NGC 7252 is a lenticular galaxy 220 million light years away in the constellation Aquarius.

The galaxy is nicknamed the “Atoms “for Peace galaxy because its stars form loop-like structure (tidal tails) that resemble a diagram of electrons orbiting an atomic nucleus. Similar to the logo used by the United States in the 1950’s to promote its Atoms for Peace campaign.

The galaxy is the result of a merger of two galaxies over a billion years ago.

Abell 78, a captivating planetary nebula residing in the depths of space, tells a story of stellar evolution and celestial beauty. This ethereal cosmic wonder is located in the constellation Cygnus, approximately 5,000 light-years from our home planet. The captivating image showcases the delicate, intricate structure of Abell 78, a shell of glowing gas and dust expelled by a dying star in its final stages of evolution. In this celestial tableau, Abell 78 serves as a poignant reminder of the magnificent transformations that stars undergo as they gracefully exit the cosmic stage, leaving behind a luminous legacy that continues to inspire and captivate our sense of wonder.

NGC 7822, a celestial jewel nestled in the constellation Cepheus, beckons our gaze from a distance of approximately 3,000 light-years away. This stunning emission nebula is a testament to the relentless forces of cosmic creation, where colossal pillars of gas and dust stand as monolithic sentinels, nurturing the birth of new stars within their shadowy embrace. In this mesmerizing image, the photographer has adeptly captured the vibrant tapestry of NGC 7822, where the intense radiation from newborn stars sculpts and illuminates the surrounding nebular clouds, painting the scene with vivid hues of red and blue. This celestial vista serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between light and darkness in the cosmic theater, where stars are born from the depths of interstellar chaos, offering a glimpse into the ongoing epic of our ever-evolving universe.

Ldn 1251, a cosmic enigma nestled within the constellation Cepheus, is a dark nebula that challenges our perception of space and celestial beauty. Located some 800 light-years away, it presents itself as a vast, seemingly empty expanse of space, obscuring the distant stars beyond with its shroud of impenetrable darkness. In this hauntingly exquisite image, the photographer has masterfully captured the subtle, shadowy intricacies of Ldn 1251, revealing a tapestry of cosmic dust and gas. This celestial vista serves as a reminder that even in the absence of brilliant stars and vibrant colors, there is profound beauty in the quiet, mysterious depths of the universe, where the hidden stories of stellar formation and evolution are written in the language of shadows.

Sh2-92, a lesser-known gem, is a faint but emission nebula residing in the constellation Cygnus, situated approximately 3,000 light-years away from Earth. In this image, the photographer has skillfully captured the subtle hues and intricate filaments of Sh2-92, revealing a stellar nursery where stars are born amidst the glowing gas of interstellar clouds.

Adjacent to Sh2-92, is SNR G65.3+5.7, also known as a supernova remnant, tells a tale of stellar destruction and rebirth. Born from the cataclysmic explosion of a massive star, this celestial remnant has expanded into space, leaving behind a luminous legacy. In this mesmerizing image, the photographer has masterfully combined the delicate features of Sh2-92 with the haunting beauty of SNR G65.3+5.7, offering us a glimpse into the dynamic and interconnected processes that shape the cosmos. Together, these celestial wonders serve as a testament to the ever-changing, awe-inspiring nature of our universe.

C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) is a long-period comet discovered by Hideo Nishimura on 12 August 2023. With an observation arc of seven months, the orbital period of the comet is estimated to be 434 years.

An eccentricity of 0.996 gives the comet a semi-major axis (average distance from the Sun) of about 57 AU, which is comparable to the average distance of Eris at 68 AU.

The comet will not leave the Solar System and will come to aphelion (farthest distance from the Sun) in 2227.

Sh2-71, also known as the Ghost Nebula, is a hauntingly beautiful emission nebula found in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 2,400 light-years away from our Earthly vantage point. This celestial apparition is named for its eerie, ethereal appearance, which is evocative of a phantom shrouded in cosmic mist. The Ghost Nebula is brought to life through the radiant glow of hydrogen gas, ionized by the intense radiation of nearby stars. In this captivating image, the photographer has skillfully captured the delicate tendrils and intricate wisps of the nebula, revealing the celestial specter lurking in the depths of space. This haunting celestial vista serves as a poignant reminder of the spectral wonders that await our exploration in the vast expanse of the cosmos.

Sharpless 2-115 is an emission nebula just North and West of Deneb, in the constellation Cygnus. It displays a chaotic morphology of gas emissions and dark nebulae. In the relatively high-resolution image presented here, pillars and Bok globules can be readily identified. Adjacent to Sh2-115 is a round structure originally cataloged as a planetary nebula. Sh2-116 was included in the assigned the catalog number Abell 71 in 1966 and hypothesized to be a planetary nebula by Perek and Kohoutec in 1967 (Perek, L. & Kohoutek, L. 1967, Catalogue of Galactic Planetary

Nebulae) . A morphological study by Pismis, Hasse, and Quintero in 1991 (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1086/132891) reclassified Abell 71/Sh2-116 as an HII region. In their study, Pismis et al claimed that a reason for the reclassification was lack of OIII signal. In the image presented here, as well as other amateur images, OIII in Sh2-116 is clearly present, which leads to question the conclusions of the 1991 study.

