Astrophotos Taken with 80mm Refractors
All images with Orion ST-80 f5 or Stellarvue Nighthawk f6

Refractor Images of Messier Objects

M 8 "Lagoon Nebula" and M 20 "Trifid Nebula" in Sagittarius

Stellarvue 80mm Nighthawk, SBIG ST-4000XCM, 3 min * 9

M 16 "Eagle Nebula" in Serpens Cauda
I have some trouble with the blue rings around bright stars with refractors.

Stellarvue 80mm Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E
R=4*4, G=4*4, B=6.5*3, L=1 min*15 exp

M 17 "Checkmark/Swan Nebula" in Sagittarius

Stellarvue 80 Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E
R=2*6, G=2*6 B=3.2*3, L=2 min*10 exp

M 20 "Trifid Nebula" in Sagittarius

Orion ST-80 refractor, SBIG ST-7E
R=1*10, G=1*10, B=1.6*10, L=0.6 min*35 exp

M 22 Cluster in Sagittarius
This a favorite cluster since it was the first non-trivial
object I found in my big binoculars and in my SCT

ST-80, SBIG ST-7E, 3 min * 3

M 23 Cluster in Sagittarius

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, 1 min * 8

M 25 Cluster in Sagittarius

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, 45 sec * 18

M 31 "Andromeda Galaxy" in Andromeda

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax istD, 30 sec * 85

M 31 "Andromeda Galaxy" in Andromeda

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST4000XCM, 10 Min * 13

M 33 "Triangulum Galaxy" in Triangulum

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm Refractor, SBIG ST-7E
R=4 min*16 exp, G=4*5, B=6.4*5, L=4*9

M 39 Cluster in Cygnus

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST-7E, 1 sec * 35

M 39 Cluster in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80/f6, Pentax K110D, 30 sec * 14 exp

M 41 Cluster in Canus Major

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80/f6, Pentax K100D, 30 sec * 55 exp

M 42 "Orion Nebula" in Orion<

Stellarvue 80mm Refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter
R=15*15, G=15*16, B=24*16, Ha=120 sec*27 exp

M 42 "Orion Nebula" in Orion

Stellarvue 80mm Refractor, SBIG ST-7E
Two Frame Mosaic, each: R=15*5, G=15*5, B=15*8, L=25 exp*5 sec

M 42 "Orion", M 43, amd NGC1422 "Running Man" Nebulas in Orion

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST4000XCM, 1 min * 54 and 20sec * 43

M 44 "Beehive Cluster" in Cancer

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80/f6, Pentax K100D, 15 sec * 40

M 44 "Beehive Cluster" in Cancer

Orion ST-80 80/f5, SBIG ST4000XCM, 20 sec * 98

M 45 "Pleiades Cluster" in Taurus
I finally caught the Merope Nebula from my light polluted location

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80/f6, Pentax K110D DSLR, 1 min * 52

M 46 Cluster in Puppis
Contains ring nebula NGC 2438

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80/f6, SBIG ST-7E, 1 min * 4

M 51 "Whirlpool Galaxy" in Canus Venatici

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm Refractor, SBIG ST-7E 3 min*40

M 81, M 82, NGC 3077 Galaxies in Ursa Major

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80-f6, Pentax K100D, 2 min * 28

Markarian Galaxy Area (including M 84, M 86, M 87, M 88) in Virgo
Galaxies visible left to right:

IC 3486 12.5	NGC 4477 10.4	NGC 4458 11.8	NGC 4425 11.9	NGC 4407 11.9
M 86 8.9	NGC 4459 10.5	M 87 8.6	IC 794 13.2	NGC 4388 11.0
NGC 4506 12.8	NGC 4446 13.8	NGC 4438 10.0	NGC 4402 11.8	M 84 9.2
NGC 4479 12.5	NGC 4461 11.1	NGC 4435 10.8	M 86 8.9	.

