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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 18h

Garlic (A.K.A Medulla) Nebula (CTB 1, Abell 85) was first thought to be a planetary nebula but was later found to be a supernova remnant. It is very faint and I collected several nights worth of data to image it. Total Exp: 31.75 hrs, 10/3-9 2026 Ha reds, Oiii blues #astronomy #astrophotography

Garlic (A.K.A Medulla) Nebula (CTB 1, Abell 85) was initially thought to be a planetary nebula but was later found to be a supernova remnant. It is very faint and I collected several nights worth of data to image it.

Total Exp: 31.75 hours, 10/3 - 10/9 2026
(Ha reds, Oiii blues)

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed
Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
Filters: ASKAR duo band, Ha+Oiii
Processed in SIRIL, Affinity Photo 2, Luminar Neo

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Thanks. It is something different and it's amazing!

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Looking into the constellation Lacerta for 5 hrs and you end up with quite the star field. I just find this amazing. This is through the local Milky Way disk and into the outer arm regions, Wow! There are are over 200,000 stars in this one image. Exp: 5 hrs, 10/05/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

Looking into the constellation Lacerta for 5 hrs and you end up with quite the star field. There are just so many! I just find this amazing. This is looking through the local Milky Way disk and into the outer arm regions and Wow! It's not even the center of the galaxy.

There are are over 200,000 stars in this one image.

Exposure: 5 hours, 10/05/26

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph
Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro (26 megapixel camera)
Mount: ZWO AM3
Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2
Filters: SVBony UVIRcut
Processed with SIRIL, Luminar Neo

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Omicron Persei Star Cloud (IC 348) looks like it is rising out the dark nebula Barnard 4 in this photo. The 2-6 million year old cluster consists of several hundred stars. Discovered by E.E. Barnard in the 1890's. (per Wiki) Exposure: 4 hrs, 10/5/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

M&M Double Cluster(NGC 1528 & 1545) in the constellation Perseus. M&M seems to be an unofficial designation that appears in the star map app Stellarium. Discovered in 1790 by William Herschel and the clusters are ~ 2300-3000 light years distant. Exp: 3.5 hrs, 09/15/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

You're right. It is pretty low. I will just add it to my to do list.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

NGC 6822 is south of my site. Unfortunately that is blocked by forest. I am moving to a new site in a few months. Maybe I will give it a go then.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yes, and that depends on clear skies and your tree line. Long nights tend to be part of the hobby at least for me.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Thanks for the info. My scope isn't very big either and targets like that are a challenge. Good start on it though.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is our nearest neighbor large spiral galaxy. It is bright and large enough (apparent size is 6 moon diameters) to be visible to the naked eye in dark skies.(per Wiki) Exp: 13 hours, updated 10/1/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Lion Nebula (Sh2-132) is a large contrasting emission nebula dominated by ionized Hii and Oiii regions. It is ~100 light years across powered by a massive hot Wolf-Rayet star system. (Wiki) -Rendered so ionized Hydrogen(reds) and Oxygen(blues) Exp 6 hrs, 09/11/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Dark Nebula (LDN 1262) is a cold molecular cloud which blocks starlight in the Cepheus Flare region. It is a reservoir of cold dense molecular gas that may or may not reach the stage of gravitational collapse to birth a star. Total exp: 15 hours 09/11-15 2026 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The PacMan Nebula (NGC 281) is an emission nebula with a dark dust lane giving it the shape of the video game character. It is ~48 ly across and is ~9200 ly from Earth in Cassiopeia. - nb Ha+Oii data for emission regions - wb RGB to for dust and stars. 09/08/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Thank you. The Hobby has been quite the journey.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The Heart (IC1805), Soul (IC1848), and the Fish Head (IC1795) emission nebulae in Cassiopeia are star forming regions within the Milky Way. Narrow band photo rendered with the Hubble palette: Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) Additional data 09/12/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Open Star Cluster (NGC 1528) in Perseus ~ 1000 light years from Earth. It is ~ 300 million years old and contains a mixture of bright blue white and yellow stars (~ 200 total). It is also 1/2 of the M&M double cluster. (per Wiki) taken 09/08/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

