Astrophotography Collection

This gallery features an ever-growing collection of my astrophotography, including deep-sky objects, planetary captures, and wide-field nightscapes. Most were captured from my observatory in Pecos, New Mexico—under some of the darkest skies in the Southwest—but a few early images trace back to my time in Blue Ridge, Georgia, where this journey first began. Each represents hours of patient work at the telescope and behind the screen, chasing light from across the universe.

From star clusters and glowing nebulae to galaxies far beyond our own, deep-sky astrophotography reveals the rich structure and detail of objects that often appear as faint smudges — or are invisible — to the naked eye. With long exposures, filters, and careful processing, these images uncover the hidden beauty of the cosmos from New Mexico’s dark and transparent skies.

M81: Bode's Galaxy

Captured on May 7th, 2014 at Blue Ridge Observatory, this image of M81 — also known as Bode’s Galaxy — was the very first deep-sky photo I ever took with a dedicated astronomy camera. Though it has its flaws, it marked the beginning of my astrophotography journey.

  • Object Type: Galaxy
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: Luminance only
  • Camera: STF-8300M, ST-i OAG
  • Exposure: 5 x 300 sec, 3×3 bin
  • Seeing: Good
  • Processing: Nebulosity, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: This is the first image I ever captured with my DSO camera. It’s not sharp, guiding was poor, the stars are not round, I didn’t capture enough subframes, and it’s not processed well but it’s my first DSO image ever.

M3: Globular Cluster

Captured on May 20th, 2014, at Blue Ridge Observatory, this image of M3 — a densely packed globular cluster — was the very first color image I ever took with my deep-sky camera. Compared to my earlier attempts, this one showed clear improvement in tracking, focus, and overall processing. It marked a pivotal moment in my learning curve and remains a milestone in my astrophotography timeline.

  • Object Type: Globular Cluster
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: LRGB (color)
  • Camera: STF-8300M, ST-i OAG
  • Exposure: L 5×120 sec, RGB 4×120 sec, all 3×3 bin
  • Seeing: Fair (Moon ½ full)
  • Processing: Nebulosity, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: My first color image. This one came out much better. Focus is decent and color looks natural. Tracking is good and the stars are round. I didn’t overprocess the color as I’ve seen in a lot of versions of M3, so it’s more subtle.

M27: Dumbbell Nebula

Captured on September 18th, 2015, at Blue Ridge Observatory, this image of M27 — also known as the Dumbbell Nebula — marked a noticeable leap forward in my astrophotography skills. With strong tracking, sharp focus, and natural color balance, it became my best image up to that point. Despite some dewing midway through the session, the result held up remarkably well and reflected growing confidence in both capture and processing.

  • Object Type: Planetary Nebula
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: LRGB (color)
  • Camera: STF-8300M, ST-i OAG
  • Exposure: L 10×60 sec, RGB 10×60 sec, all 3×3 bin
  • Seeing: Good (Moon ⅓)
  • SQM Reading: 20.29, NELM: 5.7
  • Processing: Nebulosity only
  • Thoughts: My best image to that point. Tracking and focus were very good throughout the entire session. Some dewing occurred midway through, but didn’t drastically affect the quality.

NGC 7331: Deer Lick Group

Captured on October 14th, 2015, at Blue Ridge Observatory, this image of NGC 7331 — the brightest galaxy in the Deer Lick Group — highlighted a night of excellent sky conditions and steady tracking. Though the companion galaxies appear faint and distant, the detail in the primary spiral galaxy came through clearly, making it one of my strongest images from this era.

  • Object Type: Spiral Galaxy
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Reducer: 0.7x Focal Reducer
  • Filter/Lens: LRGB (color)
  • Camera: STF-8300M, ST-i OAG
  • Exposure: L 10×180 sec, RGB 6×180 sec, all 3×3 bin
  • Seeing: Excellent (No Moon)
  • SQM Reading: 20.53, NELM: 5.8
  • Processing: Nebulosity/Photoshop
  • Thoughts: Excellent shot of NGC 7331. Guiding and focus were very good. Minor dew by the time I got to the blue filter shots. There isn’t as much detail as I hoped for in the other galaxies in the group, but they are much further away. Overall, I’m pleased with the outcome.

