Sign in

StarCatcher 🇨🇦

@starcatcherjohn.bsky.social
7K followers 8.6K following 466 posts

Exploring the universe through my telescopes. Astrophotographer, foodie, and lover of all animals, often more than humans. #Astrophotography #DeepSpace #Astronomy My images: telescopius.com/profile/jean_legros

PostsRepliesMedia
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🧵(1/2) LDN 1369 is a dark nebula located at the center of the Heart Nebula (IC 1805), also known as the "Wizard's Spire, in the constellation Cassiopeia Taken on 26-09-24 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini8 Exposure: 4:15 hours #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
LDN 1369 is a dark nebula located at the center of the Heart Nebula (IC 1805), also known as the "Wizard's Spire"
12710
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🧵(1/2) Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) The "bubble" is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, young central star. Taken on 26-09-23 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini8 Exposure: 5 hours and 55 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635, Sharpless 162, or Caldwell 11, is an H II region[1] emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. It lies close to the open cluster Messier 52. The "bubble" is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, 8.7[1] magnitude young central star, SAO 20575 (BD+60°2522).[7] The nebula is near a giant molecular cloud which contains the expansion of the bubble nebula while itself being excited by the hot central star, causing it to glow.[7] It was discovered in November 1787 by William Herschel.[5] The star BD+60°2522 is thought to have a mass of about 44 M☉.
17118
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🧵(1/2) Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a concentration of interstellar gas in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away. Taken on 26-09-22 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini8 Exposure: 6 hours and 18 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within the much larger ionized gas region IC 1396 located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.[1] The nebula is a dark, dense globule that gets its name from its appearance at visible light wavelengths, where there is a dark patch with a bright, sinuous rim. The bright rim is the surface of the dense cloud that is being illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive multiple star (HD 206267) that is just to the east of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula . The entire IC 1396 region is ionized by the massive star, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays.[citation needed]


Widefield view of the full IC 1396 nebula
The Elephant's Trunk Nebula is now thought to be a site of star formation, containing several very young (less than 100,000 yr) stars that were discovered in infrared images in 2003. Two older (but still young, a couple of million years, by the standards of stars, which live for billions of years) stars are present in a small, circular cavity in the head of the globule. Winds from these young stars may have emptied the cavity.
1349
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
🧵(1/2) The Flying Bat Nebula (Sh 2-129). Hard target for what is hidden in it "the squid". I could not quite get it out. I need more data. Taken on 26-09-18 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO 2600 Exposure: 2 hours and 15 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Sh 2-129 (also known as the Flying Bat Nebula), is a large emission nebula and H II region located in the constellation Cepheus. It is part of the Cepheus molecular cloud complex and belongs to the Cep OB2 association.[1][2][3][4] Reflection nebula vdB 140 can be seen near Sh 2-129.[5][6]

Within Sh 2-129 lies a bipolar outflow nebula named Ou 4 (also known as Squid Nebula).[7] The central star of Ou4 is believed to be the massive triple star system named HD 202214
1388
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🧵(1/2) NGC 6888 A.K.A. The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 5000 light-years away from Earth. Taken on 26-09-11 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini 8 Exposure: 4 hours and 15 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 5000 light-years away from Earth. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1792.
28318
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
🧵(1/2) NGC 281 A.K.A. the Pacman Nebula, is a bright emission nebula in the constellation of Cassiopeia and is part of the Milky Way's Perseus Spiral Arm Taken on 26-09-06 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini 8 Exposure: 6h 15min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 281, IC 11 or Sh2-184 is a bright emission nebula and part of an H II region in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia and is part of the Milky Way's Perseus Spiral Arm. This 20×30 arcmin sized nebulosity is also associated with open cluster IC 1590, several Bok globules and the multiple star, B 1. It collectively forms Sh2-184,[4] spanning over a larger area of 40 arcmin.[5] A recent distance from radio parallaxes of water masers at 22 GHz made during 2014 is estimated it lies 2.82±0.20 kpc (9200 ly) from us.[6] Colloquially, NGC 281 is also known as the Pacman Nebula for its resemblance to the video game character.[3]

Edward Emerson Barnard discovered the nebula in August 1883, describing it as "a large faint nebula, very diffuse". Multiple star 'B 1' or β 1 was later discovered by S. W. Burnham, whose bright component is identified as the highly luminous O6 spectral class star, HD 5005 or HIP 4121. It consists of an 8th-magnitude primary with four companions at distances between 1.4 and 15.7 arcsec. There has been no appreciable change in this quintuple system since the first measures were made in 1875.

