Welcome
This is the home page for the Northern Sky Observations web site, which presents the astronomical observations from Nairnshire, Scotland and previously in North Yorkshire, England.
Most of my night sky time has been devoted to DSO imaging with all its associated challenges.
Most of my night sky time has been devoted to DSO imaging with all its associated challenges.
Recent Images
Comet 12P/Pons Brooks
12P/Pons–Brooks is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 71 years. It was discovered at Marseilles Observatory in July 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons, and then later recovered in 1883 by William Robert Brooks.
The comet nucleus is estimated to be around 30 km in diameter.
The image is composed from 41*1 minute exposures taken on the 6th March 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9
12P/Pons–Brooks is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 71 years. It was discovered at Marseilles Observatory in July 1812 by Jean-Louis Pons, and then later recovered in 1883 by William Robert Brooks.
The comet nucleus is estimated to be around 30 km in diameter.
The image is composed from 41*1 minute exposures taken on the 6th March 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9
M42 - Orion Nebula
M42, is a diffuse nebula situated in the constellation of Orion. It is one of the brightest nebulae in the night sky, and is visible to the naked eye. The nebula is approximately 1,350 light years away and 24 light years across. It is the closest region of massive star formation to the Earth.
The image is composed from images taken at various exposure lengths due to the large dynamic range of the nebula: 60@10 seconds; 25@30 seconds; 22@90 seconds; 52@120 seconds; 32@180 seconds. Images taken in February 2016 and February 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
M42, is a diffuse nebula situated in the constellation of Orion. It is one of the brightest nebulae in the night sky, and is visible to the naked eye. The nebula is approximately 1,350 light years away and 24 light years across. It is the closest region of massive star formation to the Earth.
The image is composed from images taken at various exposure lengths due to the large dynamic range of the nebula: 60@10 seconds; 25@30 seconds; 22@90 seconds; 52@120 seconds; 32@180 seconds. Images taken in February 2016 and February 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
The Flame & Horsehead Nebulae in Orion
The image shows 2 nebulae in the constellation of Orion near to the left most star in the belt, Alnitak (the bright star just left of centre in the image).
The Flame Nebula (just below Alnitak), NGC 2024, is an emission nebula about 1,500 light-years away. The Horsehead Nebula (centre of image) is a dark nebula some 1,375 light years distant and like the Flame Nebula is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.
The image is composed from 72*5 minute exposures taken in January 2016, February 2022 and January 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
The image shows 2 nebulae in the constellation of Orion near to the left most star in the belt, Alnitak (the bright star just left of centre in the image).
The Flame Nebula (just below Alnitak), NGC 2024, is an emission nebula about 1,500 light-years away. The Horsehead Nebula (centre of image) is a dark nebula some 1,375 light years distant and like the Flame Nebula is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.
The image is composed from 72*5 minute exposures taken in January 2016, February 2022 and January 2024. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
NGC281 - PacMan Nebula in Cassiopeia
NGC281 PacMan Nebula
NGC281, the PacMan nebula is a region of hydrogen illuminated by a group of stars in the centre. The nebula is about 10,000 light years away.
The image is composed from 31 images of 5 minutes exposure taken in December 2023. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
The image is composed from 31 images of 5 minutes exposure taken in December 2023. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
M33 - Triangulum Galaxy
M33 Triangulum Galaxy
The Triangulum Galaxy is a spiral galaxy approximately 3 million light years from Earth in the constellation of Triangulum. It is catalogued as Messier 33 or NGC598, and is sometimes informally referred to as the Pinwheel Galaxy. The Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest member of the Local Group of galaxies.
The image is composed from 54 images of 5 minutes exposure taken in November 2023. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.
The image is composed from 54 images of 5 minutes exposure taken in November 2023. Camera - QHY8L; Scope - WO Star71 F4.9.