NGC 7380 / Sh2-142: Flying Horse (Wizard Nebula)

Captured on October 16th, 2015, at Blue Ridge Observatory, this image of NGC 7380 — also known as the Flying Horse or Wizard Nebula — pushed the limits of my equipment’s field of view. Though a tighter fit than ideal, the image revealed fine structural details that smaller scopes might miss. This session marked my first experiment using an H-alpha filter for luminance, yielding a richly textured look despite challenging guiding near the celestial pole.

  • Object Type: Open Cluster/Nebula
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Reducer: 0.7x Focal Reducer
  • Filter/Lens: LRGB (color)
  • Camera: STF-8300M, ST-i OAG
  • Exposure: HA 11×180 sec, R 6×180 sec, G 5×180 sec, B 6×180 sec, all 3×3 bin
  • Seeing: Excellent (Moon Below Horizon)
  • SQM Reading: 20.4, NELM: 5.8
  • Processing: Nebulosity/Photoshop
  • Thoughts: This one was hard to get with my scope given the small field of view, even with the focal reducer. It would be better framed with a smaller scope with a wider field of view, but I like the level of detail captured that you would miss with a smaller scope. Guiding was challenging given the proximity to the north celestial pole, but the stars are decently round. This was the first image where I’ve used an HA filter for the luminance channel.

Planets may be close by in cosmic terms, but capturing their fine details requires a different set of techniques. These high-resolution images of planets, the Moon, and the Sun were taken using short exposures, stacking, and precise processing to reveal atmospheric bands, surface features, and transient events.

Transit of Venus

On June 5, 2012, I captured this rare celestial alignment as Venus passed directly between the Earth and the Sun—a phenomenon that won’t occur again until 2117. Taken through a solar filter in broad daylight, the image reveals the small black disk of Venus crossing the solar surface.

  • Scope: Meade LX 200
  • Filter/Lens: Solar (light reduction)
  • Camera: Nikon D40
  • Exposure: 1/250
  • Seeing: Daytime – Clear
  • Processing: Brightness/Contrast only
  • Thoughts: Focus is a little soft, but overall not a bad attempt.

Jupiter

Captured on February 21, 2014, this was my very first attempt at planetary imaging. Despite soft focus and less-than-ideal seeing, it was an exciting introduction to the world of high-magnification captures of our solar system’s giants.

  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: Celestron 2.5x Barlow
  • Camera: Orion StarShoot 5MP
  • Exposure: Sub-second, Half-Res
  • Seeing: Fair to poor
  • Processing: RegiStax. 50 stacked images, Wavelet, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: Focus is soft and seeing wasn’t great, but it was my first attempt.

Jupiter

Taken on March 30, 2015, this Jupiter image benefited from excellent seeing conditions near the zenith. A sharper focus and more frames stacked helped produce a clearer result compared to my earlier attempts.

  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: None
  • Camera: Orion StarShoot 5MP
  • Exposure: Sub-second, Half-Res
  • Seeing: Good to Excellent
  • Processing: RegiStax. 500 stacked images, Wavelet, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: Near zenith. Focus is pretty sharp.

Mars

Captured on May 7, 2014, this early attempt at imaging the Red Planet shows the limits of magnification and seeing, but also marks another step in the journey. The detail is soft, but recognizable, and the image captures the planet’s reddish hue well despite the modest scale.

  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400 HD
  • Filter/Lens: Celestron 2.5x Barlow
  • Camera: Orion StarShoot 5MP
  • Exposure: Sub-second, Half-Res
  • Seeing: Fair to poor
  • Processing: RegiStax. 1000 stacked images, Wavelet, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: Focus is soft. Barlow is not quite powerful enough to capture a larger image but I could boost resolution for next attempt. A 5x Barlow would be perfect.

Saturn

Photographed on June 16, 2014, this image of Saturn was taken under fair conditions with some atmospheric haze. The planet was positioned low in the sky, which limited clarity and contrast. A higher elevation would have offered better seeing, but the iconic rings are still clearly visible.

