Total Lunar Eclipse - September 7, 2025

 

Yesterday’s total lunar eclipse gave us a breathtaking spectacle, where the Earth covered the sunlightand dressed the Moon in its deep red cloak, offering us a unique moment of connection with the vast and mysterious universe around us.

M27 The Dumbbell Nebula

 

The End of a Star's Life M27 Nebula - A Cosmic Dumbbell

The M27 nebula, also known as the Dumbbell Nebula, represents one of the most spectacular and brightest planetary nebulae in the night sky.

The characteristic dumbbell shape that gives the nebula its name results from its unique structure.
It is located approximately 1,360 light-years from Earth in the constellation Vulpecula

Hidden at the center of the nebula lies a white dwarf star with a temperature of approximately 85,000 K. This extremely hot star is the remnant of a star that exhausted its nuclear fuel and expelled its outer layers, creating the dazzling spectacle we see today.

The nebula glows with a distinctive green-blue color, which is primarily due to doubly ionized oxygen.
This color, combined with the red regions created by ionized hydrogen, gives the nebula its impressive appearance. Scientists estimate that the M27 nebula formed approximately 9,800-10,000 years ago, based on measurements of its expansion velocity.

The M27 nebula remains one of the most accessible and spectacular targets for amateur astronomers, offering a window into the future of our own Sun, which in about five billion years will follow a similar evolution.

Narrowband data: Kostas Tsekas

Avalon linear fast reverse

Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph

Asi 533 MΜ Pro

ZWO ASI290MM Mini + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope

Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2

Pegasus Astro FocusCube Universal 2

Astrodon Ha 5 nm 120*300sec

Astrodon OIII 3nm 123*300sec

Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data: Aras Teo

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener

Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod

Asi 533 MC Pro

W.O ZS 80 ED

P1 Mars-C IMX 462

FeatherTouch 3'' focuser

Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

Exposure: 151*180sec

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration: 27h 48min

The Trifid Nebula

Starless view 

Original view 

The Trifid Nebula (catalogued as Messier 20 or M20 and as NGC 6514) is an H II region in the north-west of Sagittarius in a star-forming region in the Milky Way's Scutum–Centaurus Arm. It was discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764. Its name means 'three-lobe'. The object is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the relatively dense, reddish-pink portion), a reflection nebula (the mainly NNE blue portion), and a dark nebula (the apparent 'gaps' in the former that cause the trifurcated appearance, also designated Barnard 85). Viewed through a small telescope, the Trifid Nebula is a bright and peculiar object, and is thus a perennial favorite of amateur astronomers.

Luminance data: Kostas Tsekas
Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
Asi 533 MΜ Pro
ZWO ASI290MM Mini + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2
Luminance Baader Ir/cut
Exposure: 190*180sec
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data: Aras Teo
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Exposure: 103*180sec
Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:14h 39min

NGC 4565 Needle Galaxy

 NGC 4565, also known as the Needle Galaxy, was discovered by the astronomer Sir William Herschel on April 6, 1785. Herschel, who also discovered the planet Uranus, first identified this prominent edge-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices. Its bright, narrow appearance earned it the nickname "Needle Galaxy." The galaxy lies approximately 30 to 40 million light-years away from Earth and is a well-studied example of an edge-on spiral galaxy.

Luminance data: Kostas Tsekas

Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
Asi 533 MΜ Pro
ZWO ASI290MM Mini + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2
Luminance Baader Ir/cut
Exposure: 184*180sec
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data: Aras Teo
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Exposure: 106*180sec
Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:14h 30min

Full Moon in ir 850nm

 

An interesting view of the full moon at 850 nm with the ZWO IR 850 filter.

this filter allows the passage of infrared light at 850 nm, which can be useful for cameras sensitive to the infrared spectrum. This helps isolate specific details and features in planetary and lunar objects that are more visible in infrared light.

By using the IR 850nm filter, interference from visible light is reduced, which can improve the contrast and sharpness of images, especially under conditions of atmospheric turbulence or in the presence of ambient lighting.

If you are using a color camera such, you can use it as a monochrome camera with this filter by setting the white balance parameters (WB_R and WB_B) to 50, so that no white balance is applied and you can fully exploit the sensitivity in the infrared spectrum.