SADR Region extra wide field from the Gamma Cygni (IC1318)/Butterfly to Crescent(NGC688) to Tulip(SH2-101) nebulae. This photo renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen(blues) using the Hubble palette. 2 Panel Mosaic SHO+RGB photo, final exp 09/07/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The Dark Nebula (Barnard 174, LDN 1164) is a cold(-263C) dense cloud of interstellar microscopic dust grains coated with frozen carbon monoxide and nitrogen ice which blocks starlight located in the Cepheus Flare region. (Per Wikipedia) Taken 09/06/26 Exposure: 5 hours #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The North American(NGC 7000) and the Pelican(IC 5070) nebulae. I updated my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3 rendering ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) .(The Hubble telescope team's color palette) Exp: 10.5 hrs, final session 08/29/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) and the Salt & Pepper open star cluster (M52) in Cassiopeia. The Bubble itself is about 7 light years across.The 35 million year old open star cluster M52 contains ~200 stars. (per Wikipedia) Total Exp: 8hrs, RGB+Ha+Oiii final session 08/29/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Thanks, those molecular clouds are always sort of tricky.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The Cosmic Checkmark Nebula is comprised a latge elongated molecular cloud (LBN 534) and the reflection nebula (VdB 158) lies in a dusty starry region in Andromeda. It is ~ 35 light years in length. (per Wiki) Exposure 6 hrs over several sessions, updated 09/02/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

The Cosmic Checkmark Nebula is comprised a large elongated molecular cloud (LBN 534) and the reflection nebula (VdB 158) lies in a dusty starry region in Andromeda. It is ~ 35 light years in length.

Exposure 6 hrs over several sessions, updated 09/02/26

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph
Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM3
Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium
Filter: UV/IR cut
Processed in SIRIL,Veralux, Graxpert, and Luminar Neo

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The Rosebud Nebula (NGC 7129) is a colorful small but active stellar nursery embedded in the dusty Cepheus region. Nicknamed for it's resemblance to a rose bloom. Updated 08/26/26 with narrow band data to highlight emission areas. Total exp: 9.5 hours, RGB+Ha+Oiii #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

North American (NGC 7000) & Pelican (IC 5070) nebulae are a large single glowing cloud of gas being ionize by bright nearby stars such as Deneb. The nebulae are separated by a light blocking dust lane. Rendering: Hydrogen(reds) & Oxygen(blues) Exp: 6 hrs, 08/24-08/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Flying Bat Nebula (SH2-129) a HII region(reds), and the Giant Squid Nebula (Ou-4) a bipolar outflow that emits in Oiii (blues), and the Dark Seahorse (B-150). I am also including annotated Bat location photo. Exposure: 15 hours over 5 nights. updated 08/25/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

The Flying Bat Nebula (SH2-129) a HII region(reds), and the Giant Squid Nebula (Ou-4) a bipolar outflow from a triple star system from within the Bat that emits in Oiii (blues), and the Dark Seahorse (B-150). Plus a small reflection nebula vdB140 located to the right of the Flying Bat nebula.

Exp: 15 hours over 5 nights. updated 08/25/26

Set up:
Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval Astrograph
Camera: ASI2600mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM3 mount
Filter: ASKAR C1 Duo Band (Ha/Oiii)
Controller: Mini PC running NINA and PHd2 acquisition and guiding software.

I provided a annotated the Flying Bat photo because I had to look up where the bat was located. It was not particularly obvious to me and it probably be hard to see for others.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Crab Nebula (M1) is a pulsar powered supernova remnant in Taurus that grew to a diameter of ~10 ly in 972 years. This is a rainy day reprocessing of last years data with new tools. The 2026 plan is to make it a detailed project when it is higher in the sky at my site. #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The Iris (NGC 7023) and Ghost (SH2-136) nebulae in the Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud Complex, a large star forming region in the Milky Way. Both reflection nebulae are relatively close to each other and are about 1200 to 1300 light years from Earth. updated 08/16/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Gamma Cygni(IC 1318) & Crescent(NGC 6888) nebulae in the center of Cygnus, ~5K ly distant. This region is a large star forming region made to glow by young hot stars and rendered so ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen(blues). Total exp: ~9 hrs 08/06/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

Gamma Cygni (IC 1318) and the Crescent (NGC 6888) nebulae in the center of Cygnus, ~5K ly distant. This region is a large star forming region made to glow by young hot stars. This photo renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen(blues).