The Double Cluster, a celestial gem that graces the northern night sky, is a breathtaking duo of two open star clusters: NGC 869 and NGC 884, situated in the constellation Perseus. This cosmic pair, located approximately 7,500 light-years away from Earth, captivates stargazers with its luminous splendor. Comprising a multitude of young, hot stars, the Double Cluster's brilliance illuminates the surrounding dark skies, making it a favorite among astronomers and amateur stargazers alike. Its stars formed from the same interstellar cloud, yet they embarked on unique stellar journeys, resulting in a spectacular celestial ballet. When observed with binoculars or a telescope, the Double Cluster unveils a resplendent tapestry of stars, providing a glimpse into the captivating intricacies of the cosmos. In this particular image, the photographer has skillfully captured some very faint hydrogen-alpha (HA) emissions, adding an ethereal touch to the already mesmerizing celestial display, revealing the hidden threads that bind these stellar jewels together.

The Edge of the Elephant Trunk

Taken over the course of 33 nights, this is 174 hours of exposure on an area of sky that's rarely imaged alone, but often included in wide field views of Cygnus.

This region is directly north of the Elephant Trunk Nebula, and the faint outer edge of the Elephant Trunk can be seen on the right side of this image.

This is my first image since upgrading to a mono camera, and I couldn't be happier with the switch from OSC to mono.

The Clam Shell Nebula, officially known as NGC 2653, is a captivating celestial formation located in the constellation Camelopardalis, some 300 million light-years away from our own Milky Way galaxy. This mesmerizing nebula earned its popular moniker due to its striking resemblance to a giant clam shell gracefully unfurling in the cosmic depths. Its vivid colors and intricate, filamentous structures are the result of a tumultuous stellar birth and death cycle, where massive stars have exploded as supernovae, sculpting the surrounding gas and dust into a breathtaking display of cosmic artistry. The Clam Shell Nebula serves as a poignant reminder of the perpetual dance of destruction and creation that unfolds across the vast expanse of our universe.

NGC 7129 is an open star cluster located in the constellation Cepheus. This cluster is associated with a reflection nebula, meaning it shines due to the scattered light from nearby stars rather than emitting its own light. NGC 7129 is situated approximately 3,300 light-years away from Earth.

The Sadr Region, also known as IC 1318, is a fascinating area in space located within the Cygnus constellation. It is primarily recognized for the emission nebula IC 1318, which spans across a vast expanse of interstellar gas and dust. At its heart lies the prominent star Sadr (Gamma Cygni), which is one of the brightest stars in the Cygnus constellation and serves as a critical reference point for astronomers. This region is a hub of ongoing stellar formation, with numerous young, massive stars emerging from the surrounding gas clouds. Sadr Region's intricate mix of stellar nurseries, star clusters, and intricate nebular structures make it an important target for astrophysical research and a visually captivating sight in the night sky.

The excellent seeing of August 29th 2023 allowed me to produce a Saturn image of sufficient quality to add to my montage of images over the ringed planet over the last few years. This made number six (2018 to 2023)

Image Description and Details : Little Rosette Nebula or the "Question Mark Point", 4 nights of captures from the "Anysllum" observatory with my colleague Xavi Bros.

Astronomik 6nm Ha: 9h 50'
Astronomik 6nm OIII: 6h 50'
Astronomik 6nm SII: 1h 20'
Total: 18h

Equipment Details: - Orion Optics 14"
- Losmandy Titan
- ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Copyright: Jaume Zapata & Xavi Bros

Image Description and Details : Location:
Al Salmi desert, Kuwait (Bortle 5).

Acquisition
L 62 x 300” (5hr 10min)
R 20 x 300” (1hr 40min)
G 20 x 300” (1hr 40min)
B 20 x 300” (1hr 40min)
Ha 14 x 300” (1hr 10min)


Total integration time 11hr 20min

Gears:
C: ASI294MM Pro
M: AM5
T: RC51
F: ZWO

Copyright: Ahmed Alqallaf

Image Description and Details : In a single day, more than 6 large prominences, solar cycle number 25 continues to give us a fabulous spectacle, under 110 degrees Fahrenheit, this work took more than 6 hours, just to be capturing data, of our beautiful sun, plus the hours of image processing. from Dallas, Texas.

Equipment Details: Lunt 100mm,Lunt 60mm

Copyright: Arturo Buenrostro

A so-called ‘Mineral Moon’ image is a saturated color image of the Moon’s surface which indicates the presence of certain minerals in the lunar soil. So, the cooler differences correspond to the variations in chemical composition of the lunar surface (mostly by variations in iron and titanium content). Blue areas contain high amounts of titanium, whereas brown/orange areas indicate an abundance of iron and iron oxide. As some of the craters have unusually dense concentrations of titanium, it is assumed that asteroids that impact on the Moon are rich in rare metals.

India’s Spacecraft Chandrayaan 3 landed on Moon on 23 August which is finding water & minerals.

WR 134, a captivating member of the Wolf-Rayet star family, stands as a beacon of stellar grandeur in the cosmos. This massive and luminous star has shed its outer layers, creating a stellar wind that rushes into space, sculpting intricate patterns in the surrounding interstellar medium. Its fierce radiance and powerful emissions reveal the profound evolutionary processes occurring within its core.

Sh2-96, a lesser-known gem in the night sky, is an emission nebula that emanates a subtle yet mesmerizing glow. Nestled amidst the tapestry of stars, it remains hidden from casual view, inviting dedicated observers to uncover its secrets. Within its gossamer threads of gas and dust, stars are being born, their radiant energy sculpting the surrounding nebulous material. Like a cosmic cradle, Sh2-96 nurtures the formation of celestial offspring, unseen by many but holding the promise of new stellar wonders yet to be unveiled.