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color  with ZWO IR 850
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

NGC 3169 and NGC 3166

NGC 3169 is a spiral galaxy about 75 million light years away in the constellation Sextans. It has the morphological classification SA(s)a pec, which indicates this is a pure, unbarred spiral galaxy with tightly-wound arms and peculiar features.There is an asymmetrical spiral arm and an extended halo around the galaxy.It is a member of the NGC 3166 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Leo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the right edge of the Virgo Supercluster.

NGC 3166 is a lenticular galaxy in the constellation Sextans. The galaxy lies about 65 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 3166 is approximately 105,000 light years across.It was discovered by William Herschel on December 19, 1783.

Luminance data: Kostas Tsekas

Avalon linear fast reverse

Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
Asi 533 MM Pro
ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data: Theodore Arampatzoglou

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:14h 6min

NGC 5033 Galaxy in Canes Venatici

 Στον μικρό αλλά πλούσιο σε όμορφους γαλαξίες αστερισμό των Θηρευτικών Κυνών βρίσκεται ο Γαλαξίας NGC 5033. Οι εκτιμήσεις απόστασης ποικίλλουν από 38 έως 60 εκατομμύρια έτη φωτός από τον Γαλαξία μας. Ο NGC 5033 έχει έναν πολύ φωτεινό πυρήνα και έναν σχετικά αχνό δίσκο.

NGC 5033 is an inclined spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Distance estimates vary from between 38 and 60 million light years from the Milky Way. The galaxy has a very bright nucleus and a relatively faint disk. Significant warping is visible in the southern half of the disk. The galaxy's relatively large angular size and relatively high surface brightness make it an object that can be viewed and imaged by amateur astronomers. The galaxy's location relatively near Earth and its active galactic nucleus make it a commonly studied object for professional astronomers.

Luminance data: Kostas Tsekas
Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
CCD Atik One 6.0
ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope

Exposure: 120*180sec

Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data: Theodore Arampatzoglou
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

Exposure: 94*180sec

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:10h 42min

Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

 

The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major also known as M101
is about twice the diameter of our own galaxy the Milky Way and is thought to contain about 1 trillion stars.

Luminance data:
Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
CCD Atik One 6.0
ZWO ASI290MM Mini + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Luminance Baader
Exposure: 172*180sec

Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Exposure: 106*180sec

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:13h 54min

M106 Galaxy and Friends in Canes Venatici

 

In the small but beautiful galaxy-rich constellation of the Canes Venatici is Messier 106 (M106), also known as NGC 4258. It is a spiral galaxy about 22 to 25 million light-years from Earth. Another galaxy, NGC 4217, is also visible in the field, possibly a companion galaxy to Messier 106.

Luminance data:

Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
CCD Atik One 6.0
ZWO ASI290MM Mini + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Luminance Baader

Exposure: 115*180sec
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

Exposure: 135*180sec
Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total Integration:12h 30min

https://www.astrobin.com/dbcw6j/

M78

 

Luminance data:
Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
CCD Atik One 6.0
ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Luminance Baader
Exposure: 180*120sec

Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Exposure: 180*120sec

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Total integration:12h 

Ghost Nebula

 

A dream target we finally managed to shoot.
Our second try with dual setup and 15h 15min total integration time.
Hope you enjoy it !!!

Luminance data:
Avalon linear fast reverse
Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
CCD Atik One 6.0
ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Luminance Baader
Exposure: 203*180sec
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.

Color data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
W.O ZS 80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Exposure: 153*120sec
Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

The Snake Nebula

 

Luminance data:
Telescope: Askar 107 PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
Mount: Avalon linear fast reverse
Camera: CCD Atik One 6.0
Guide: ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + WO UniGuide 50mm Scope
Filters: Luminance Baader
Process: Pixinsight - Photoshop CS6
Exposure: 36 X 300 sec total : 3 hours
Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia, Greece.
Date: 21/06/2023

Color data:
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Guiding:
W.O ZS80 ED
P1 Mars-C IMX 462
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
Asi 533 MC Pro Color
Exposure: 36 X 300 sec total : 3 hours
Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece
Date: 21/06/2023

Total : 6 hours

The Jellyfish Nebula IC443

 IC 443 (also known as the Jellyfish Nebula and Sharpless 248 (Sh2-248)) is a galactic supernova remnant (SNR) in the constellation Gemini.Its distance is roughly 5,000 light years from Earth.

