BPNG / 97.0 MB

Neighborhood

Whirlpool Galaxy

M51 1 subject 5 results Open region

Subject

Whirlpool Galaxy

M51 5 results

Duration progression

Whirlpool Galaxy

4.52h to 26h 4 results

Whirlpool Galaxy

Date 2026-07-12GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 18h3861 framesFilter mixedS50_85b661b12231 x 2975

18h

Neighborhood: N046 M51

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 11' x 7' apparent

FITS object: M 51

Calendar date: 2026-07-12 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-07T04:00:32.640075 DATE-OBS

4 indexed source files / 106.3 MB + 13.9 MB details

FIT / 76.0 MBPNG / 30.3 MB

Whirlpool Galaxy

Date 2026-06-01GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 26h3164 frames26.4h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11270 x 2053

26h

Progression: 4 of 4 M51 whirlpool

Neighborhood: N046 M51

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 11' x 7' apparent

FITS object: M 51

Calendar date: 2026-06-01 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-04-07T04:00:32.640075 DATE-OBS

5 indexed source files / 43.2 MB + 3.0 MB details

FIT / 29.9 MBMD / 507 BPNG / 13.4 MB

Whirlpool Galaxy

Date 2026-04-06GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 6.43h1161 frames19.4h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11018 x 1865

386m

Progression: 3 of 4 M51 whirlpool

Neighborhood: N046 M51

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 11' x 7' apparent

FITS object: M 51

Calendar date: 2026-04-06 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-03-01T06:01:28.794339 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 31.7 MB

FIT / 21.7 MBPNG / 10.0 MB

Whirlpool Galaxy

Date 2026-04-07GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 6.33h1176 frames3.3h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11137 x 1891

380m

Progression: 2 of 4 M51 whirlpool

Neighborhood: N046 M51

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 11' x 7' apparent

FITS object: M 51 whirlpool

Calendar date: 2026-04-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-09T07:01:25.445443 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 35.6 MB

FIT / 24.6 MBPNG / 11.0 MB

Whirlpool Galaxy

Date 2026-04-07GalaxyConstellation Canes VenaticiParsed 4.52h1470 frames4.1h integrationFilter mixedS50_85b661b11623 x 841

271m

Progression: 1 of 4 M51 whirlpool

Neighborhood: N046 M51

Catalog distance: 11,344.252 kpc 11' x 7' apparent

FITS object: M 51 whirlpool

Calendar date: 2026-04-07 File modified date

Inferred timestamp: 2026-02-09T07:00:50.805585 DATE-OBS

2 indexed source files / 22.8 MB

FIT / 15.6 MBPNG / 7.2 MB

2026 Astro- photography

Astrophotography Stories

Latest results

Browse by date

129 captures in the last year

July 2026

June 2026

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Astro Explorer

Birds of a Feather Wide Field Sagittarius Arm

Birds of a Feather Wide Field Sagittarius Arm

Cygnus wide field

Cygnus wide field

IC434 M42 M43 Horsehead Nebula Orion Nebula 20 hours

IC434 M42 M43 Horsehead Nebula Orion Nebula 20 hours

M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 Markarians Chain 8 hours

M58 M59 M60 M84 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90 M91 M98 M99 M100 Markarians Chain 8 hours

Andromeda Frame

Andromeda Galaxy

Andromeda Galaxy

Andromeda Galaxy

Andromeda Galaxy

Andromeda Galaxy

Angelfish Cluster

Angelfish Cluster

Angelfish Cluster

Beehive Cluster

Beehive Cluster

Beehive Cluster

Black Eye Galaxy

Black Eye Galaxy

Black Eye Galaxy

Bode's Region

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

bodes Galaxy, cigar Galaxy

Broader Sadr Region

North America Nebula

North America Nebula

North America Nebula

North America Nebula

North America Nebula

North America Nebula

Tulip Nebula

Tulip Nebula

Tulip Nebula

Tulip Nebula

Butterfly Nebula Cooling Tower Cluster

Butterfly Nebula Cooling Tower Cluster

Crescent Nebula

Crescent Nebula

North America Nebula, Clamshell Nebula, Pelican Nebula

North America Nebula, Clamshell Nebula, Pelican Nebula

North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Clamshell Nebula

North America Nebula, Pelican Nebula, Clamshell Nebula

Pyramid Cluster

Pyramid Cluster

Sadr Region / Gamma Cygni Nebula

Sadr Region / Gamma Cygni Nebula

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Tulip Nebula, Crescent Nebula, Sadr Region

Cepheus Reflection

Iris Nebula

Iris Nebula

Cepheus Region

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Elephant's Trunk Nebula

Lobster Claw

Lobster Claw

Lobster Claw