Back to astrophotography

[robj144]

I'm a university instructor and got very busy with the semester the last couple of months. But, now since it gets darker earlier, I can start this hobby again. So, I started this weekend and did a little more last night:



It's reshoot of a shot I did last year, but it's already quite a bit better this year since I have learned a bit since then.

[rmp]

that is another amazing photograph Rob

thanks for sharing these

[Dru Edwards]

I was wondering why your astrophotography threads were absent. It's beautiful! That's Andromeda, correct? What's the one that's just beneath it?

[TomB'sox]

This is one of my favorites you posted. Well done!

[robj144]

Thanks everyone!

[jklotz]

That is awesome!

[OldLefty]

Great image. Nice to see you back at it.

[robj144]

Different version:

[rsay777]

I planned and purchased some camera gear early in 2021 getting ready for the new moon first week in August. I drove 600 miles for a "Dark Sky" location and was disappointed to have the sky obscured by the fires in S Oregon. I will try again this next year.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by rsay777

I planned and purchased some camera gear early in 2021 getting ready for the new moon first week in August. I drove 600 miles for a "Dark Sky" location and was disappointed to have the sky obscured by the fires in S Oregon. I will try again this next year.

That would be disappointing. Hopefully you still enjoyed the journey.

I see the Big Dipper in my back yard and Orion in the front every night it's clear. Rural area with few lights. Not a cloud in the sky now as the sun sets.

[fumei]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I was wondering why your astrophotography threads were absent. It's beautiful! That's Andromeda, correct? What's the one that's just beneath it?

It is M110, or NGC 205. If the shot was oriented to how it actually is in the sky, it would be flipped and NGC 205 would be above, or north, of M31 (Andromeda Galaxy). The other more compressed companion (above in the shot, below - south - in the sky) is M32 or NGC 221.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by fumei

It is M110, or NGC 205. If the shot was oriented to how it actually is in the sky, it would be flipped and NGC 205 would be above, or north, of M31 (Andromeda Galaxy). The other more compressed companion (above in the shot, below - south - in the sky) is M32 or NGC 221.

Thanks for that info. I just googled it and it looks like it's M110 oriented below.

[robj144]

Added some more time:

[Dru Edwards]

Great pics, Rob. It's mesmerizing to look at something where its true size and distance is overwhelming.

[fumei]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Thanks for that info. I just googled it and it looks like it's M110 oriented below.

That is because most people find it aesthetically pleasing that way. But (depending on time of night) if your eyes could get enough light to see M110, with Andromeda Galaxy, most of the time it would in fact be above. It is north of M31. And from the northern hemisphere that generally means above.

Most people view the sky in the time before midnight (maybe staying up to 1:00 AM?). A rough view:



Or put another way:


M31 is more easterly (0h 42m versus M110 0h 40) and south of M110 (41 deg 16m versus M110 41 deg 41m)

When I google "M110 gaaxy", on the page there are four sample images. One has M110 above, one has M110 below. How one displays the image is a matter of choice, and mostly people seem to like M110 below. However, again, if you have big enough binos to actually see M31 and M110 with your eyes - in the sky, as it is - most of the time it will be above. To move the center of view from M31 to M110 you would raise the binos.

I say most of the time because most people see Pegasus as an evening object, to the east. In which case the view in the drawings above apply. If you look at them late in the night (early morning) with Pegasus setting to the west, then yes, M110 would be - sort of - below. Although still north. It tips over on its side, but visually it never really gets below.

I do not know exactly where rob is, but I gather he is in Florida. That does change things, quite a bit actually. But not enough to flip it.

This is all very pedantic. Heck it does not really matter a whit. Technically speaking ALL frame of references are arbitrary. There is no real reason for north to be "above". In New Zealand classrooms they often reattach globes so that the south pole is on top.