Location: Stinger of Scorpius Observatory, Filiates, Thesprotia - Greece.

Telescope: William optics star 71 f/4.9
Mount: Avalon linear fast reverse
Camera: CCD Atik One 6.0
Guide: ZWO ASI290MM Mini (mono) + Skywatcher ed80
Filters: Astrodon Ha 5 nm , Astrodon OIII 3nm
Exposure: Ha 39*600sec , OIII 39*600 , total : 13 hours
Process: Pixinsight - Photoshop CS6
Dates: 14/02/2023, 15/02/2023, 18/03/2023

The SH2-124 is an emission nebula located in the constellation of Cygnus, a not popular imaging target, very dim in OIII and SII emissions and in a  rich starfield, so it's a challenge to process.   

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattenerFeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSI
Filters: Ha 5nm Astrodon_S[II] 8nm Baader_O[III] 3nm Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro
Ha:50*10min bin1x1
S[II]:34*15min bin1x1
O[III]:39*15min bin1x1

Total exposure time:26h35min

Whirlpool Galaxy M51 wide field

 A totally new processing with the new tools in Pixinsight like Wbpp and Spcc.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data:
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Guiding:
W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance Red Green Blue (Baader Planetarium)

Lum:132*5min, exposure 660min
Red:38*5min, exposure 190min
Green:35*5min, exposure 170min
Blue:36*5min, exposure 180min
Total exposure 20 hours

Jupiter 55 min rotation

 

Jupiter with GRS

 

Imaging Telescope: Meade LX90 UHTC 8" OTA

Imaging Camera: Player One Mars-C

Mounts: Meade LX90

Filters: Baader UV/IR cut 1.25"

Accessories: Tele Vue 2.5x 1.25" Powermate (PMT-2513)

Software: Emil Kraaikamp AutoStakkert! · Grischa Hahn WinJUPOS · Lucien AstroSurface

Via Lactea Observatory, Paramithia, Epirus, Greece

Sculptor Galaxy

 

The Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor. The Sculptor Galaxy is a starburst galaxy, which means that it is currently undergoing a period of intense star formation.A weighted average of the most reliable distance estimates gives a distance of 11.4 ± 0.7 Mly

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data

Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod

Guiding:

W.O ZS80 ED

Meade DSI

Imaging:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener

FeatherTouch 3'' focuser

Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: LRGB (Baader Planetarium)

Lum:180*4min  Red:62*2min Green:60*2 Blue:80*2 

Total exposure:18h 44min

NGC 1333

 

Πρώτο φως από το NGC1333.
Λόγω των άσχημων καιρικών συνθηκών που επικρατούν τους τελευταίους μήνες κατάφερα να συλλέξω μόνο 7 ώρες αν και η αρχική μου πρόθεση ήταν για τουλάχιστον 12 με 14 ώρες.Ελπίζω του χρόνου να καταφέρω να το ολοκληρώσω.
Το NGC1333 είναι ένα νεφέλωμα αντανάκλασης ,βρίσκεται στον αστερισμό του Περσέα και απέχει περίπου 960 έτη φωτός.
Οι φωτεινές περιοχές του νεφελώματος αποτελούνται από πίδακες καυτής σκόνης και λαμπρών αερίων που φωτίζονται από πρόσφατα σχηματισμένα άστρα.
Στην πραγματικότητα το NGC1333 περιέχει εκατοντάδες άστρα ηλικίας μικρότερης του 1 εκατομμυρίου ετών, που τα περισσότερα είναι κρυμμένα από τα οπτικά μας τηλεσκόπια λόγω της υπέρπυκνης σκόνης.
Αυτό το χαοτικό περιβάλλον ίσως είναι παρόμοιο με αυτό που δημιουργήθηκε ο δικός μας ήλιος πριν από 4,5 δισεκατομμύρια χρόνια!!!

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener

FeatherTouch 3'' focuser

Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser

W.O ZS80 ED

SBIG ST10XME CFW9

Meade DSIFilters: Ha 5nm Astrodon__O[III] 3nm Astrodon

Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

LUM:140*3min bin1x1

Total exposure time:7h 

The Tulip Nebula SH2-101

 

Το Νεφέλωμα της Τουλίπας(Sharpless 101) είναι νεφέλωμα εκπομπής στον αστερισμό του Κύκνου. Απέχει περίπου 6,000 έτη φωτός από τη Γη και η διάμετρός του υπολογίζεται στα 70 έτη φωτός.