  • Object Type: Planet
  • Scope: CGE PRO 1400HD
  • Filter/Lens: None
  • Camera: Orion StarShoot 5MP
  • Exposure: Sub-second, Half-Res
  • Seeing: Fair – some haze
  • Processing: RegiStax. 500 stacked images, Wavelet, Photoshop
  • Thoughts: Low in the sky and would be better if closer to zenith.

These wide-field images capture the broader canvas of the night sky — aurorae, constellations, the Milky Way, meteor showers, and sweeping vistas that blend landscape and starlight. They’re taken with DSLR and mirrorless cameras on trackers or tripods, often right here in New Mexico’s high desert terrain.

Aurora Over Pecos

Captured on October 10, 2024, these wide-field images reveal a stunning display of auroral activity as seen from Pecos, New Mexico—an incredibly rare sight at this latitude. The vivid pink, red, and green hues were the result of a powerful geomagnetic storm that made headlines across the country.

  • Object Type: Aurora Borealis
  • Location: Pecos, New Mexico
  • Camera: iPhone 14 Pro (Night Mode)
  • Exposure: Handheld, automatic night mode
  • Seeing: Excellent geomagnetic conditions (G3 storm)
  • Processing: Minimal – brightness, contrast, clarity
  • Thoughts: An unforgettable night in Pecos. I never expected to witness aurora this far south. Despite using a phone camera, the colors and structure came through remarkably well, thanks to the power of the iPhone’s night mode and clear skies.

Aurora Over Pecos

Captured on October 10, 2024, these wide-field images reveal a stunning display of auroral activity as seen from Pecos, New Mexico—an incredibly rare sight at this latitude. The vivid pink, red, and green hues were the result of a powerful geomagnetic storm that made headlines across the country.

  • Object Type: Aurora Borealis
  • Location: Pecos, New Mexico
  • Camera: iPhone 14 Pro (Night Mode)
  • Exposure: Handheld, automatic night mode
  • Seeing: Excellent geomagnetic conditions (G3 storm)
  • Processing: Minimal – brightness, contrast, clarity
  • Thoughts: An unforgettable night in Pecos. I never expected to witness aurora this far south. Despite using a phone camera, the colors and structure came through remarkably well, thanks to the power of the iPhone’s night mode and clear skies.

Astrophotography has never been more accessible. The images in this gallery were all taken with the SeeStar S50—an all-in-one smart telescope that makes capturing deep-sky objects easier than ever, even for complete beginners. From my backyard in Pecos, New Mexico, this compact scope has delivered surprisingly impressive results with minimal setup and at a very affordable price. While the image quality doesn’t rival dedicated astrophotography rigs in sharpness or detail, the convenience and speed of the SeeStar make it a powerful tool for casual observing and quick captures under dark skies. Its fully automated tracking, focus, and real-time image stacking mean that beautiful astrophotos are just a few taps away—even on a smartphone or tablet.

Sun in Active Phase

Captured on February 23, 2025, from Pecos, New Mexico, this daytime image of the Sun reveals a vivid display of sunspot groups across the solar disk. Taken with the SeeStar S50’s built-in solar filter, it demonstrates just how accessible solar imaging has become—even for amateurs. While the resolution and flexibility can’t match larger dedicated solar setups, the SeeStar provides a safe and surprisingly detailed view of our nearest star at the press of a button.

  • Object: Sun
  • Capture Date: February 23, 2025
  • Location: Pecos, New Mexico
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Filter: Integrated Solar Filter
  • Camera: Built-in Sensor
  • Exposure: Auto (Seestar Processed)
  • Seeing: Daytime – Clear
  • Processing: In-app capture and contrast enhancement
  • Notes: A quick capture of the active Sun showing multiple sunspot groups. The SeeStar S50’s solar filter makes solar imaging safe and easy.

M13: The Great Hercules Cluster

This 4-minute exposure of M13, the brightest globular cluster in the Northern Hemisphere, was captured with the SeeStar S50 from Pecos, New Mexico, on May 10, 2025. Despite the short integration time, the dense core and surrounding halo of stars are cleanly resolved, showcasing what’s possible with this compact all-in-one setup. While the field of view is narrow and finer detail is limited compared to larger rigs, the ease of setup and excellent tracking make it a powerful option for quick deep sky grabs like this.

