iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 30/09/2026

A couple of nights ago, I pointed my telescope at the moon and randomly caught five satellite transits within 2.5 minutes. #astrophotography

Five satellites transiting the moon within two and a half minutes.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 29/09/2026

I followed the evolution of supernova #SN2026aaiv for my September backyard #astronomy project. Bonus, I now have some differential photometry skills. #astrophotography

Light curve for supernova SN 2026aaiv in NGC 7331.
Nightly means :
2026-09-08 n = 27 V = 13.075 +/- 0.010 (04:28 - 10:26 UT)
2026-09-09 n = 25 V = 12.814 +/- 0.009 (04:25 - 10:17 UT)
2026-09-10 n = 13 V = 12.621 +/- 0.013 (04:05 - 07:34 UT)
2026-09-11 n = 26 V = 12.452 +/- 0.008 (03:58 - 10:19 UT)
2026-09-12 n = 27 V = 12.329 +/- 0.007 (03:56 - 10:28 UT)
2026-09-15 n = 14 V = 12.129 +/- 0.007 (03:53 - 04:32 UT)
2026-09-19 n = 15 V = 11.960 +/- 0.005 (08:18 - 09:06 UT)
2026-09-20 n = 10 V = 11.705 +/- 0.005 (03:35 - 04:09 UT)
2026-09-28 n = 64 V = 12.198 +/- 0.010 (04:00 - 07:41 UT)
2026-09-29 n = 53 V = 12.280 +/- 0.004 (03:39 - 10:56 UT)
Mean epoch (mid) : JD 2461302.77535 (2026-09-19 06:36 UT) (span 510.45 h)

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 20/09/2026

I'm continuing to image supernova #SN2026aaiv in NGC 7331 from my driveway observatory. A quick look at the differential photometry has it clocking in at a healthy 11.7 magnitude. #astronomy #astrophotography

Light curve of supernova SN 2026aaiv in galaxy NGC 7331. It's still increasing in brightness, at 11.7 magnitude.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 15/09/2026

I've spent the last week imaging supernova 2026aaiv in NGC 7331 and dabbling in differential photometry from my data. I calculated it at magnitude 12.1 last night. #astronomy #astrophotography #supernova #sn2026aaiv

The galaxy NGC 7331 with supernova 2026aaiv, imaged from my driveway in Oregon.

Light curve for SN 2026aaiv. It's still getting brighter!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 27/04/2026

The globular cluster Messier 3! 34,000 light years from the center of my driveway in Canes Venatici, this object contains more than 500,000 stars. Imaged with an 11-inch SCT and mono camera with LRGB filters. #astrophotograpy #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 18/04/2026

I've been sitting on this one since last October - the last time I had my gear out! This is a Bubble nebula (NGC 7635) wide field. This was imaged with my F/2 8-inch RASA for 14 hours over two nights. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 04/04/2026

That's crazy! I've never heard of one of those small fans fail like that.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 04/03/2026

I finally got aroud to deleting my X/Twitter account today. While I was at it, ChatGPT went to the curb too. I subscribed to Anthropic a couple of weeks ago anyway.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 03/03/2026

Last night's skycam perspective of the lunar eclipse. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 04/01/2026

I haven't had a telescope out since October, as I'm in rehab (for a back problem!). I went into my archival data this weekend and produced a very dusty image of Messier 45. Imaged from the driveway in 2019 and 2023. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 22/11/2025

I tried my hand at vibe coding this week with Google's Antigravity. Within minutes, I had a working Python script that takes Pixinsight image annotation data, does Simbad queries, and generates a spreadsheet of info - and I can barely spell "Python." #astrophotography

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 22/11/2025

I really don't miss the work trips since I retired!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 18/11/2025

Andromeda's maelstrom! Imaged over three nights in September from the driveway. Image details are on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/w0aubd. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 16/11/2025

I'm in southern OR, about 35 mi north of the border.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 16/11/2025

Approximately 300 mi north of me!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 06/10/2025

The Pacman nebula (NGC 281), some 9500 LY from the center of my driveway. This was imaged with an 8" Celestron RASA and ZWO ASI2600MC camera with a dual narrowband filter. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 26/09/2025

I've got the William Optics GT-81 out this week. This scope never fails to deliver incredible views! #astrophotography #astronomy

William Optics GT-81 telescope on the ZWO AM5 mount, outside waiting for dark.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 22/06/2025

Them: You don't need to double-stack a Daystar Quark solar filter. Me: A Quark double-stacked with a Lunt LS40F filter. I designed and 3D printed a couple of adapters. The ZWO ADC tames Newton's rings like magic. This project created many cloudy days in the PNW! #astrophotography #astronomy

A Daystar Quark solar filter attached to a Lunt 40mm etalon with 3D printed adapters.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 12/06/2025

NGC 6503, a dwarf spiral galaxy that lies 18 million light years distant in the constellation Draco and on the edge of the Local Void. Imaged with my 11" SCT over two nights this month. Image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/au7oe5. #astrophotography #astronomy

Dwarf spiral galaxy NGC 6503 in the constellation Draco lies 18 million light years away on the edge of the Local Void.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 11/06/2025

Spiral galaxy NGC 6015 in Draco, about 60 million light years from the center of my driveway. This is the result of nearly 12.5 hours of imaging over 3 nights in June. Image details are on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/lcolg9. #astrophotography #astronomy

Spiral galaxy NGC 6015 in the constellation Draco, approximately 60 million light years from Earth.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 08/06/2025

The Draco Triplet, in the constellation (you guessed it) Draco! The spiral galaxy at the top (NGC 5986) is about a third larger than our Milky Way and 140 million light years distant! Image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/jccmmy #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 07/06/2025

They landed on my 12th birthday. I was glued to the TV!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 06/06/2025

Having some renovations done on the house and and getting my #astrophotography fix is taxing on my old body. Late nights with the scope and early mornings with the contractor.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 31/05/2025

This is how the galaxy group Hickson 44 looked some 80 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Photons collected with my RASA in 2020 and reprocessed this week! #astrophotography

The galaxy group Hickson 44, about 80 million light years from our solar system.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 18/05/2025

I've caught a daytime transit of the moon before. Fun stuff!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 18/05/2025

I suppose it depends on your desired results! Nico Carver has done some amazing work with a camera & tripod. Check out www.nebulaphotos.com.

nebulaphotos.com

Nebulae Photos. Astrophotography by Nico Carver

Nebula Photos. Astrophotography by Nico Carver.