Στο δεξί κάτω άκρο της φωτογραφίας ακριβώς κάτω από το αχνό τόξο που σχηματίζεται, έχει καταγραφεί η περιοχή που βρίσκεται η πρώτη υποψήφια Μαύρη Τρύπα Cygnus X-1 και μια από τις ισχυρότερες πηγές ακτίνων Χ του γαλαξία μας.

The Tulip Nebula (Sharpless 101) is an emission nebula located in Cygnus constellation. It lies at an approximate distance of 6,000 light years from Earth. It occupies an area of 16 x 9 arc minutes of apparent sky and has a linear diameter of about 70 light years

The Tulip Nebula is located in the same region of the sky as the microquasar Cygnus X-1, the first galactic X-ray source widely believed to be a black hole. Cygnus X-1 consists of a star, HD 226868, and a very small high-mass object. The two orbit around each other with a period of 5.6 days. The object was one of the first ever candidates for a black hole.

A new project begins...I hope to finish next year the other 2 narrowband filters

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSIFilters: Ha 5nm Astrodon__O[III] 3nm Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro
Ha:119*3min bin1x1

Total exposure time:5h 57min

The Wizard Nebula

The Wizard Nebula is an emission nebula that surrounds the open star cluster NGC 7380 in the constellation Cepheus. The nebula is known for its unique shape, resembling the appearance of a medieval sorcerer. The active star forming region lies at a distance of 7,200 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 7.2. It has a radius of 100 light years and occupies 25 arc minutes of the apparent sky. It has the designation Sh2-142 in the Sharpless catalog of H II regions.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSIFilters: Ha 5nm Astrodon__O[III] 3nm Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Ha_OIII_OIII modified palette: Ha_(OIII+0.4Ha)_OIII

Ha:71*10min bin1x1
O[III]:72*10min bin1x1
Total exposure time:23h 50min

i totally reprocessed my previous published image of Wizard Nebula,hope you like it...

Whirlpool Galaxy M51

The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a, M51a, and NGC 5194, is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus.It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy. Its distance is estimated to be 23 million light-years away from Earth.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Guiding:
W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance Red Green Blue (Baader Planetarium)
Lum:132*5min, exposure 660min

Red:38*5min, exposure 190min

Green:35*5min, exposure 170min

Blue:36*5min, exposure 180min

Total exposure 20 hours

Whirlpool galaxy M51

An early version of M51,waiting for clear skies to add color.

Luminance only,this is a work in progress.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Guiding:
W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance (Baader Planetarium)
Lum:132*5min total exposure 11h

Sculptor Galaxy

The Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor. The Sculptor Galaxy is a starburst galaxy, which means that it is currently undergoing a period of intense star formation.A weighted average of the most reliable distance estimates gives a distance of 11.4 ± 0.7 Mly

Luminance only,this is a work in progress.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Guiding:
W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance (Baader Planetarium)
Lum:180*4min  total exposure 12h

NGC 6951 with IFN

NGC 6951 with IFN
Luminance only,this is a work in progress.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod
Imaging:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance (Baader Planetarium)
Lum:49*7min  total exposure 5h 43min

NGC 6822 Barnard's Galaxy

NGC 6822 (also known as Barnard's Galaxy, IC 4895, or Caldwell 57) is a barred irregular galaxy approximately 1.6 million light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. Part of the Local Group of galaxies, it was discovered by E. E. Barnard in 1884. It is one of the closer galaxies to the Milky Way. It is similar in structure and composition to the Small Magellanic Cloud. It is about 7,000 light-years in diameter.The galaxy contains regions of rich star formation and curious nebulae, such as the bubble visible in this image. Astronomers classify NGC 6822 as an irregular dwarf galaxy because of its odd shape and relatively diminutive size by galactic standards. The strange shapes of these cosmic misfits help researchers understand how galaxies interact, evolve and occasionally "cannibalise" each other, leaving behind radiant, star-filled scraps.