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80-f6, Pentax K110D, 1 min * 22

Refractor Images of NGC and IC Objects

NGC 281 "Pacman Nebula" in Cassiopeia

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter, 12 min * 16

NGC 281 "Pacman Nebula" in Cassiopeia

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 39

NGC 869/884 "Double Cluster" in Persius

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST-7E, 6 section mosaic, each section 10 * 15 sec

NGC 869/884 "Double Cluster" in Persius

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax K100D, 30 sec * 14

NGC 1528 Cluster in Persius

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST-7E, 60 sec * 10

NGC 2024 "Flame Nebula" in Orion

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter, 5 min * 6 exp

NGC 2024 & B 33 "Flame Nebula & Horsehead" in Orion
Taken at a Messier Marathon in Goshen CT

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax K110D, 1 min * 19

NGC 2024 & B 33 "Flame Nebula & Horsehead Nebulas" in Orion

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 38

NGC 2174 Nebula in Orion

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter, 15 min * 4

NGC 2174 "Tulip Nebula" in Orion

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 25

Galaxy Cluster in Leo
Left to right: NGCs 3193 Mag 10.8, NGC 3190 MAG 11.0, NGC 3187 Mag 12.9, NGC 3185 Mag 12.0

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, 3 min * 13

NGC 6633 Cluster in Ophiuchus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, 1 min* 4

NGC 6823 Cluster and "Pillar Nebula" in Vulpecula
This dark nebula among MAG 9 stars is invisible in photos I took before buying an Ha filter.

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter, 10 min*7 Min

NGC 6888 "Crescent Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha Filter,7 min*10

NGC 6960 "Veil Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik HA filter, 6 (left half) 7 (right half) * 5 min

NGC 6960 "Veil or Witch's Broom Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, 15 (left half) 9 (center) 18 (right half) * 2 min

NGC 6960 "Veil or Witch's Broom Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm, SBIG ST4000XCM, 32 * 5 min

NGC 6992 "Veil Nebula" in Cygnus

Orion ST-80, SBIG ST-7E
R=1.5*12, G=1.5*12, B=2.4*12, L=1.5*12 Min

NGC 6992 "Veil Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm f6, SBIG4000XCM, 5 min * 30

NGC 6960/6979/6992 "Veil Nebula" in Cygnus
Waning Moon 75% rose during session, never getting above the trees.

Orion Short ST-80mm f5, SBIG4000XCM, Two frame mosaic, each 10 min * 9

NGC 7293 "Helix Nebula" in Aquarius

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 10 min * 9

NGC 7380 Nebula in Cepheus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 10 min * 11

NGC 7635h "Bubble Nebula" in Cassiopiea

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 5 min * 12

M 52 Cluster, NGC 7635 "Bubble Nebula", NGC 7638 Nebula in Cassiopiea

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 41

NGC 7789 Cluster in Cassiopeia

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax istD, 2 min * 8

NGC 7789 Cluster in Cassiopeia

Meade 2080 8 in SCT, f/6.3 reducer, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 48

NGC 7822 Nebula in Cepheus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 6 min * 12

NGC 7822 Nebula in Cepheus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-4000XCM, 3 min * 38

IC 405 "Flaming Star Nebula" in Auriga

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter 6 min * 9

IC 410 Nebula in Auriga
Note the "Tadpole Nebulas" in the lower right

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter 15 min * 8

IC 443 "Jellyfish Nebula" in Gemini

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 15 min * 7

IC 443 "Jellyfish Nebula" in Gemini

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST4000XCM, 3 min * 18

Part of IC 1396A Nebula in Cepheus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, 10 min * 6

IC 1805 Cluster with Nebulosity in Cassiopiea

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter
Two frame mosaic each 15 min * 4 exp

IC 4756 Cluster in Scutum

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, 2 min * 4

IC 5070 "Pelican Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST4000XCM, 5 min * 24

Part of the IC 5070 "Pelican Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 10 min*7

IC 5070 "Pelican Nebula" in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST4000XCM, 5 min * 24

IC 5146 "Cocoon Nebula' in Cygnus

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, 10 min * 9

Refractor Images of other DSO Objects

SAC STK-2 Cluster in Cassiopeia

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, Mosaic Upper 60 sec * 6, lower 60 sec * 9

sh2-155 Nebula in Cassiopeia

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm refractor, SBIG ST-7E, Astronomik Ha filter, 10 min*15

Asterism Coathanger Cr399

Orion Short Tube 80, PENTAX K1000 piggyback, 4 min

Asterism Mini Coathanger in Ursa Minor

Orion Short Tube 80, SBIG ST-7E, 60 sec*4

Refractor Images of our Moon

Crescent Waxing Moon
28 hour old Moon taken by my wife Eleanor Andújar.

Orion ST-80 refractor, CoolPix 4300

Crescent Waxing Moon
Taken by Eleanor Andújar with her telescope.

Orion ST-80 refractor, CoolPix 4300, Scopetronix 25 mm

Crescent Waxing Moon
Taken by my wife Eleanor Andújar with her telescope.

