Walt Watson Astrophotography

Nebulae Region in Cepheus. This is a wide field Ha/Oiii photo of a region rich in interesting objects. The Bubble, Lobster Claw , Northern Lagoon, and Cave nebulae. Other objects are the open star cluster M52, the reflection nebula vdB135, HII areas and Dark nebulae. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ASKAR Colormagic C1 duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

Nebulae Region in Cepheus. This is a wide field Ha/Oiii photo of a region rich in interesting objects. The Bubble, Lobster Claw, Northern Lagoon, and Cave nebulae. Other objects are the open star cluster M52, the reflection nebula vdB135, HII areas and Dark nebulae.

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The Flying Bat Nebula is actually SH2-129. Sorry for the typo.

The Flying Bat Nebula (SH2-29) and the Giant Squid Nebula (Ou4, ) in Cepheus at ~ 2300 ly distant from Earth. The Bat is large H-alpha emission while the Squid is a faint Oiii-emitting object. The scope exposure period was 10 hours over 4 nights for this photo. Set up: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 mount Filter: ZWO Duo Band (Ha/Oiii) Controller: Mini PC running NINA and PHd2 acquisition and guiding software.

The Flying Bat Nebula (SH2-29) and the Giant Squid Nebula (Ou4, ) in Cepheus at ~ 2300 ly distant from Earth. The Bat is large H-alpha emission while the Squid is a faint Oiii-emitting object. The scope exposure period was ~10 hours over 4 nights for this photo.

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Great photo!

The Ghost Nebula (SH2-136) is a reflection nebula in Cepheus. I counted up to 7 ghosts in this object, some of them even waving. It appears yellow-brown due to the nature of the dust scattering the light. Total exposure time was 8 hours over two nights. Set up: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 mount Filter: UV/IR cut Controller: Mini PC running NINA, PHd2 acquisition and guiding software.

The Ghost Nebula (SH2-136) is a reflection nebula in Cepheus. I counted up to 7 ghosts in this object, some of them even waving. It appears yellow-brown due to the nature of the dust scattering the light. Total exposure time was 8 hours over two nights.

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The Rosebud Nebula (NGC 7129) is a colorful reflection nebula in Cepheus. Nicknamed for it's resemblance to a rose bloom. It is a fairly faint object and the details required a long exposure time (4.5 hours) under dark skies. It was a perfect night for it. 07/21/25 Set up: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 mount Filter: UV/IR cut Controller: Mini PC running NINA, PHd2 acquisition and guiding software.

The Rosebud Nebula (NGC 7129) is a colorful reflection nebula in Cepheus. Nicknamed for it's resemblance to a rose bloom. It is a fairly faint object and the details required a long exposure time (4.5 hours) under dark skies. It was a perfect night for it.
07/21/25

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Thank you, here is some more info on my setup:

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed
Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
Controller: Mini PC running NINA, PHD2

Total stare time: ~ 3 hours
Skies: Bortle 3
Camera subframe: 180 seconds

Processed with SIRIL, Graxpert, Affinity Photo 2

The Double Cluster (Caldwell 14) are bright open star clusters close together in the constellation Perseus. They are about 7500 ly from earth. Acquired with spectral wide band filter. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, PHD2 Filter: UV/IR cut Processed with SIRIL, Graxpert, Affinity Photo 2

The Double Cluster (Caldwell 14) are bright open star clusters close together in the constellation Perseus. They are about 7500 ly from earth. This is a wide band visible spectrum photograph using a IR cut filter to keep the stars sharp.

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Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) in the constellation Cygnus. The interaction of multiple stellar ejections by the central star give the nebula it's shape.Taken 2 nights ago when the stormy Cape Cod skies cleared for a bit with my newly larger aperture upgraded telescope. Set up: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 mount Filter: ZWO Duo Band (Ha/Oiii) Controller: Mini PC running NINA and PHd2 acquisition and guiding software. Rendered using HOO palette

Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) in the constellation Cygnus. The interaction of multiple mass ejections by the central star give the nebula it's shape.Taken 2 nights ago, when the stormy Cape Cod skies cleared for a bit, with my new larger aperture upgraded telescope.

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The Cosmic Question Mark is comprised of a large emission nebula NGC 7822 and the small "Dot" is the Little Rosette Nebula (SH2-170). This photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Taken earlier this week (07/07/25). Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ASKAR Colormagic C1 duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Cosmic Question Mark is comprised of a large emission nebula NGC 7822 and the small "Dot" is the Little Rosette Nebula (SH2-170). This photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Taken earlier this week (07/07/25).

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Cocoon Nebula (Caldwell 19) in Cygnus is both an emission and reflection nebula. A young central star (14x more massive than the sun) powers this nebula. This is a SHO narrow band imaging update to my previously posted wide band RGB image which is included. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA ASKAR duo band Ha/Oiii and Sii/Oiii filters, UVIR cut filter Total Exposure 12 hours

Cocoon Nebula (Caldwell 19) in Cygnus is both an emission and reflection nebula. A young central star (14x more massive than the sun) powers this nebula. This is a multi-spectral narrow band imaging update to my previously posted wide band RGB image which is included.

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I have to scopes. They are both in the pinned photo on my site. The red one is my wider field of view scope. The white one has a narrower field of view but higher resolution.

Wow!

Very nice photo. What filters did you use for this great image?