At only about a tenth of the Milky Way's size, Barnard’s Galaxy fits contains about 10 million stars — a far cry from the Milky Way’s estimated 400 billion.

Ο NGC 6822 ή Γαλαξίας του Μπάρναρντ, είναι ακανόνιστος γαλαξίας που βρίσκεται περίπου 1,6 εκατομμύριο έτη φωτός μακριά, στον αστερισμό Τοξότη. Είναι μέλος της Τοπικής ομάδας γαλαξιών και ανακαλύφθηκε από τον Αμερικανό αστρονόμο E.E. Μπάρναρντ το 1884. Είναι ένας από τους κοντινότερους γαλαξίες, παρόμοιος σε δομή και σύσταση με το Μικρό Νέφος του Μαγγελάνου. Οι διαστάσεις του είναι περίπου 7000 έτη φωτός.

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

Instruments and exposure data
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Belt Drive Mod

Imaging:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 Filters: Luminance Red Green Blue  (Baader Planetarium)

Lum    :23*8min 39*7min 1*10min -10C bin 1x1 total: 7h 47min

Red     :21*8min -10C bin 1x1 total: 2h 48min

Green:26*6min -10C bin1x1 total: 2h 36min

Blue    :27*5min  -10C bin1x1 total: 2h 15min

Darks 50 Bias 350 Flats 25

Guiding:

W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI

Total exposure time:15h 26min  6 nights  Jul 3,8 Aug 2,6,24,27  

A more stretched luminance channel with IFN clearly visible...i suppose

M33 animated

This is an experimental animated project of M33 from a single image

https://www.astrobin.com/124560/C/?nc=collection&nce=1278

The gif file is quite large so please be patient!!!

SH2 108 Hubble Palette

playing with starless sh2-108 i ended up to this version

Sh2 108 a close view in Hubble Palette (SHO)
SII as Red
Ha as Green
OIII as Blue

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon, 3nm OIII Astrodon, 8nm SII Baader
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

SII  :25*10min bin 1x1

Ha  :11*10min bin1x1

OIII:25*10min bin 1x1

Total exposure time:10h 10min

Location: Via Lactea Observatory, Kristallopigi Paramithia, Greece

SH2 108

SH2 108 a close view
The Sadr region, IC 1318, is the busy neighborhood round the mag 2.2 star Sadr or gamma Cygni. It is a large expanse of nebulosity with dominant Ha emission nebulae and various dark nebulae.
We are looking deep into the Orion Arm of our Galaxy in this direction and the nebula is more than 3000 light years from us.

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Ha:11*10min bin1x1
Total exposure time:1h 50min

Propeller Nebula a more stretched version

Via Lactea Observatory

Via Lactea Observatory

Via Lactea Observatory

View SW

Via Lactea Observatory

View of the interior

Via Lactea Observatory

Almost 18 years ago,i embarked on a very special, difficult and demanding journey in the world of astronomy and especially in astrophotography.
Through the light pollution of Athens, the whole venture seemed almost impossible.

Watching the first shadows of nebulae and galaxies appearing on the computer screen, the pictures of planets with their moons floating into space and the spectacular formations of craters and canyons of our moon, i realized that this is was makes me feel complete, that this is what I love doing.
After long hours of studying and investing a lot of time and money, i believe that i have managed to have a decent course in the field of astrophotography. The only problem that was holding me behind was the lack of a permanent observatory.

Completely by chance i had the opportunity to meet two lovely people , Kostas and Spyros Tsekas. Without their voluntary offer, i would have never managed to full fill my dream and have my own observatory today.I would also like to thank all my friends, relatives and fellow villagers that helped me complete the observatory.
And of course I would like to thank my wife Alice that without her encouragement and understanding I wouldn't even have dreamed of turning my dream into reality.

The Observatory is located in Kristallopigi Paramithias in Thesprotia , where I have settled permanently with my family the last two years. The purpose of the observatory is the dissemination of amateur astronomy in the province of Epirus, through seminars and night sky watching.

Good luck to all with clear skies

The Propeller Nebula in Cygnus_ Simeis 57

This is the first image taken from Via Lactea Observatory, my own observatory.
Photos of Via lactea Observatory will be published soon.

