<![CDATA[ScienceDownEast - ScienceDownEast Astrophotography - Recent Images (Latest images)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:53:18 -0300 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:53:18 -0300 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Zenphoto RSS Generator <![CDATA[SN2026dix Cropped (Super Nova SN2026dix)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dixCropped.jpg SN2026dix CroppedClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

Super Nova SN2026dix was first reported by Giancarlo Cortini on 2026/02/17.970 with a magnitude of 16.5. This image was taken using my Seestar S30Pro on March 10, 2026 from the St. Croix Observatory.

Total image time was 24.5 minutes after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Gibbous 54%below the horizon
Exposure147 x 10 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30Pro [3840 × 2160] IMX585
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30Pro EQ mode [Focal length 160, Aperture 30 mm, f/5.3]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterIR Cut
LocationSt. Croix Observatory.
Date2026-03-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch
CurveTransformation


Date: March 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dixCropped.jpg Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0300 <![CDATA[SN2026dix Annotated (Super Nova SN2026dix)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dixAnnotated.jpg SN2026dix AnnotatedClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

Super Nova SN2026dix was first reported by Giancarlo Cortini on 2026/02/17.970 with a magnitude of 16.5. This image was taken using my Seestar S30Pro on March 10, 2026 from the St. Croix Observatory.

Total image time was 24.5 minutes after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Gibbous 54% below the horizon
Exposure147 x 10 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30Pro [3840 × 2160] IMX585
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30Pro EQ mode [Focal length 160, Aperture 30 mm, f/5.3]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterIR Cut
LocationSt. Croix Observatory.
Date2026-03-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
Annotate Image Script


Date: March 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dixAnnotated.jpg Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0300 <![CDATA[SN2026dix Zoom (Super Nova SN2026dix)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dix-Zoom.jpg SN2026dix ZoomClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

Showing the super nova in an inset. from the original processed image. Super Nova SN2026dix was first reported by Giancarlo Cortini on 2026/02/17.970 with a magnitude of 16.5. This image was taken using my Seestar S30Pro on March 10, 2026 from the St. Croix Observatory.

Total image time was 24.5 minutes after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Gibbous 54% below the horizon
Exposure147 x 10 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30Pro [3840 × 2160] IMX585
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30Pro EQ mode [Focal length 160, Aperture 30 mm, f/5.3]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterIR Cut
LocationSt. Croix Observatory.
Date2026-03-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch
CurveTransformation
Assembled in PhotoShop


Date: March 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dix-Zoom.jpg Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0300 <![CDATA[SN2026dix stacked image (Super Nova SN2026dix)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dix.jpg SN2026dix stacked imageClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

Super Nova SN2026dix was first reported by Giancarlo Cortini on 2026/02/17.970 with a magnitude of 16.5. This image was taken using my Seestar S30Pro on March 10, 2026 from the St. Croix Observatory.

Total image time was 24.5 minutes after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Gibbous 54% below the horizon
Exposure147 x 10 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30Pro [3840 × 2160] IMX585
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30Pro EQ mode [Focal length 160, Aperture 30 mm, f/5.3]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterIR Cut
LocationSt. Croix Observatory.
Date2026-03-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch
CurveTransformation


Date: March 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=SN2026dix.jpg Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:35:27 -0300 <![CDATA[IC 434 S30Pro 114x30sec (NGC 2023 Horsehead Nebula and NGC 2024 Flame Nebulae)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=IC-434-S30Pro-114x30sec.jpg IC 434 S30Pro 114x30secClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) are two iconic deep-sky objects located in the constellation Orion, just east of Orion’s Belt near the bright star Alnitak (Zeta Orionis). Both nebulae lie within the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex and are situated at an approximate distance of 1,300–1,500 light-years from Earth. The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula composed of dense, cold molecular gas and dust that obscures the glowing hydrogen emission nebula IC 434 behind it. Its distinctive silhouette, resembling a horse’s head and neck, is created by thick dust lanes blocking visible light. The nebula spans roughly 3.5 light-years in height and is a region of active star formation, though much of this activity is hidden from view by the dense dust. The Flame Nebula, also known as NGC 2024, is an emission nebula illuminated primarily by the intense ultraviolet radiation from the nearby massive star Alnitak. This radiation ionizes surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow, while complex dark dust lanes crisscross the nebula, giving it its flame-like appearance. Embedded within the nebula is a cluster of very young stars, many of which are still shrouded in gas and dust, making them difficult to observe at visible wavelengths. [from AI generated output]