The nebula region is visible in amateur telescopes from dark sky locations. In his book Deep Sky Wonders, Walter Scott Houston describes the appearance of the nebula in small telescopes:[
2378
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🧵(1/2) NGC 7380 NGC 7380, also known as the Wizard Nebula, is a young open star cluster surrounded by an emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Taken on 26-08-28 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini 8 Exposure: 7h 50min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 7380 is a young open cluster of stars in the northern circumpolar constellation of Cepheus, discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as the Wizard Nebula, which spans an angle of 25′. German-born astronomer William Herschel included his sister's discovery in his catalog, and labelled it H VIII.77. The nebula is known as S 142 in the 1959 Sharpless catalog (Sh2-142). It is extremely difficult to observe visually, usually requiring very dark skies and an O-III filter. The NGC 7380 complex is located at a distance of approximately 8.5 kilolight-years from the Sun, in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way.

The cluster spans ~20 light-years (6 pc) with an elongated shape and an extended tail.[2] Age estimates range from 4[2] to 11.9[1] million years. At the center of the cluster lies DH Cephei, a close, double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of two massive O-type stars. This pair are the primary ionizing source for the surrounding H II region, and are driving out the surrounding gas and dust while triggering star formation in the neighboring region.[4] Of the variable stars that have been identified in the cluster, 14 have been identified as pre-main sequence stars while 17 are main sequence stars that are primarily B-type variables.[4]
16014
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
🧵(1/2) I reprocessed my data more carefully and got a better coloration. NGC 7822 is a star-forming emission nebula located 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Taken on 26-08-21 from my backyard #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 7822 is a young star-forming emission nebula located roughly 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Also known as the Question Mark Nebula, it features glowing columns of gas, dark dust lanes, and pillar structures similar to the Pillars of Creation
1256
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
🧵(1/2) NGC 7822 is a young star-forming emission nebula located roughly 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Taken on 26-08-21 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini 8 Exposure: 4h45 #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 7822 is a young star-forming emission nebula located roughly 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Also known as the Question Mark Nebula, it features glowing columns of gas, dark dust lanes, and pillar structures similar to the Pillars of Creation
1498
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
🧵(1/2) The Cocoon Nebula, is a stunning combination of an emission, reflection, and dark nebula located 4,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. Taken on 26-08-15 from my backyard 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini 8 Exposure: 4h05 #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
IC 5146, is a stunning combination of an emission, reflection, and dark nebula located roughly 4,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. Spanning about 15 light-years across, it functions as an active stellar nursery illuminated by a bright, hot young star at its center.
37318
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Solar eclipse happening live.
0145
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
🧵(1/2) IC 1396 is an emission nebulae, located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth. Reprocessed 26-08-01, shot taken on 25-09-19 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Exposure: 3h45 #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Image of The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within the much larger ionized gas region IC 1396 located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.[1] The nebula is a dark, dense globule that gets its name from its appearance at visible light wavelengths, where there is a dark patch with a bright, sinuous rim. The bright rim is the surface of the dense cloud that is being illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive multiple star (HD 206267) that is just to the east of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula . The entire IC 1396 region is ionized by the massive star, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays.
24111
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The image was taken with this rig
2230
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
(1/2) The Bubble Nebula, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The bubble is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, young central star Shot from my backyard 26-07-24 🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini8 EVO Exposure 4h 35 mins #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Bubble Nebula, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The bubble is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, young central star

Shot from my backyard 26-07-24

🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111
📷 QHY Mini8 EVO
Exposure 4h 35 mins