The Butterfly Nebula and the star Gamma Cygni (SADR) in the constellation Cygnus. This object is a pair of glowing gas lobes split by a dark dust lane (LDN 889). Rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Distances: SADR ~1800 ly Butterfly Nebula ~ 4900 ly Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ASKAR Colormagic C1 duo band Ha/Oiii Total Exposure: 4 hours Camera frame time: 3 min Camera CCD temp: -12 C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Butterfly Nebula and the star Gamma Cygni (SADR) in the constellation Cygnus. This object is a pair of glowing gas lobes split by a dark dust lane (LDN 889). Rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue.

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The Sailboat Cluster (NGC 225) is an open star cluster in Cassiopeia. Other objects of note in the photo are reflection nebula VdB 4 and dark nebula LDN 1302. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA and Phd2 Filter: UV/IR cut Settings and conditions: Skies: Bortle 3 Total Exposure: 3 hours Camera frame time: 3 min Camera CCD temp: -12 C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Photoshop

The Sailboat Cluster (NGC 225) is an interesting open star cluster in Cassiopeia. Other objects of note in the region are reflection nebula VdB 4 and dark nebula LDN 1302. This a wide visible spectrum 3 hour exposure RGB photo taken in dark skies (Bortle 3).

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Yes, it certainly does.

What scope did you upgrade to? I bought a new one as well but I have to wait for the clouds and fog to clear, probably next month sometime.

The Eastern Veil (Caldwell 33) is a stunning region of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. At ~ 2400 ly distant it is an amazingly eerie object to photograph. This is a narrow band photo where the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed refractor Camera: ZWO ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlters: ASKAR Colormagic C1 Ha/Oiii duo band Camera Temp: -12C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Photoshop

The Eastern Veil Nebula (Caldwell 33) is a stunning region of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. At ~ 2400 ly distant it is an amazingly eerie object to photograph. This is a narrow band photo where the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue.

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You're welcome!

he Western Veil (NGC 6960) A.K.A the Witch's Broom Nebula. This is one of the distinct regions of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant acquired on a rare clear early morning this June. In this duo narrow band image the emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed refractor Camera: ZWO ASI533mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlters: ASKAR Colormagic C1 Ha/Oiii duo band Camera Temp: -12C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Photoshop

The Western Veil (NGC 6960) A.K.A the Witch's Broom Nebula. This is one of the distinct regions of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant acquired on a rare clear early morning this June. In this duo narrow band image the emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue.

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Yes this is one nights worth of data. I will probably collect more when the clouds go away. Which will be a while according to the weather report.

It is a single wide field shot.

The Cygnus Loop (SH-103) is a very large supernova remnant over 120 light years in diameter (3 deg across the sky) and is expanding at over half a million mph. This is a multi-spectral narrow band photograph where Hydrogen are reds, and Oxygen are blues Taken 06/11/2025 Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 FIlters: ASKAR Colormagic Ha/Oiii duo band Camera Temp: -12C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Photoshop

The Cygnus Loop (SH-103) is a very large supernova remnant over 120 light years in diameter (3 deg across the sky) and is expanding at over half a million mph. This is a multi-spectral narrow band photo where Hydrogen are reds, and Oxygen are blues.

Taken 06/11/2025

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The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula ionized by young energetic stars within. It is located in the constellation Cygnus about 6000 ly distant and spans about 70 ly in diameter. This is a SHO narrow band image which shows the distribution of ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the region. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlters: ASKAR Colormagic Ha/Oiii, Sii/Oiii duo band Settings Exposures: Ha/Oiii filter: 2 hours Sii/Oiii filter: 2 hours Camera Temp: -12C Processed in SIRIL and Photoshop

The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is ionized by young energetic stars within. This is a multi-spectral narrow band image which shows the distribution of ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the region and is rendered with the Hubble palette.

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The Bubble Nebula NGC 7635 in the constellation Cassiopeia at a distance of 7100 light years. The bubble is created by a hot young star causing the surrounding gasses to glow. This is a multi-spectral narrow band photograph where Hydrogen are reds, and Oxygen are blues. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Filter: ASKAR C1 dual band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL,Graxpert,Affinity Photo 2

The Bubble Nebula NGC 7635 in the constellation Cassiopeia at a distance of 7100 light years. The bubble is created by a hot young star causing the surrounding gasses to glow. This is a multi-spectral narrow band photograph where Hydrogen are reds, and Oxygen are blues.

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The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula surrounding the central star of the constellation Cygnus known as SADR. Also in the photo is the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) and Butterfly Nebula. HaRGB image was collected over two sessions this past week Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium ASKAR Colormagic duo band Ha/Oiii and UVIRcut filters Total Exposure: 4 hours Camera frame time: 3 min Camera CCD temp: -12 C Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula surrounding the central star of the constellation Cygnus known as SADR. Also in the photo is the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) and Butterfly Nebula.

HaRGB image was collected over two sessions this past week

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Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 80ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlters: SVBony UV/IR cut Settings Exposures: Total exposure: 1.4 hours per galaxy Camera Temp: -12C Processed in Siril, Graxpert and Affintiy Photo 2

The Silver Sliver (NGC 891) and Sombrero (M94) galaxies. I acquired these during this spring's galaxy season. M94 has a confirmed large supermassive black hole at it's center and NGC 891 does not appear to host one. Both are about ~ 30 Mly distant.

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More than I wanted to spend now that you got me thinking about it. 😏

Thanks, I am just getting to work after fixing a backfocus issue. In my area it has been the 5th wettest May ever. My area had Canadian wildfire smoke last year, I hope it clears for you sometime soon. So far though smoke is not out here on Cape Cod this year yet.