  • Object Type: Globular Cluster
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated Internal Filters
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 4 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: Automatic In-Camera Stacking
  • Thoughts: Nice and clean result for a quick session. The core is tight and well-focused, and star color is surprisingly well rendered considering the limited exposure time. Excellent performance for such a small device.

M27: Dumbbell Nebula

This striking 4-minute capture of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) was taken with the SeeStar S50 on May 13, 2025, from Pecos, New Mexico. Despite the brief integration time, the characteristic bipolar structure and soft hues of this planetary nebula stand out beautifully. It’s an impressive result considering the simplicity of the setup and no post-processing.

  • Object Type: Planetary Nebula
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated Internal Filters
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 4 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: Automatic In-Camera Stacking
  • Thoughts: A clean and satisfying result with no processing effort. The classic shape is clearly visible and there’s surprising depth given the short integration. The SeeStar handled this target with ease.

M42: The Orion Nebula

Captured on January 2, 2025, from Pecos, New Mexico, this 2-minute exposure of the Orion Nebula (M42) with the SeeStar S50 shows off the intense central glow of one of the most iconic star-forming regions in the night sky. Even with minimal exposure time and no post-processing, the bright core and surrounding gas structure are already visible—an impressive result for such a compact system.

  • Object Type: Emission Nebula
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated Internal Filters
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 2 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: Automatic In-Camera Stacking
  • Thoughts: While the exposure time was short, the result still manages to reveal the Trapezium region and wisps of the nebula’s intricate gas clouds. With more integration time, this could be a stunning widefield capture.

M51: The Whirlpool Galaxy

Captured on a crisp night in Pecos, this 5-minute stacked image of M51—the Whirlpool Galaxy—was taken with the SeeStar S50. Though the focal length of the SeeStar is relatively short, and thus M51 appears small in the field of view, the iconic spiral structure and companion galaxy NGC 5195 are still clearly visible. This shot highlights the capability of the SeeStar even when imaging distant and compact targets.

  • Object Type: Interacting Spiral Galaxy Pair
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated Internal Filters
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 5 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: Automatic In-Camera Stacking
  • Thoughts: M51 is small in the SeeStar’s wide field due to its modest focal length, but the detail it manages to capture in just five minutes is impressive. With longer integration and post-processing, the fainter tidal features could be brought out even further.

M100: Grand Spiral in Virgo

This image of Messier 100 was captured with the SeeStar S50 in a 4-minute stacked exposure. M100 is a beautiful grand design spiral galaxy located in the Virgo Cluster. Like other small and distant targets, it appears relatively small in the SeeStar’s wide field of view, but even in this brief capture, the core structure and delicate arms are discernible.

This shot highlights the capability of the SeeStar even when imaging distant and compact targets.

  • Object Type: Grand Design Spiral Galaxy (Virgo Cluster)
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated Internal Filters
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 4 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: In-camera stacking with minimal post-processing
  • Thoughts: Despite M100’s small apparent size in the field due to the SeeStar’s short focal length, this shot still captures its distinct spiral structure and even a few background galaxies. This kind of target pushes the limits of the SeeStar and shows what’s possible with careful framing and timing.

NGC 6888: The Crescent Nebula

This short 2-minute exposure reveals the faint arc of NGC 6888, also known as the Crescent Nebula, in the constellation Cygnus. Captured with the SeeStar S50, this object demonstrates just how much subtle hydrogen emission the little scope can detect, even in a short capture.

  • Object Type: Emission Nebula (Wolf-Rayet shell)
  • Catalog Name: NGC 6888 (Crescent Nebula)
  • Constellation: Cygnus
  • Scope: SeeStar S50
  • Reducer: N/A
  • Filter/Lens: Integrated narrowband filter (internal)
  • Camera: Internal Camera
  • Exposure: 2 minutes (stacked)
  • Seeing: Not Recorded
  • SQM Reading: N/A
  • Processing: In-camera stacking with very light post-processing
  • Thoughts: The Crescent Nebula is notoriously faint and challenging to capture without narrowband filters. It’s impressive that even a short 2-minute stack from the SeeStar can bring out its distinct arc of ionized gas against a rich Milky Way star field. Longer integration would greatly improve contrast and detail, but this result already shows what’s possible with minimal effort.

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