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
4577
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
(1/2)The Veil Nebula, a cloud of heated and ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. A supernova remnant, many parts of which have acquired their own names. Shot from my backyard 26-06-23 🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111 📷 ASI2600 MC Exposure: 25 mins #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Veil Nebula is a massive, expanding cloud of ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. Located about 2,100 light-years away, it is the remnant of a star roughly 20 times more massive than our Sun that exploded as a supernova 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.The entire complex—also known as the Cygnus Loop—spans about 110 light-years across (roughly 3 degrees of the sky). Because of its vast size, observers and astrophotographers typically target specific, intricately woven sections of the nebula.
2347
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Reprocess of my data for The Pinwheel Galaxy from last weekend. More emphasis on the Ha data, in return, see more detail in the core of the galaxy. Shot from my backyard 26-06-08 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 1h35 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years (6.4 megaparsecs)[5] from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781[a] and was communicated that year to Charles Messier, who verified its position for inclusion in the Messier Catalogue as one of its final entries.

On February 28, 2006, NASA and the European Space Agency released a very detailed image of the Pinwheel Galaxy, which was the largest and most detailed image of a galaxy by Hubble Space Telescope at the time.[10] The image was composed of 51 individual exposures, plus some extra ground-based photos.
38215
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
The Pinwheel Galaxy is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. Shot from my backyard 26-06-08 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 1h35 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years (6.4 megaparsecs) from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and was communicated that year to Charles Messier, who verified its position for inclusion in the Messier Catalogue as one of its final entries.

On February 28, 2006, NASA and the European Space Agency released a very detailed image of the Pinwheel Galaxy, which was the largest and most detailed image of a galaxy by Hubble Space Telescope at the time. The image was composed of 51 individual exposures, plus some extra ground-based photos.
3739
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier 51 is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy . It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is 31 million light-years away. Shot from my backyard 26-06-07 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 2h10mi #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a (M51a) or 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.[9] It is 31 million light-years (9.5 megaparsecs/Mpc) away and 23.58 kiloparsecs (76,900 ly) in diameter.

The galaxy and its companion, NGC 5195, are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy has been extensively observed by professional astronomers, who study it and its pair with dwarf galaxy NGC 5195 to understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions. Its pair with NGC 5195 is among the most famous and relatively close interacting systems, and thus is a favorite subject of galaxy interaction models.
2278
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Messier 106 (NGC 4258) is a stunning, bright spiral galaxy located roughly 23.5 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Shot from my backyard 2026-05-22 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 Mount WD-20P 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Exposure: 3h20min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Messier 106 (NGC 4258) is a stunning, bright spiral galaxy located roughly 23.5 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici.

Shot from my backyard
4725
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Tonight didn’t go as planned — I was aiming for a thin crescent moon. Instead, I found Venus shining brilliantly in the sky. Sometimes the best shots are the ones you don’t expect. ✨ Second image = Telescope used, SCT8+ASI2600 MC 75% best of 12 000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Venus #Astronomy
Tonight didn’t go as planned — I was aiming for a thin crescent moon. Instead, I found Venus shining brilliantly in the sky. Sometimes the best shots are the ones you don’t expect. ✨
Second image = Telescope used, SCT8+ASI2600 MC

75% best of 12 000 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #Venus #AstronomyTelescope used, SCT8+ASI2600 MC
2223
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Our Sun, up close ☀️ Captured from my backyard with my telescope—never gets old. Sunspots, texture, and constant motion—all from 150 million km away. Zoom in and check out the details Shot May 9th, 2026 🔭 SCT 8 @ ƒ6.3 📷 ZWO 2600 25% best of 1500 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy
Our Sun, up close ☀️
Captured from my backyard with my telescope—never gets old.
Sunspots, texture, and constant motion—all from 150 million km away.