Orion ST-80 refractor, CoolPix 4300, Scopetronix 25 mm

Waxing Moon

Stellarvue 80mm refractor, 2x Barlow, Pentax K100D DSLR

Gibbous Waxing Moon
Taken by my wife Eleanor Andújar with her NIKON CoolPIX 950.

Orion ST-80, Scopetronix 25mm EP

Gibbous Waxing Moon

Stellarvue 80mm refractor, CoolPix 4300, Scopetronix 25 mm

Full Moon

Stellarvue 80mm, Nikon Coolpix 885, Scopetronix 15 mm

Gibbous Waning Moon

Stellarvue 80mm refractor, 2x Barlow, Pentax K110D DSLR

Refractor Images of Comets

Comet Linear 2000/WM1

Orion Short Tube 80 piggyback, SBIG ST-7E, 30 sec * 12

Comet C/2006 M4 Swan

Stellarvue NightHawk 80mm, SBIG ST-7E, 5 Min * 11

Comet 17P/Holmes 11/11/07
The outer diameter has increased to 19.9 arcminutes.

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax K110D, 60 sec exp every 3 min, 16 frames

Comet C/2007 N3/Lulin 02/24/2009

Stellarvue Nighthawk, Pentax K110D, 60 sec exp, 32 frames

Refractor Images of Near Earth Object

Asteroid 2008 TT26 within Four Lunar Distances from Earth
Images every minute starting 10/24/08 01:14 EST
Angular speed is about 1 arcminute per minute

Stellarvue Nighthawk, SBIG ST-7E, 1 min * 11

Refractor Images of Planets

Venus 2009, phase 25%

Stellarvue Nighthawk 80f6, Barlow, Pentax K110D, 1/500 sec

Venus and Moon FILM
The dark side of Moon is lit by earthglow.

Orion ST-80, Pentax K1000, several seconds.

Venus, Mars, and Saturn (R to L) FILM
Close to perfect equilateral triangle May 5, 2002.

Orion ST-80, Pentax K1000, several seconds.

Saturn with five moons
Mouse over image to see the moon names

Stellarvue Nighthawk,Pentax K110D, 2x Barlow, 15 * 1 min

Refractor Images of Satellites

Four GeoSynchronous Satellites

Stellarvue 80mm, Pentax K100D, 1 min * 39

Four GeoSynchronous Satellites though tree branches

Stellarvue 80mm, Pentax K100D, 1 min * 3

Four GeoSynchronous Satellites

Stellarvue 80mm, Pentax K100D, 1 min * 10

Iridium Satellite 1999
Iridium flare of MAG 8.1 was the most intense small nightime object I'd seen.

Orion Short Tube 80 piggyback, Pentax K1000 film, 3 minute exposure

Asteroid 2005 YU55 less than one Lunar Distance from Earth
This 300 meter long MAG 14 object has been known since 2005
Images a few seconds apart 11/08/11 around 7 PM EST

Orion ST-80 Refractor, SBIG ST-4000XCM

Refractor Images of our Sun

My first image of Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10528

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10536?

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10540

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10551

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Sun Spots AR 10618, 10620

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Sun Spots AR 10621, 10618

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10652

Sun Spots

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Camera zoomed in showing group AR 10720

Sun Spots AR10756 (top) & 757

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Nikon CoolPix 850

Sun Spots AR10926 (top) & 927

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Scopetronix 15mm, Pentax K100D

Sun Spot groups 1339 (top) & 1338 plus 1340/1/2/3 Nov 2011

Orion ST-80, Orion Glass Filter, Pentax K100DS

Venus Transit of the Sun 2004

Venus Transit 6/8/2004 from Roxbury CT
The first sighting of the Sun was 10 minutes after dawn when
it peeked through the clouds. The haze was so dense you could
see Venus naked eye, and I snapped this shot without a filter.

5:34 EST, Orion ST-80, CoolPix 850, Scopetronix 16mm, No Solar Filter!

The Sun cleared the clouds just before 6 AM and
we had good viewing for 90 minutes

6:02 EST, Orion ST-80, CoolPix 850, Scopetronix 16mm, Orion glass filter

Venus moving along

6:26 EST, Orion ST-80, CoolPix 850, Scopetronix 16mm, Orion glass filter

Venus moving along

6:40 EST, Orion ST-80, CoolPix 850, Scopetronix 16mm, Orion glass filter

Venus moving along

7:06 EST, Orion ST-80, CoolPix 850, Scopetronix 16mm, Orion glass filter

Sunspots the day of the Venus Transit 2012
Just before the timer stopped and Venus appeared.

Return to Leo's Astronomy Page