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:38*10min bin1x1
Total exposure time:6h 20min

Gum 85 & 84 and Sharpless 54

The bright "egg" in this image is nebula Gum 85 in Serpens; surrounding it is Gum 84 and surrounding that is Sharpless 54.Sharpless 54 is a larger object as described in the catalog as a 140 arc minutes which extends well beyond this field.This area of sky is located just north of M16, the Eagle Nebula.

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:35*10min bin1x1
Total exposure time:5h 50min

Messier 106

Messier 106 (also known as NGC 4258) is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. M106 is at a distance of about 22 to 25 million light-years away from Earth. It is also a Seyfert II galaxy. Due to x-rays and unusual emission lines detected, it is suspected that part of the galaxy is falling into a supermassive black hole in the center. NGC 4217 is a possible companion galaxy of Messier 106. A Type II supernova was observed in this galaxy in May 2014.

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: Luminance Baader
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:130*6min bin1x1
Total exposure time:18h

Helix Nebula_NGC 7293_Ha 5nm

The Helix Nebula, also known as The Helix, NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae.The estimated distance is about 215 parsecs (700 light-years). It is similar in appearance to the Cat's Eye Nebula and the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle.
*from Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia 


Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9 W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:108*10min bin1x1 Data from 2012 and 2015
Total exposure time:18h

Emission Nebula NGC6820 with Open Cluster NGC6823

NGC 6820 is an emission nebula that surrounds open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula, near M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. The nebula NGC 6820 is also called Sharpless catalog Sh 2-86.

The most striking feature is the trunk-like pillar of dust and gas protruding from the east side of the nebula towards the open cluster, NGC 6823 in the west. The center of the open cluster is about two million years old and is predominantly represented by many young, bright blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster intimately involving pillars of emission nebula NGC 6820, contain even younger stars. The huge pillars of gas and dust are probably formed when surrounding gas and dust is pushed and eroded away by radiation from nearby stars. Remarkable dark globules of gas and dust are also visible in the nebula, much as is seen in the better known Eagle Nebula in Serpens or the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius.
Open star cluster NGC 6823 is about 50 light years across and lies about 6000 light years away
*From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Instruments and exposure data:

W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
SBIG ST10XME CFW9

W.O ZS80 ED
Meade DSI
Filters: 5nm Hα Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:39*10min bin1x1
Total exposure time:6h 30min

Location: Vironas,Athens Greece

Waning Cresent Moon

Waning Cresent Moon
22,72 Days old _29 May 2016

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSI
Filters: Ha 5nm Astrodon _OII 3nm Astrodon _ SII Baader
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

M63 Sunflower Galaxy

M63 was discovered by Pierre Méchain on June 14, 1779.[4] The galaxy was then listed by Charles Messier as object 63 in the Messier Catalogue.

In the mid-19th century, Lord Rosse identified spiral structures within the galaxy, making this one of the first galaxies in which such structure was identified.[4]

In 1971, a supernova with a magnitude of 11.8 appeared in one of the arms of M63.

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSI
Filters: Lum Baader
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

Lum:51*7min bin1x1
Total exposure time:6h

Location: Vironas,Athens Greece

After a storm

After the storm, approaching the mainland with an ATR72

Aegean Sea : storming clouds

Flying over the Aegean Sea, with an ATR 72, above a major storm.

IC 1795 SHO

IC 1795 is an emission nebula located about 6,000 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia.
The dominant central star of IC 1795 is a blue dwarf on the main sequence. In addition there are three other stars of class O and B with ages between 3 and 5 million years. This being an age intermediate to the 6 to 20 million years of the shell structure that encloses the complex. The region is one of the sites most studied (besides Orion) for the formation of massive stars. This area is more dense and rich in H II. It is home to, and hides, a group of young blue stars, with their radiation ionizing the residual gas clouds. (WIKI).

Instruments and exposure data:
W.O FLT110 with dedicated TMB field flattener
FeatherTouch 3'' focuser
Starizona MicroTouch autofocuser
W.O ZS80 ED
SBIG ST10XME CFW9
Meade DSI
Filters: Ha 5nm Astrodon_S[II] 8nm Baader_O[III] 3nm Astrodon
Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro

SII:55*7min bin1x1
Ha:60*7min bin1x1
OIII:51*9min bin1x1
Total exposure time:20h 43min

Location: Vironas,Athens Greece