Shot May 9th, 2026

🔭 SCT 8 @ ƒ6.3
📷 ZWO 2600
25% best of 1500 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy
1414
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Pointed my telescope at the Sun yesterday and caught this. It’s a high‑detail image, meant to be explored. Zoom in—there’s a lot happening on that surface. ☀️ 🔭 SCT 8 📷 ZWO 2600 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy
Pointed my telescope at the Sun yesterday and caught this.
It’s a high‑detail image, meant to be explored.
Zoom in—there’s a lot happening on that surface. ☀️

🔭 SCT 8
📷 ZWO 2600
50% best of 1000 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy
1314
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Pointed my telescope at the Moon tonight and couldn’t stop staring. This is a full‑resolution capture—zoom way in and explore the surface. 🌕 Space is wild. Moon Illumination 87.7% 🔭 SCT 8 📷 ZWO 2600 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy
Pointed my telescope at the Moon tonight and couldn’t stop staring. This is a full‑resolution capture—zoom way in and explore the surface. 🌕
Space is wild.

Moon Illumination 87.7%

🔭 SCT 8
📷 ZWO 2600
50% best of 1000 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy
1242
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
(1/4) Leo’s Triplet, Light from three galaxies—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—finally reached my telescope tonight. What we’re seeing here started its journey long before humans looked up. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Exposure: 4h 10min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Leo’s Triplet, Light from three galaxies—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—finally reached my telescope tonight.
What we’re seeing here started its journey long before humans looked up. 

🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111
📷 QHY MiniCam8
Exposure: 4h 10min

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
1212
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
(1 of 2) Tonight’s target: the Moon🌙. Captured through my telescope—every crater a reminder that space isn’t smooth, quiet, or distant… it’s textured and alive. Shot taken 2026-04-24 🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm) 📷 QHY MiniCam8 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy
Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured April 24, 2026 at 8:33PM — 60.2% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 QHY MiniCam8
50% best of 1000 frames
3345
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Another crack at Jupiter 🔭 Definitely an improvement over my last attempt. Seeing conditions were average. I’m happy with the result for an 8" SCT. Shot from my backyard. 🔭 8" SCT+2x Barlow (4000mm focal length ) 📷 ASI 678MC 10% best of 5000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Jupiter #Astronomy
Another crack at Jupiter 🔭
Definitely an improvement over my last attempt. Seeing conditions were average. I’m happy with the result for an 8" SCT.
 Shot from my backyard.

🔭 8" SCT+2x Barlow (4000mm focal length )
📷 ASI 678MC
10% best of 5000 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #Jupiter #Astronomy
0262
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
First Jupiter shot in a while 🔭 Collimation isn’t quite dialed in yet, but I’m really happy to be back imaging. Shot from my backyard. 🔭 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain+2x (4000mm focal length ) 📷 ASI 678MC 50% best of 4000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Jupiter #Astronomy
First Jupiter shot in a while 🔭
Collimation isn’t quite dialed in yet, but I’m really happy to be back imaging. Shot from my backyard.

🔭 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain+2x (4000mm focal length )
📷 ASI 678MC
50% best of 4000 frames
0262
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
(1 of 2) Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙 Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard. 🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm) 📷 ASI 2660MC 50% best of 2000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy
Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 ASI 2660MC
50% best of 2000 frames
1588
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
(1 of 2) The Cone Nebula A.K.A The Fox Fur (NGC 2264) in Hα/OIII/SII with the RedCat 61mm and QHY MiniCam8—shot from my backyard. Another step in my "imaging in narrow band" journey. 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Total exposure: 3 h 05 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Cone Nebula is an H II region in the constellation of Monoceros. It was discovered by William Herschel on December 26, 1785, at which time he designated it H V.27. The nebula is located about 830 parsecs or 2,700 light-years from Earth. The Cone Nebula forms part of the nebulosity surrounding the Christmas Tree Cluster. The designation of NGC 2264 in the New General Catalogue refers to both objects and not the nebula alone.

Description
The diffuse Cone Nebula, so named because of its apparent shape, lies in the southern part of NGC 2264, the northern part being the magnitude-3.9 Christmas Tree Cluster. It is in the northern part of Monoceros, just north of the midpoint of a line from Procyon to Betelgeuse.

