AAPOD2 Image Archives

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November 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo November 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo

Small sunspots, large filaments (WL vs Ha)

In this composite view of the Sun, the image on the left, taken using a white light filter, provides a detailed look at the visible surface, or photosphere, revealing granular structures and sunspots that mark regions of complex magnetic activity. Sunspots are cooler areas created by strong magnetic fields inhibiting the transport of heat from the solar interior, appearing as dark blemishes on the solar surface.

On the right, the image captured with a Hydrogen-Alpha (Hα) filter unveils the chromosphere's dynamic features, showcasing solar prominences that tower over the Sun's limb. These prominences, composed of cooler plasma suspended in magnetic loops, offer a captivating glimpse into the intricate magnetic phenomena occurring on the solar surface.

Solar prominences can erupt in dramatic events known as solar flares, releasing intense bursts of energy and charged particles into space. These flares, often accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can have significant impacts on our space environment, potentially affecting satellite operations and terrestrial communication systems.

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November 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo November 2023, 2023 Charles Lillo

NGC7129

NGC 7129 is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. This stellar nursery is known for its intricate and captivating structures, which are illuminated by the light of newly formed stars within its vicinity. The nebula's striking appearance is primarily due to the scattering of starlight by fine dust particles in the interstellar medium.

NGC 7129 offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the process of star formation and the dynamics of young stellar clusters. By examining the properties of the stars within the nebula and analyzing its molecular composition, researchers can gain insights into the conditions and mechanisms that govern the birth and evolution of stars. The study of NGC 7129 contributes to our broader understanding of the fundamental processes that shape the formation of stars and planetary systems, shedding light on the intricate interplay between radiation, matter, and gravity in the cosmos.

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2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo

Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1)

TMC-1, or the Taurus Molecular Cloud-1, is a dense interstellar cloud located in the constellation Taurus. This cold and dark molecular cloud is of particular interest to astronomers as it represents an environment where new stars may eventually form. TMC-1 is known for its rich abundance of molecular compounds, including carbon-bearing molecules such as carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as organic molecules like cyanopolyynes.

The study of TMC-1 provides valuable insights into the initial conditions and processes that govern star formation within molecular clouds. By analyzing the chemical composition and physical properties of TMC-1, researchers can better understand the intricate interplay between gravity, magnetic fields, and turbulence, which ultimately lead to the gravitational collapse and birth of new stars. TMC-1 serves as a natural laboratory for studying the early stages of stellar evolution and the complex chemistry that underlies the formation of planetary systems and the building blocks of life in the cosmos.

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2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo

NGC 2004 et. al. Narrowband

NGC 2004 offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the formation and evolution of stars in an environment characterized by intense stellar radiation and energetic outflows. By analyzing the properties of the stars within the cluster, researchers can gain insights into the processes of star formation, stellar evolution, and the dynamics of stellar populations in a region of active star formation. The study of NGC 2004 contributes to our broader understanding of the mechanisms governing the birth and development of stars in the diverse and dynamic cosmic landscapes of our universe.

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2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, November 2023 Charles Lillo

IC 59 and IC 63 - Ghost of Cassiopeia

IC 59 and IC 63, collectively known as the Ghost of Cassiopeia, are a pair of faint reflection nebulae situated in the constellation Cassiopeia. These nebulae are primarily illuminated by the light of Gamma Cassiopeiae, a variable star with a powerful stellar wind. IC 59 and IC 63 owe their ghostly appearance to the scattering of starlight by dust particles in the interstellar medium, giving them a wispy and ethereal aspect.

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2023, November 2023 Jason Matter 2023, November 2023 Jason Matter

NGC 7380 - The Wizard Nebula

Image Description and Details: NGC 7380/ SH2 142 - The Wizard Nebula, is an open cluster of stars still embedded in the nebula out of which it formed. The stars are estimated to be about 4 million years old. The cluster is about 8,000 light years away in the constellation Cepheus.

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October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter

Dusts in Cassiopeia

Image Description and Details: Southeast of the star Shedar, there is a vast molecular nebula area. LBN 603, LDN 1295, LDN1296, and TGU H809 are part of it and as well as others not shown. LBN603 is the 603rd object in the Lynds Bright Nebulae (LBN) Catalog, and the Lynds brightness scale of 1 (brightest) to 6 (dimmest) has this one at a 6. This was captured over a couple nights in October.