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Reposted by Loran Hughes

Kat @quantumkat.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Star #Lines This photo is a stack of hundreds of shots over 2 hours, revealing Earth's rotation. Each star shows its spectral color, forming a palette dancing around Polaris, the near-static star near the celestial pole. #blueskyartshow #circumpolar

A long exposure photo showing star trails circling around Polaris above a forest. The trails form curved lines of varying colors—red, blue, and white—caused by Earth's rotation and each star’s spectral signature. Bare tree branches silhouette the foreground.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 08/05/2025

The morning after the night before. Clouds have moved in, so I get a few nights off. #astrophotography

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 08/05/2025

Arp 104, Keenan's system in Ursa Major. A bridge of galactic material spans between the two galaxies as they interact. I had to dodge clouds for 3 nights to get this shot! Image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/3hnqng. #astrophotography #astronomy

Keenan's system, a.k.a. Arp 104, in Ursa Major. Imaged from Southern Oregon.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 03/05/2025

Thanks Bernd! More time always does wonders.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 03/05/2025

Thanks Darren. I'm at 42N, but our wildfire season can shut me down too. It's definitely a game for the patient among us!

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 03/05/2025

Messier 63, the Sunflower galaxy. Data from last year was combined with my imaging sessions from this spring to bump this to over 19 hours of total integration time from the driveway. Image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/ql3yos. #astrophotography #astronomy

Messier 63, the Sunflower galaxy. 19 hours, 6 minutes total integration time.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 24/04/2025

The Eyes Galaxies in Markarian's Chain, approximately 52 million light years from Earth. NGC 4438's distortions are due to past interactions with other galaxies, likely NGC 4435 & M86. Image details on my Astrobin site at app.astrobin.com/i/enzh4a. #astrophotography #astronomy

The Eyes Galaxies in Markarian's Chain, about 52 million light years from Earth.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 22/04/2025

The Whirlpool galaxy (Messier 51), about 31 million light years from the center of my driveway. Total integration time was nearly 14.5 hrs in LRGB. Image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/02phmv. #astrophotography #astronomy

Messier 51, the Whirlpool galaxy. Imaged from SW Oregon in April 2025.

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Reposted by Loran Hughes

Bernd Flachsbart @bflachsbart.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

IC 2574 Coddington’s Nebula captured from my patio on four nights in early March 😊🔭 It was shot on the EdgeHD 8 for a total integration time of about 18 hours in LRGB and 10 hours in Ha to enhance the star forming regions. Processing this irregular dwarf galaxy was challenging! #Astrophotography

Image of the irregular dwarf galaxy IC 2574. It’s located in the constellation of Ursa Major and is about 11 million light years away from Earth. The star forming regions were enhanced using a Ha narrowband filter and are visible as reddish areas in this image.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 19/04/2025

642 - the number of galaxies in this image of the Markarian's Chain neighborhood! Imaged from the driveway last week with the William Optics GT-81 refractor. More image details on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/1lkrwb. #astrophotography #astronomy

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 17/04/2025

The Needle galaxy (NGC 4565), a beautiful edge-on spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices. Imaged with my 11-inch Celestron SCT last night from the driveway. Image details are on my Astrobin page at app.astrobin.com/i/ubhujj. #astrophotography #astronomy

NGC 4565, the Needle galaxy is approximately 40 million light years from Earth.

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 12/04/2025

Since this is the current ChatGPT rage, here's my contribution. Not sure what's up with the groin-level telescopes, But with three clear nights starting this weekend, I'm obviously happy. #Astrophotography

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 14/03/2025

I've been a bit under the weather this week and it was cloudy last night, so I skipped the lunar eclipse. Here's something from the archive instead. Messier 1, the Crab nebula. Imaged in narrowband from the driveway with the 8" EdgeHD in Jan & Dec 2022. #astrophotography #astronomy

Messier 1, the Crab nebula. Imaged in 2022 from my driveway.

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Reposted by Loran Hughes

Astropotamus 🔭🦛 @astropotamus.com · 11/03/2025

Don't forget Thursday night into Friday, it's total lunar #eclipse night! , 🔭

Graphic showing local times for the lunar eclipse

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Loran Hughes @westwoodastro.net · 02/03/2025

The galaxy Messier 96, 31 million light years from our solar system in the constellation Leo. Imaged during our late February "false spring." More rain & snow incoming! Image details on my Astrobin page at astrob.in/rmlk70/0/. #astrophotography #astronomy

The galaxy Messier 96, 31 million light years distant in the constellation Leo.

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Reposted by Loran Hughes

Bernd Flachsbart @bflachsbart.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

NGC 1491 The Fossil Footprint Nebula captured from my patio in November last year 😊🔭 It was shot on the EdgeHD 8 for a total integration time of about 20 hours in mono with Ha and OIII narrowband filters and LRGB filters for the stars. #Astrophotography @kat-astro-bot.bsky.social‬

Image of the emission nebula NGC 1491 processed in a HOO palette with yellowish brown hues. This target has a very bright but rather small core.

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