Total exposure: ~9 hrs
SHO+RGB photo 08/06/26

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV555
Camera: ZWO ASI2600mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM3
FIlters: SVBony UV/IR cut,SVBony UVIRcut, ASKAR Colormagic Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii duo band
Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Photoshop

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

According to astronomers it's 5000 light years from Earth.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) in Cygnus. The interaction of multiple stellar ejections by the central star give the nebula it's shape. Narrow band data collected before moon rise this past week. Rendered so ionized Hydrogen are reds & Oxygen are blues. Taken 08/07/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This is my photo of M33. The red splotches are indicative of nebulae in that galaxy. I used a Hydrogen Alpha filter to highlight them. I took this over several nights from my wife's garden with a small refractor.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Detailed photos of nebula by guys like me doing it from my yard are most certainly from the Milky Way. Large space telescopes can image nebulae from another galaxy but not to the level of detail that is done with those in the Milky Way. Even I can detect them in Andromeda but not with any detail.

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) was carved out of the stellar medium by a 4 million mph solar wind ejected by a super hot star. This is a multi-spectral photo rendered so ionized Sulfur are reds, Hydrogen are yellows and Oxygen are blues. Total Exp: 9 hrs, Taken 07/27/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Wolf's Cave(LDN 1228) and Dark Shark(LDN 1235) nebulae located in the Cepheus Flare, a large molecular cloud complex. Both are extremely faint and are a mix of reflection and cold dark nebula components. Exposure: 6 hours, updated 07/15/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC1396A) in Cepheus is a dense column of gas about 30 light years long sculpted by UV radiation and stellar winds. In this photo ionized Hydrogen are reds and Oxygen are blues. (Per Wiki) Exp: 5 hrs, Taken 07/23/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The Cocoon Nebula (Caldwell 19) and the Dark Nebula Barnard168. This photo of the region shows how they are intertwined. The HII region SH2-124 is at the bottom right. Two sessions: wb RGB - 5hrs 07/23/26 for dust and reflection nb Ha+Oiii - 5hrs 07/27/26 for emission #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The Perseus Double Cluster (Caldwell 14). This is my 2026 visit to one of my favorite star clusters. The clusters are bright and fairly close at a distance of ~ 7500ly. They are also young at only ~12 to 14 million years of age.(per Wiki) Exp: 75 min, Taken 07/24/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

The Perseus Double Cluster (Caldwell 14). This is my 2026 visit to one of my favorite star clusters. I used my newest scope which is a better performer than what I had used in previous years. The clusters are bright and fairly close at a distance of ~ 7500ly. They are also young at only ~12 to 14 million years of age.(per Wiki)

Exp: 75 min, Taken 07/24/26

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed
Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
Filter: SVBony UV/IR cut
Processed in SIRIL, PS, and Luminar Neo

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Cocoon Nebula (Caldwell 19) is powered by a young bright star in Cygnus and sits at the end of the molecular cloud Barnard 168. (per Wiki) Contains: - RGB data for stars,dust & reflections - Narrow band data (Sii, Ha, Oiii) for emissions Exp: 6 hours, updated 07/22/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

The Ring Nebula (M57) is a expanding shell of ionized gas ejected by a dying sun-like star. Barred Spiral Galaxy (IC1296), seen as a edge on smudge, is 10,000x further away than the Ring at ~220 Mly, testing the resolving power of my scope. Exp: 5hrs, Taken 07/14/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

The Clamshell Nebula (Sh2-119) is a large emission nebula in Cygnus illuminated by the hot star 68 Cygni. This multi-spectral image shows the areas of ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula. Exp:6 hours, taken July 11th -15th 2026 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380, SH2-142), in Cepheus. It's apparent size is about the that of the Moon. This photo uses the Hubble palette which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues). - Updated with additional sessions 07/10/2026 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The Ghosts of Cassiopeia Nebula (IC63,IC59) are clouds of dust and gas being pummeled by intense UV radiation from the blue white sub-giant star Gamma Cas. These reflection and emission nebula are ~500 ly from Earth. Total Exp: 10 hrs from several sessions #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is a bright HII emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. This narrow band multi-spectral image shows the dominate areas of ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula. Total Exp: 9.5 hours, updated 07/02/26 #astronomy #astrophotography

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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

The Hidden Galaxy (IC 342, C5) is a fairly close (7-11 Mly) galaxy dimmed and reddened by the dust of the Milky Way because it lies in the galactic plane. It's apparent size is: (1/2 to 2/3rds the Moon's diameter). Total exposure: 8.5 hours taken Spring 2026 #astronomy #astrophotography

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