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2023, October 2023 Jason Matter 2023, October 2023 Jason Matter

Partial Lunar Eclipse 28-29 October 2023


It was the last Lunar eclipse of the year and I tried to capture it successfully. As soon as it starts entering the umbral region, a dark shadow starts overlapping the moon and making it look like a "Bitten Biscuit." As the Umbral eclipse starts, the bands slowly turn orangish red and the shadow starts overtaking the brightness the Moon until it gets fully covered. The eclipse has no such effect on human beings as the rumours and superstitions roam around. The events of nature are meant to be enjoyed together.

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October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter

SH2-119. The clamshell nebula

Location: Castillejar, Andalusia, Spain

Image Description and Details: 2200 years ago, when the photons of light left this nebula to reach us, the Earth was definitely another place. The cosmic time machine, the telescope, this time was pointed towards the constellation Cygnus, more precisely towards Sh2-119. Gas and dust envelop the main star, 68-Cygni being mostly responsible for the ionization of the gas around it. This ionization makes the gases all colored at different wavelengths, from blue to green, passing through all shades of brown and orange. The dark nebula filaments above contrast strongly with both the glow of the nebula and the rich field full of stars in the background. These filaments are clouds containing mostly gas (hydrogen and helium) and a minimal fraction of dust (about 1%), responsible for the appearance of the cloud. These dusts, although minimal, absorb the light, making the nebula completely dark. Sh2-119 is a celestial signature of an ancient explosion that released gas and dust into the universe, forming new stars and planets. The silk effect of the nebula makes us think of a white colored pillow in a bed of stars, but, among that dust, stars and planets are forming in the most violent and destructive processes.

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October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter October 2023, 2023 Jason Matter

Andromeda in narrow/broad-band with the recently discovered SDSO1!

Image Description and Details: The Fiery Veil of Andromeda!
Gaze upon the Andromeda Galaxy, our cosmic neighbour, as it reveals its hidden secrets. The crimson halo you see is the Ha emission, a testament to the vast clouds of hydrogen gas that envelop this majestic galaxy. It's like Andromeda's own ethereal aura, glowing softly against the backdrop of the cosmos.



Now, let's dive deeper. The inverted image you see is a result of meticulous processing of the data taken using the Radian Triad filter. But what's that faint glimmer to the left? Ah, that's the STROTTNER-DRECHSLER-SAINTY OBJECT 1. Processing this was no easy feat. It was like trying to hear a whisper in a storm. But with a blend of channels, some masking magic, and this ghostly presence was brought to life. Its amazing how the world of Oiii has so much for us unknown.

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2023, October 2023 Jason Matter 2023, October 2023 Jason Matter

Ngc1333 Wide field

Image Title: Ngc1333 Wide field



Image Description and Details: NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula located in the northern constellation Perseus.
This nebula is a young region of very active star formation, being one of the best-studied objects of its type.

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2023, October 2023 Jason Matter 2023, October 2023 Jason Matter

NGC 7822

Image Description and Details: Can you see the face in space ? Blue eyes, a dark nose and mouth with curly red hair….
The red in space is ionised hydrogen and blue is atomised oxygen. Cosmic pillars of cold molecular gas and clouds of dark dust – often called elephant trunks – lie within NGC 7822. Powering the nebular glow are the young, hot stars of the Berkeley 59 cluster, whose powerful winds and radiation also sculpt and erode the dense pillar shapes. Stars could still be forming inside the pillars by gravitational collapse, but as the pillars are eroded away, any forming stars will ultimately be cut off from their reservoir of star stuff…..

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2023, October 2023 Jason Matter 2023, October 2023 Jason Matter

Solar Eclipse from Texas

Image Description and Details: It was a great experience to enjoy this great phenomenon of nature, although from where I was (Dallas, Tx.) it was not possible to see 100% of this annular solar eclipse, but here I leave you the result of these images taken from my dedicated telescope I hope you like it, and we will wait for the next total eclipse, from Dallas, now we will see it completely in this area, next April 2024.

