Walt Watson Astrophotography

The Flying Dragon Nebula (Sh2-114) is an extremely faint filament structured HII region located in Cygnus which resembles a dragon in flight. This photo is a 12 hour exposure taken over 4 nights in late September 2025 using a Ha/Oiii narrow band filter. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: Askar C1 Ha/Oiii

The Flying Dragon Nebula (Sh2-114) is an extremely faint filament structured HII region located in Cygnus which resembles a dragon in flight. This photo is a 12 hour exposure taken over 4 nights in late September 2025 using a Ha/Oiii narrow band filter.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Cave Nebula (SH2-155, Caldwell 9) is a diffuse emission nebula with reflection and dark areas located in Cepheus. It is a 10.5 hour exposure taken over 2 nights, finished 09/28, and is rendered as a Hubble palette SHO image, Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues). Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii, Askar C1 duo band SO/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Cave Nebula (SH2-155, Caldwell 9) is a diffuse emission nebula with reflection and dark regions located in Cepheus. It is a 10.5 hour exposure taken over 2 nights, finished 09/28, and is rendered as a SHO image, Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues).

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Iris (NGC 7023) and Ghost (SH2-136) nebulae in the Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud Complex. Both reflection nebulae are relatively close to each other and are about 1200 to 1300 ly distant from Earth. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: SVBony UV/IR cut

The Iris (NGC 7023) and Ghost (SH2-136) nebulae in the Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud Complex. Both reflection nebulae are relatively close to each other and are about 1200 to 1300 ly distant from Earth.

Exposure: 3 hours , Skies: moonless Bortle 3
09/26/25

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus, was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This SHO image uses the Hubble palette which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues). Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii, Askar C1 duo band SO/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus, was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This SHO image uses the Hubble palette which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues).

#astronomy #astrophotography

LoL!

From what I read articles say near miss or they merge.Wikipedia states it has 50/50 chance of doing either. So at this point no one is wrong.

Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is 2.5 Mly distant. M31 is larger than the Milky Way and is heading right for us at ~ 120 km/sec impacting in 4.5 billion years. This is a wide field (3.2 x 5.3 deg) HaRGB photo taken with a my SVBony SV555 astrograph Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut, ASKAR C1 duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2

Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is 2.5 Mly distant. M31 is larger than the Milky Way and is heading right for us at ~ 120 km/sec impacting in ~4.5 billion years. This is a wide field (3.4 x 5.3 deg) HaRGB photo taken with a my SVBony SV555 astrograph.

Skies: Bortle 3-4
09/04/25

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula ~ 4900 ly distant in the constellation Cygnus. Included in the photo is the Crescent (NGC 6888) and Butterfly nebulae. This is my 2nd run at this region this year using a Ha (reds) - Oiii (blues) duo band filter. Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ASKAR Colormagic duo band Ha/Oiii Total Exposure: 3 hours Camera frame time: 3 min Camera CCD temp: -12 C Skies: Bortle 3-4 Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula ~ 4900 ly distant in the constellation Cygnus. Included in the photo are the Crescent(NGC 6888) and Butterfly nebulae. This is my 2nd run this year at this region using a Ha (reds) + Oiii (blues) nb filter.

#astronomy #astrophotography

Lost opportunity! Usually, it's the opposite for me. The weather reports are clear, but I can't see a damn thing.

Wolf's Cave (B 175, C 201, vdB 152), Dark Shark (LDN 1235) , and Rotten Fish (LDN 1251) dark and reflection nebulae located in the Cepheus molecular cloud region. They are ~ 650 to 1400 light years from Earth. This is a 2 panel mosaic photo, 5hrs exposure per panel. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: UV/IR cut

Wolf's Cave (B 175, C 201, vdB 152), Dark Shark (LDN 1235) , and Rotten Fish (LDN 1251) are dark and reflection nebulae located in the Cepheus molecular cloud region. They are ~ 650 to 1400 light years from Earth. This is a 2 panel mosaic photo, 5hrs exposure per panel.

#astronomy #astrophotography

Thank you.

The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in Cassiopeia. Is an emission nebula in which the intense central star has sculpted the local stellar medium. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii and Askar C1 duo band Sii/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in Cassiopeia. Is an emission nebula in which the intense central star has sculpted the local stellar medium. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula.

#astronomy #astrophotography

Nice, a bit higher resolution than my photo. I hope it turns out well.

Terrific effort!

Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed
Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut

The Deer Lick Galaxy Group and Supernova SN 2025rbs which is located in the large galaxy NGC 7331. The supernova was discovered July 14th and I photographed it September 3rd . SN 2025rbs had decreased in brightness by somewhat by this time but is still visible. Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2

The Deer Lick Galaxy Group and Supernova SN 2025rbs which is located in the large galaxy NGC 7331. The supernova was discovered July 14th and I photographed it September 3rd. SN 2025rbs had decreased in brightness by somewhat by this time but is still visible.
exp: 5 hrs
#astronomy #astrophotography

So says Douglas Adams!

Thanks!

Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92) is a compact group of interacting galaxies in Pegasus (~ 290 million light years distant). It is a chaotic grouping with tidal tails and shock waves. Four of the galaxies are interacting while the one of them is much closer. Photo taken 09/03/25 Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2

Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92) is a compact group of interacting galaxies in Pegasus (~ 290 Mly distant). It is a chaotic grouping with tidal tails and shock waves. Four of the galaxies are interacting while one of them is much closer.

Taken 09/03/25
Exposure: 5 hours
#astronomy #astrophotography

The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula ionized by young energetic stars within. It is close to the black hole Cygnus X-1 which creates a visible bow shock seen at the upper right of the nebula. This was 5 hour exposure on a moonless night clear sky night. Taken 08/22/25 Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: ZWO Ha/Oiii duo band Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2

The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula ionized by young energetic stars within. It is close to the black hole Cygnus X-1 which creates a visible bow shock seen at the upper right of the nebula. This was 5 hour exposure on a moonless night, 08/22/25.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Rotten Fish Nebula (LDN 1251) is part of the Cepheus molecular cloud complex. It is a dim dark nebula, a dense cloud of gas and dust that obscures the light from background stars, which was captured with a long (5 hours) wide band exposure. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: UV/IR cut

The Rotten Fish Nebula (LDN 1251) is part of the Cepheus molecular cloud complex. It is a dim dark nebula, a dense cloud of gas and dust that obscures the light from background stars, which was captured with a long (5 hours) wide band exposure.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Heart (IC1805), Soul (IC1848), and the Fish Head (IC1795) nebulae. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula. 5 hours of exposure over 2 nights. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filters: ASKAR Color Magic HO and SO filter set

The Heart (IC1805), Soul (IC1848), and the Fish Head (IC1795) emission nebulae in Cassiopeia are star forming regions within the Milky Way. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Cosmic Checkmark Nebula is comprised an elongated molecular cloud (LBN 534) and the reflection nebula (VdB 158). It lies in a dusty starry region in Andromeda. A symbol for getting tasks done, it is an oddity seeing a checkmark adrift in the universe. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filter: UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2

The Cosmic Checkmark Nebula is comprised an elongated molecular cloud (LBN 534) and the reflection nebula (VdB 158). It lies in a dusty starry region in Andromeda. A symbol for getting tasks done, it is an oddity seeing a checkmark adrift in the universe.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus. Narrow band images bring out the outlined of a robed wizard hence the name. This HA/Oiii photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. The nebula span is ~ 110 ly and is ~ 7200 ly distant. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus. Narrow band images bring out the outlined of a robed wizard hence the name. This HA/Oiii photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue.

#astronomy #astrophotography

Ghosts of Cassiopeia (IC 63, IC 59) are illuminated by the very bright star Gamma Cassiopeia and are ~ 550 light years from Earth. They are both reflection and emission nebulae giving off an eerie spectral glow due the stimulation by the powerful nearby star. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

Ghosts of Cassiopeia (IC 63, IC 59) are illuminated by the very bright star Gamma Cassiopeia (γ Cas) and are ~ 550 light years from Earth. They are both reflection and emission nebulae giving off an eerie spectral glow due the stimulation by the powerful nearby star.

#astronomy #astrophotography

Thank you!

The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) located in the constellation Cepheus. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This is a SHO image which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) using the Hubble palette. Equipment: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph ZWO AM5 mount ASKAR type C duo band filter set (Ha/Oiii,Sii/Oiii) ZWO ASI2600 mc pro color camera Mini PC running NINA and PHD2 for control and auto-guiding.

The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) located in the constellation Cepheus. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This is a SHO image which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) using the Hubble palette.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Dark Seahorse Nebula (Barnard 150) in Cepheus, named after the fish it resembles. This dark molecular cloud is blocking starlight from the background Milky Way. This is a narrow band Ha/Oiii image which accents the reddish tinge around the darker parts of the nebula. Camera exposure: 10 hours. Set up: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: AS2600mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 mount Filter: ZWO Duo Band (Ha/Oiii) Controller: Mini PC running NINA and PHd2 acquisition and guiding software.

The Dark Seahorse Nebula (Barnard 150) in Cepheus, named after the fish it resembles. This dark molecular cloud is blocking starlight from the background Milky Way. This is a narrow band Ha/Oiii image which accents the reddish tinge around the darker parts of the nebula.
#astronomy #astrophotography

The Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) is an emission nebula that resembles the video game character in Cassiopeia. This photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Taken in the early morning of August 4th which had good seeing all night. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) is an emission nebula that resembles the video game character in Cassiopeia. This photo is rendered so the ionized emissions of hydrogen are red and oxygen are blue. Taken in the early morning of August 4th which had good seeing all night.

#astronomy #astrophotography

The Dark Shark (LDN 1235) and Wolf's Cave (LDN 1228) nebulae in the constellation Cepheus ~650 light years from Earth. They are both a dark and reflection nebulae and are very faint. Camera exposure was 6 hrs under dark Bortle 3 skies. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filter: UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.

The Dark Shark (LDN 1235) and Wolf's Cave (LDN 1228) nebulae in the constellation Cepheus ~650 light years from Earth. They are both a dark and reflection nebulae and are very faint. Camera exposure was 6 hrs under dark Bortle 3 skies.

#astronomy #astrophotography