The cone's shape comes from a dark absorption nebula consisting of cold molecular hydrogen and dust in front of a faint emission nebula containing hydrogen ionized by S Monocerotis, the brightest star of NGC 2264. The faint nebula is approximately seven light-years long (with an apparent length of 10 arcminutes), and is 2,700 light-years from Earth.A starless version, revealing the quiet, hidden beauty of the nebula in all its purest detail.
37219
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
(1 of 2) First narrowband attempt! 🌌 Rosette Nebula in Hα/OIII/SII with the RedCat 61mm and QHY MiniCam8—shot from my backyard. A rewarding step in my astro journey. More to come! 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Total exposure: 2 h 25 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 2238 or The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is an H II region located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. The open cluster NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) is closely associated with the nebulosity, the stars of the cluster having been formed from the nebula's matter.

The nebula has a shape reminiscent of a human skull, and is sometimes referred to as the "Skull Nebula". It is not to be confused with NGC 246, which is also nicknamed the "Skull Nebula".
35210
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
(1 of 2) Another night out The Rosette Nebula (NGC 2238), located near a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. Shot from my backyard on 2025-12-27. 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Exposure: 2 h 05 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is an H II region located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. The open cluster NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) is closely associated with the nebulosity, the stars of the cluster having been formed from the nebula's matter.The cluster and nebula lie at a distance of 5,000 light-years from Earth[7] and measure roughly 130 light years in diameter. The radiation from the young stars excites the atoms in the nebula, causing them to emit radiation themselves producing the emission nebula we see. The mass of the nebula is estimated to be around 10,000 solar masses.
25210
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
(1 of 2) Finally, a night out The Flaming Star Nebula and the Tadpole Nebulae are emission and reflection nebulae located in the constellation Auriga. Shot from my backyard on 2025-12-25. 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Exposure: 1 h 10 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Bottom object in the image: 
IC 405 (also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is an emission and reflection nebula[1] in the constellation Auriga north of the celestial equator, surrounding the bluish, irregular variable star AE Aurigae. It shines at magnitude +6.0. Its celestial coordinates are RA 05h 16.2m dec +34° 28′.[2] It is located near the emission nebula IC 410, the open clusters M38 and M36, and the K-class star Iota Aurigae.

The nebula measures approximately 37.0' x 19.0', and lies about 1,500 light-years away from Earth.[2] It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the Orion's Belt area.[2] The nebula is about 5 light-years across.The Tadpole Nebula (IC 410) is a vibrant star-forming region in the constellation Auriga, about 12,000 light-years away, famous for its tadpole-shaped clouds of gas and dust sculpted by stellar winds from hot, young stars in the central cluster NGC 1893, resembling celestial tadpoles "swimming" to form new stars, similar to the Pillars of Creation. These dense "tadpole heads" point away from the central cluster, their tails shaped by intense radiation, making it a popular target for astrophotographers.
3538
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
🧵(1/2) Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon.I reprocessed my data to extract more of the tail. It's slightly better. Shot taken on 2025-10-11 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 31 x 30s (15m30s) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Comet #Astronomy
C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is a non-periodic comet discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in images obtained on 3 January 2025. It has an inbound orbital period of about 1,350 years and will pass perihelion on 8 November 2025 when it will be 0.53 AU (79 million km; 49 million mi) from the Sun. This perihelion passage will reduce the orbital period to about 1,150 years. It makes its closest approach to Earth on 21 October 2025 and may be visible to the naked eye 42 degrees from the Sun after sunset. As of 24 October 2025, the comet is about apparent magnitude 4.2,[3] and the nucleus and coma are visible in binoculars about 12 degrees above Arcturus and near the magnitude 2.5 star Izar. (The handle of the Big Dipper points towards Arcturus.) Both Arcturus and the comet may be visible in the same field of view using low power binoculars such as 7x35s.
210012
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
The Pleiades (M45) AKA the Seven Sisters, in the northwest constellation Taurus. It is also the inspiration for the Subaru logo. Shot taken on 2025-10-11 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 45 x 120s (1h30) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Pleiades also known as Seven Sisters and Messier 45 (M45), is an asterism of an open star cluster containing young B-type stars in the northwest of the constellation Taurus. At a distance of about 444 light-years, it is among the nearest star clusters to Earth and the nearest Messier object to Earth, being the most obvious star cluster to the naked eye in the night sky. It contains the reflection nebulae NGC 1432, an HII region, and NGC 1435, known as the Merope Nebula. Around 2330 BC the Pleiades marked the vernal point. Due to the brightness of its stars, the Pleiades is viewable from most areas on Earth, even in locations with significant light pollution.