Total image time was about 1 hour after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Crescent 34%
Exposure114 x 30 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30Pro [3840 × 2160] IMX585
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30Pro EQ mode [Focal length 160, Aperture 30 mm, f/5.3]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterIR Cut
LocationLower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Date2026-03-04
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
MultiScaleAdaptiveStretch
HDRMultiScaleTransform
CurveTransformation


Date: March 08, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=IC-434-S30Pro-114x30sec.jpg Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[IC 434 S30Pro 114x30sec (IC 405 Flaming Star Nebula)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=IC-434-S30Pro-114x30sec.jpg IC 434 S30Pro 114x30sec
Date: March 08, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=IC-434-S30Pro-114x30sec.jpg Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:24:52 -0300 <![CDATA[NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Nebula (NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Nebula)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=NG2264-1.jpg NGC 2264 Christmas Tree NebulaClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

The NGC 2264 region, located in the constellation Monoceros, is a complex and beautiful area of active star formation that includes the Christmas Tree Cluster, the Cone Nebula, and the Fox Fur Nebula. Situated approximately 2,300–2,600 light-years from Earth, this region lies within one of the Milky Way’s rich stellar nurseries and spans roughly 30 light-years across. The Christmas Tree Cluster is an open cluster of very young, hot blue-white stars whose arrangement resembles the outline of a holiday tree when viewed in wide-field images. Many of these stars are only a few million years old, making this one of the younger visible clusters in our galaxy. Embedded within the same molecular cloud is the Cone Nebula, a dark, conical pillar of cold gas and dust extending about 7 light-years in length. The Cone Nebula is a region of ongoing star formation, where dense pockets of material are collapsing under gravity to form new stars. Intense radiation and stellar winds from nearby massive stars sculpt the surrounding gas, shaping the dramatic dark pillar against the glowing red hydrogen emission background. The surrounding Fox Fur Nebula is an emission and reflection nebula illuminated by the cluster’s young stars. Its intricate mix of glowing hydrogen and scattered blue light creates the appearance of soft, textured fur, adding depth and contrast to this dynamic star-forming complex. [from AI generated output]

Total image time was about 2 hours after culling 167 images to 123.

Moon PhaseWaning Crescent 34%
Exposure123 x 1 min
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30 [1920 x 1080] IMX662
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30 EQ mode [Focal length 150, Aperture 30 mm, f/5]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterLight pollution filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm)
LocationLower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Date2026-02-05 and 2026-02-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
StarXTerminator
GeneralizeHyperbolicStretch
Pixelmath
HDRMultiScaleTransform
CurveTransformation


Date: February 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=NG2264-1.jpg Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:17:59 -0400 <![CDATA[HorseHead Nebula dn Flame Nebula using Seestar S30 - about 2 hours exposure (NGC 2023 Horsehead Nebula and NGC 2024 Flame Nebulae)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=masterLight_BIN-1_1080x1920_EXPOSURE-10.00s_FILTER-LP_combined_RGB_drizzle_2x_MAS.jpg HorseHead Nebula dn Flame Nebula using Seestar S30 - about 2 hours exposureClick on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) are two iconic deep-sky objects located in the constellation Orion, just east of Orion’s Belt near the bright star Alnitak (Zeta Orionis). Both nebulae lie within the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex and are situated at an approximate distance of 1,300–1,500 light-years from Earth. The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula composed of dense, cold molecular gas and dust that obscures the glowing hydrogen emission nebula IC 434 behind it. Its distinctive silhouette, resembling a horse’s head and neck, is created by thick dust lanes blocking visible light. The nebula spans roughly 3.5 light-years in height and is a region of active star formation, though much of this activity is hidden from view by the dense dust. The Flame Nebula, also known as NGC 2024, is an emission nebula illuminated primarily by the intense ultraviolet radiation from the nearby massive star Alnitak. This radiation ionizes surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow, while complex dark dust lanes crisscross the nebula, giving it its flame-like appearance. Embedded within the nebula is a cluster of very young stars, many of which are still shrouded in gas and dust, making them difficult to observe at visible wavelengths. [from AI generated output]

Total image time was about 2 hours after culling some images.