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2023, october 2023 Jason Matter 2023, october 2023 Jason Matter

WR-134

Image Description and Details: WR 134 est une étoile variable située à environ 6 000 années-lumière de la Terre dans la constellation du Cygne. WR 134 expulse une partie de ces couches externes qui sont ensuite soufflées par le rayonnement intense et les vents stellaires rapides de l’étoile. L’éjecta est ensuite entré en collision avec la nébuleuse ambiante entourant l’étoile pour former cette espèce de disque (en bleu dans l’image).

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2023, october 2023 Jason Matter 2023, october 2023 Jason Matter

The Nose of the Elephant Trunk

Image Description and Details: This is the cometary globule inside IC1396, in Cepheus. It is named "the elephant trunk" due to the similarity with the trunk of this big animal. The globule contains many different protostars and it is shaped by a very energetic star in the center of the nebula complex. In this image I composed 3 different sessions: SHO and L-Extreme images taken with my C11HD from my backyard and RGB images taken with CDK500 from Skygems remote service.

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october 2023, 2023 Jason Matter october 2023, 2023 Jason Matter

M 2-55 and its elusive fragmented bow-shock front

Image Description and Details: M 2-55 is an evolved rarely-imaged planetary nebula in the constellation Cepheus. It was first discovered and identified by the German-American astronomer Rudolph Minkowski on photographic plates at Mount Wilson in 1947. The plates were taken by W.C. Miller with a 10" f/5.2 refractor.
IM 2-55 possesses two sets of bipolar lobes.
It was only in 2020 that a team of Chinese professional astronomers detected an arc of material running from the SE to the SSW. (Chih-Hao Hsia et. al, March 13th 2020, “Discovery of Extended Structures around Two Evolved Planetary Nebulae M 2-55 and Abell 2”). They concluded that this arc was furnishing strong evidence for an interaction of the expanding nebula of \m 2-55 with its surrounding interstellar material. The presence of fragmentation in the arc may be the result of a phenomenon known as Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities.
A total of 115 hours HaOIIIRGB image capture

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2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo

COSMIC CHECKMARK (LBN534+VdB158)

LBN 534 and VdB 158, located in the constellation Cepheus, together form a captivating interstellar duo offering a wealth of scientific insights. LBN 534 is classified as a diffuse emission nebula, while VdB 158 is a reflection nebula. Emission nebulae, like LBN 534, are primarily composed of ionized gas emitting light at various wavelengths, providing valuable information about the properties of the interstellar medium. VdB 158, on the other hand, owes its striking appearance to the scattering of light by dust particles.

In the case of VdB 158, the bluish appearance is the result of the preferential scattering of shorter, bluer wavelengths of light. Its juxtaposition with LBN 534 offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the interaction between the illuminating stars and the surrounding dust and gas. Analyzing these nebulae contributes to our understanding of the intricate processes governing star formation and the dynamics of the interstellar medium in the vast expanse of our galaxy.

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2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo

SH2-129 LRGB

Sh2-129, also known as the Flying Bat Nebula, is an emission nebula located in the constellation of Cepheus. It derives its name from its resemblance to a flying bat with outstretched wings. Scientifically, Sh2-129 is a complex nebula featuring both emission and reflection components. Emission nebulae are formed by the ionization of gases by nearby stars, while reflection nebulae occur when dust particles scatter light from nearby stars. Sh2-129 is illuminated by the radiation from O-type stars, which are known for their high temperature and luminosity. Its intricate structure provides astronomers with an opportunity to study the interplay between stellar radiation and the surrounding interstellar medium. The examination of Sh2-129 contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms behind the shaping and evolution of such intricate cosmic formations.

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2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo 2023, October 2023 Charles Lillo

2023 October 14 Annular Solar Eclipse in H-Alpha

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers the Sun's center, leaving the Sun's visible outer edges to form a "ring of fire" or annulus around the Moon. Observing such an eclipse in H-alpha light, which is a specific spectral line of hydrogen, can provide valuable insights into the Sun's chromosphere and prominences.

For the October 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse, this H-alpha view highlights the chromospheric features and prominences. Observers using specialized solar telescopes equipped with H-alpha filters would have been able to see the eclipse with more details and observe any solar prominences that were present during the eclipse.

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