The cluster is dominated by hot blue luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Reflection nebulae around the brightest stars were once thought to be leftover material from their formation, but are now considered likely to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium through which the stars are currently passing. This dust cloud is estimated to be moving at a speed of approximately 18 km/s relative to the stars in the cluster.

Computer simulations have shown that the Pleiades were probably formed from a compact configuration that once resembled the Orion Nebula. Astronomers estimate that the cluster will survive for approximately another 250 million years, after which the clustering will be lost due to gravitational interactions with the galactic neighbourhood.

Together with the open star cluster of the Hyades, the Pleiades form the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic. The Pleiades have been said to "resemble a tiny dipper," and should not be confused with the "Little Dipper," or Ursa Minor.
414519
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
🧵(1/2) Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon is a non-periodic comet discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey on 3 January 2025. Shot taken on 2025-10-11 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 31 x 30s (15m30s) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Comet #Astronomy
C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is a non-periodic comet discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in images obtained on 3 January 2025. It has an inbound orbital period of about 1,350 years and will pass perihelion on 8 November 2025 when it will be 0.53 AU (79 million km; 49 million mi) from the Sun. This perihelion passage will reduce the orbital period to about 1,150 years. It makes its closest approach to Earth on 21 October 2025 and may be visible to the naked eye 42 degrees from the Sun after sunset. As of 12 October 2025, the comet is about apparent magnitude 5.6,[6] and is visible in binoculars about 15 degrees (approximately one and a half fists) below the cup of the Big Dipper. It is currently about 2 degrees southwest of the star Psi Ursae Majoris.
27515
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
🧵(1/2) NGC 7822 is a star-forming emission nebula located in the constellation Cepheus, ~3,000 light-years from Earth. Shot taken on 2025-10-05 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Total exposure: 13 x 600s (2h10) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 7822 is a star-forming emission nebula and the "Cosmic Question Mark" nebula located in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth. It's a vibrant region containing the Sharpless 171 emission region and the young Berkeley 59 star cluster, illuminated by hot, young stars that ionize the surrounding gas and dust, forming intricate structures.  
Key Features
Location: Constellation Cepheus. 
Distance: About 3,000 light-years from Earth. 
Composition: A complex of emission regions, including Sharpless 171, and a young open star cluster known as Berkeley 59. 
Star Formation: It is a stellar nursery where massive, hot stars are actively forming. 
Illumination: Intense radiation from these hot stars ionizes the surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow. 
Structures: Stellar winds from these stars create "pillar-like" structures and intricate dust lanes within the nebula.
2588
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The Moon this evening at 57% illumination (Waxing Gibbous 8.01 days old). 🔭 🧪 🎨 Shot taken on 2025-09-31 from my backyard. Moon Distance: 395,789.39 km Telescope: SCT 8 in Camera: ZWO 2600 MC OSC 50 best of 500 exposures stacked #Astrophotography #Space #Moon #MoonHour #Planetary #Astronomy
The Moon this evening at 57% illumination (Waxing Gibbous 8.01 days old).  🔭 🧪 🎨

Shot taken on 2025-09-31 from my backyard.

Moon Distance: 395,789.39 km

Telescope: SCT 8 in
Camera: ZWO 2600 MC OSC
10% best of 5000 exposures stacked

Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 57%
Moon Age: 8.01 days
Moon Angle: 0.50
Moon Distance: 395,789.39 km
Sun Angle: 0.53

#Astrophotography #Space #Moon #MoonHour #Planetary #Astronomy
0888
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
🧵(1/2) The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) our neighbour, located about 2.5 million light-years away. This is a work in progress. Shot taken on 2025-09-21 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 30 x 180s (1h30) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest major spiral galaxy to our Milky Way, located about 2.5 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda.
623531
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
🧵(1/2) IC 1396 is an emission nebulae, located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth. Shot taken on 2025-09-19 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Total exposure: 45 x 300s (3h45) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
IC 1396 is a large emission nebulae, a region of ionized gas, located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.[1]

