The Flickr Universeviewscreen Image Generatr

Deep within the constellation Monoceros, the Rosette Nebula blazes as a cosmic forge, where gravity and radiation sculpt vast towers of gas and dust. This central region is where stars ignite, forging the elements that may one day become new worlds.

This two-panel mosaic captures the nebula’s elaborate core, where the young, searing-hot stars of NGC 2244 blaze through the surrounding clouds, shaping an ever-evolving masterpiece. Every arc and filament in this celestial furnace tells the story of the universe’s endless cycle - destruction, rebirth, and the birth of light itself.

Want to see all details up close? Ultra HD, 15K resolution version can be found here: tinyurl.com/Gigapan-RP-Astro - see last photo to have an idea what it looks like 😊

Astrobin link: app.astrobin.com/u/deepskyjourney?i=h3eg8s
IG: @deepskyjourney | FB: /RodPrazeresAstrophotography
All other socials: linktr.ee/deepskyjourney


Tech specs:

Total integration: 37h 30m

Integration per filter:
- Hα: 13h 10m (79 × 600’)
- SII: 13h 50m (83 × 600’)
- OIII: 10h 30m (63 × 600’)

Equipment:

- Telescope: Sharpstar Askar 130PHQ
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro
- Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband SHO 36 mm
- Drizzled 2x

Thank you!

IC 2944, famously known as the Running Chicken Nebula, lights up the southern skies in the constellation of Centaurus. This active stellar nursery, not just a visual spectacle but also a site of complex cosmic phenomena, is easily identifiable by its unique avian shape, which has captured the imagination of astronomers and stargazers alike.
Northeast of the picture lies my favorite part of the nebula - next/below λ Centauri, where a nebulous formation presents itself with a mesmerizing blend of colors and shapes. This area, rich in ionized gases and scattered starlight, offers a breathtaking view that highlights the artistic beauty inherent in the cosmos.

Towards the center of the nebula you’ll find the mysterious Thackeray’s Globules - small, dense molecular clouds that appear as dark silhouettes against the brighter nebular glow. These globules are key sites for studying the early stages of star formation, providing clues about the life cycle of stars and the conditions within bustling nebular environments.

Recommended: You can also visualize a HQ, 12k pixels zoomable of this version here: www.gigapan.com/.../nosnapsh.../iframe/flash.html...
Astrobin here: www.astrobin.com/z8bkdj
Telescope: Sharpstar Askar 130PHQ
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM-Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro
Integration time: 23h 20min.

IG: www.instagram.com/deepskyjourney/
My socials: linktr.ee/deepskyjourney
Thanks for checking.

Playa de Aguilar. Noche del 1 de enero de 2025

Una vez más tuvimos la suerte de poder disfrutar de auroras boreales desde la costa asturiana.

Northern Lights in the skies of Asturias, Spain

Welcome to the constellation Vela, where the cosmos tells a story of creation and destruction. At the center of this image lies RCW 38, a stellar nursery where young stars are born amidst glowing gas and dust, lighting up their surroundings.

In the bottom-right, the striking Pencil Nebula (NGC 2736) is a glowing filament of the Vela Supernova Remnant, a structure formed by a massive stellar explosion thousands of years ago. Next to it, the blue filaments - highlighted using an OIII filter - trace ionized oxygen gas, part of the same remnant. Nearby stars like c Vel, f Vel, and g Vel shine brightly within this tapestry of light.

In contrast, the serene NGC 2670 star cluster in the top-left adds a sense of calm to this dynamic scene.

This image was processed in the HOO palette, combining hydrogen and oxygen emissions to create the vibrant reds and blues. It represents over 14h of imaging time and careful post-processing to bring out these intricate details.

Details:
• Antlia 3nm H-alpha: 39×600″ (6h 30′)
• Antlia 3nm OIII: 47×600″ (7h 50′)
• Integration Time: 14h 20′
• Telescope: William Optics RedCat 51 II
• Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
• Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6-Pro

The universe is a story of beginnings and endings, with regions like RCW 38 and the Vela Nebula serving as stunning chapters. Follow for more journeys through the stars!

Acquisition, processing and copyright: Rod Prazeres Astrophotography
IG: @deepskyjourney
FB: Rod Prazeres Astrophotography
All other Socials: linktr.ee/deepskyjourney

High def image can be provided on request.

About a year ago I published a photo of the Double Cluster in Perseus (NGC 869 and NGC 884), two stars clusters in constellation Perseus (see here: flic.kr/p/2mJWPjw). This year I photographed the same area but with an hydrogen filter, in order to reveal the faint hydrogen clouds in this field of view, here seen as the red clouds.

Photographing the invisible is an intrinsic trait of astrophotography - deeply amazing but also a responsibility to the photographer - which usually reminds me of Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince famous quote the “anything essential is invisible to the eyes”.

I hope you enjoy.

Photo taken at Barcarena, Portugal on Oct.22nd, 2021 (RGB) and Nov.08th, 2022 (Ha)

Technical details

RGB: 220 x 120’’ (7h20)
Ha: 118 x 200’’ (9h50)
Total: 17h10

TS Optics Triplet APO 800/115 | TS Optics TSFLAT2 0.79x | QHYCCD 268C | QHYCCD 268M | Omegon IV/IR Cut 2'' | Astronomik Ha 6nm | RBFocus Myrrdin 2.3 | RBFocus Gaius-S