Moon PhaseWaning Crescent 34%
Exposure269 x 10 sec + 77 x 1 min
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30 [1920 x 1080] IMX662
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30 EQ mode [Focal length 150, Aperture 30 mm, f/5]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterLight pollution filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm)
LocationLower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Date2026-02-05 and 2026-02-10
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
MultiScaleAdaptiveStretch
HDRMultiScaleTransform
CurveTransformation


Date: February 11, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=masterLight_BIN-1_1080x1920_EXPOSURE-10.00s_FILTER-LP_combined_RGB_drizzle_2x_MAS.jpg Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:04:24 -0400 <![CDATA[The Moon 2026 01 31 (Moon)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=Video_Stacked_Lunar_20260131-173755.jpg The Moon 2026 01 31
S30 Image

Note: click on the image to view it at the full resolution of the uploaded image, then click again for actual size.

Moon PhaseWaxing Gibbous 97%
Exposure
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30 [1920 x 1080] IMX662
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30 EQ mode [Focal length 150, Aperture 30 mm, f/5]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterNA
LocationLower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Date2026-01-31
ProcessingProcessed in the SeeStar app, PixInsight and Affinity Photo

Date: February 06, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=Video_Stacked_Lunar_20260131-173755.jpg Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[HorseHead Nebula dn Flame Nebula using Seestar S30 (NGC 2023 Horsehead Nebula and NGC 2024 Flame Nebulae)]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=masterLight_BIN-1_1080x1920_EXPOSURE-10.00s_FILTER-LP_combined_RGB_-1-.jpg HorseHead Nebula dn Flame Nebula using Seestar S30Click on the image to view it at full resolution, then click again for actual size.

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) are two iconic deep-sky objects located in the constellation Orion, just east of Orion’s Belt near the bright star Alnitak (Zeta Orionis). Both nebulae lie within the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex and are situated at an approximate distance of 1,300–1,500 light-years from Earth. The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula composed of dense, cold molecular gas and dust that obscures the glowing hydrogen emission nebula IC 434 behind it. Its distinctive silhouette, resembling a horse’s head and neck, is created by thick dust lanes blocking visible light. The nebula spans roughly 3.5 light-years in height and is a region of active star formation, though much of this activity is hidden from view by the dense dust. The Flame Nebula, also known as NGC 2024, is an emission nebula illuminated primarily by the intense ultraviolet radiation from the nearby massive star Alnitak. This radiation ionizes surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow, while complex dark dust lanes crisscross the nebula, giving it its flame-like appearance. Embedded within the nebula is a cluster of very young stars, many of which are still shrouded in gas and dust, making them difficult to observe at visible wavelengths. [from AI generated output]

Total image time was 40 minutes after culling 1 hr of exposures.

Moon PhaseWaning Gibbous 80%
Exposure240 x 10 sec
Gain200
CameraZWO SeeStar S30 [1920 x 1080] IMX662
OpticsZWO SeeStar S30 EQ mode [Focal length 150, Aperture 30 mm, f/5]
GuidingNA
ControllerNA
FilterLight pollution filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm)
LocationLower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Date2026-02-05
ProcessingProcessed in PixInsight.
PixInsight Processing
WeightedBatchPreprocessing Script [ 2x drizzle ]
BlurXTerminator
GraXpert
NoiseXTerminator
StarXTerminator
Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch on both the stars and starless images
HDRMultiScaleTransform on the Starless image
PixelMath to recombine the images
CurveTransformation


Date: February 06, 2026 ]]> https://sciencedowneast.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=Recent-Images.alb&image=masterLight_BIN-1_1080x1920_EXPOSURE-10.00s_FILTER-LP_combined_RGB_-1-.jpg Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0400