IC 1396 is illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive multiple star HD 206267 at its center, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays. This hierarchical triple star system has two members that form a spectroscopic binary that orbit each other with a period of 3.7 days, while a third member lies further away—it is unclear whether this third member is gravitationally bound to the pair. The system is emitting a stellar wind that reaches an exceptional velocity of 3,225 km/s, among the highest measured for stars of this type.[2]

Jutting from the rim of the nebula is IC 1396A, commonly called the Elephant's Trunk Nebula, a dark, dense globule with a bright, sinuous rim being illuminated by HD 206267.[3]
3606
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
🧵(1/3) NGC 7000, The North American Nebula + the Pelican Nebula are emission nebulae located in the constellation Cygnus. Shot taken on 2025-09-16 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 32 x 300s (2h40) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The North America Nebula (NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb (the tail of the swan and its brightest star) in the night sky. It is named because its shape resembles North America.
39315
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
🧵(1/2) IC 1848, also known as the Soul Nebula, is an emission nebula located in Cassiopeia. Shot taken on 2025-08-31 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 42 x 300s (3h30) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Westerhout 5 (Sharpless 2-199, LBN 667, Soul Nebula) is an emission nebula located in Cassiopeia. Several small open clusters are embedded in the nebula: CR 34, 632, and 634[citation needed] (in the head) and IC 1848 (in the body). The object is more commonly called by the cluster designation IC 1848.

Small emission nebula IC 1871 is present just left of the top of the head, and small emission nebulae 670 and 669 are just below the lower back area.

The galaxies Maffei 1 and Maffei 2 are both nearby the nebula, although light extinction from the Milky Way makes them very hard to see. Once thought to be part of the Local Group, they are now known to belong to their own group- the IC 342/Maffei Group.

This complex is the eastern neighbour of IC1805 (Heart Nebula) and the two are often mentioned together as the "Heart and Soul".
4938
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
🧵(1/2) IC 63, also known as the Ghost of Cassiopeia, is a reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. Shot taken on 2025-08-15 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 42 x 300s (3h30) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
🧵(1/2) IC 63, also known as the Ghost of Cassiopeia, is a reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia, about 550 light-years away. It's shaped by the radiation from the nearby bright star Gamma Cassiopeiae, a blue-white subgiant. The nebula's ethereal glow is due to the interaction of this radiation with the gas and dust clouds. 

Shot taken on 2025-08-15 from my backyard

🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111
📷 ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 42 x 300s (3h30)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
514424
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
🧵(1/2) The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Cepheus. Shot taken on 2025-08-11 from my backyard 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 26 x 300 sec (2h10) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
NGC 7380 is a young open cluster of stars in the northern circumpolar constellation of Cepheus, discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as the Wizard Nebula, which spans an angle of 25′. German-born astronomer William Herschel included his sister's discovery in his catalog, and labelled it H VIII.77. The nebula is known as S 142 in the 1959 Sharpless catalog (Sh2-142).It is extremely difficult to observe visually, usually requiring very dark skies and an O-III filter. The NGC 7380 complex is located at a distance of approximately 8.5 kilolight-years from the Sun, in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way.

The cluster spans ~20 light-years (6 pc) with an elongated shape and an extended tail.[2] Age estimates range from 4[2] to 11.9 million years. At the center of the cluster lies DH Cephei, a close, double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of two massive O-type stars. This pair are the primary ionizing source for the surrounding H II region, and are driving out the surrounding gas and dust while triggering star formation in the neighboring region. Of the variable stars that have been identified in the cluster, 14 have been identified as pre-main sequence stars while 17 are main sequence stars that are primarily B-type variables.

Shot taken on 2025-08-01 from my backyard

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 26 x 300 sec (2h10)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
2658
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
🧵(1/3) The Iris Nebula (also known as NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4) is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Shot taken on 2025-08-01 from my backyard 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 56 x 120 sec (1h52) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Iris Nebula (also known as NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4) is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. The designation NGC 7023 refers to the open cluster within the larger reflection nebula designated LBN 487.

The nebula, which shines at magnitude +6.8, is illuminated by a magnitude +7.4 star designated HD 200775.[1] It is located near the Mira-type variable star T Cephei, and near the bright magnitude +3.23 variable star Beta Cephei (Alfirk). It lies 1,300 light-years away and is six light-years across.
2698
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
🧵(1/2) The Cygnus Loop is a large supernova remnant (SNR) in the constellation Cygnus. This is a 4 panels mosaic. Shot taken on 2025-07-18 from my backyard 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 4 x 8 x 180 sec (1h05) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
The Cygnus Loop (radio source W78, or Sharpless 103) is a large supernova remnant (SNR) in the constellation Cygnus

Shot taken on 2025-07-18 from my backyard

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 4 x 8 x 180 sec (1h05)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #AstronomyDetail of The Cygnus Loop (radio source W78, or Sharpless 103) is a large supernova remnant (SNR) in the constellation Cygnus

Shot taken on 2025-07-18 from my backyard

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 4 x 8 x 180 sec (1h05)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
1486
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
🧵(1/2) The Tulip Nebula (Sh 2-101) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. Re-processed my data for more detail. Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 13 x 300 sec (1h05) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
🧵(1/2) The Tulip Nebula (Sh 2-101) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 6000 light-years away from Earth.

Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 13x300 sec (1h05)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy🧵(1/2) Cropped version of The Tulip Nebula (Sh 2-101) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 6000 light-years away from Earth.

Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600
Total exposure: 13x300 sec (1h05)

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
414427
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
🧵(1/2) The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) is an emission nebula. Reprocessed with better detail. Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 + Filter L-Extreme Total exposure: 1200 sec #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
🧵(1/2) The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888). Reprocessed with better detail.

Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600 + Filter L-Extreme
Total exposure: 1200 sec

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #AstronomyDetail of The Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888). Reprocessed with better detail.

Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 

🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111
📷: ZWO ASI 2600 + Filter L-Extreme
Total exposure: 1200 sec

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
48111
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
🧵/1 Messier 27, The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as the Apple Core Nebula). Retaken with more exposure Shot taken on 2025-07-4 from my backyard Telescope: William Optics Pleiades 111 Camera: ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Filter Total exposure: 85 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Messier 27, The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as the Apple Core Nebula). Retaken with more exposure.

Shot taken on 2025-07-4 from my backyard

Telescope : William Optics Pleiades 111
Camera : ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Filter
Total exposure: 85 minutes

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
3965
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Moon and Mars taken in the same frame. It's a first for me. Mars is only about 3 or 4 pixels wide 😆. Shot taken on 2025-06-29 from my backyard. Telescope : William Optics Pleiades 111 Camera : ZWO ASI 2600 Exposure: best 50% of (5000 x 4 millisec) #Astrophotography #Space #Planetary #Astronomy
Image of the Moon and Mars in the same field of viewImage of Mars enlarged quite a bit
3393
StarCatcher 🇨🇦 @starcatcherjohn.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
🧵(1/2) The Tulip Nebula (Sh 2-101) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 6000 light-years away from Earth. Shot taken on 2025-06-22 from my backyard. 🔭: William Optics Pleiades 111 📷: ZWO ASI 2600 Total exposure: 13x300 sec (1h05) #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy
Sharpless 101 (Sh 2-101) is a H II region[1] emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. It is sometimes also called the Tulip Nebula because it appears to resemble the outline of a tulip when imaged photographically. It was catalogued by astronomer Stewart Sharpless in his 1959 catalog of nebulae. It lies at a distance of about 6,000 light-years (5.7×1016 km; 3.5×1016 mi) from Earth.

Sh 2-101, at least in the field seen from Earth, is in close proximity to microquasar Cygnus X-1, site of one of the first suspected black holes. Cygnus X-1 is located about 15′ west of Sh 2-101. The companion star of Cygnus X-1 is a spectral class O9.7 Iab supergiant with a mass of 21 solar masses and 20 times the radius of the Sun. The period of the binary system is 5.8 days and the pair is separated by 0.2 astronomical units. The black hole has a mass of 15 solar masses and a Schwarzschild radius of 45 km.
2529