Imaging Projects

In this blog, I will share the results of all of my imaging projects. The newest will be at the top and the oldest will be further down the stack. Going back in time here is interesting - some of my early stuff was pretty rough - but I did not see it that way at the time - I was thrilled to get anything back that looked like an image! Hopefully, you will see how my work has progressed with time!

Messier 27 - A Reprocess of My Dumbbell Nebula Data in SHO - (10.25 Hours)
Patrick A. Cosgrove Patrick A. Cosgrove

Messier 27 - A Reprocess of My Dumbbell Nebula Data in SHO - (10.25 Hours)

This imaging project is not a recapture of data for M27 - the Dumbell Nebula. Rather it is an effort to reprocess old data using new tools and new processing methods to address some concerns I had about the original image - where I thought that the stars were bloated and unsharp, and that I thought I should be able to bring out more detail in the amazing outer gas shells that narrowband imaging shows for this target.

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IC 1396/1396A - The Elephant's Trunk Nebula
Patrick A. Cosgrove Patrick A. Cosgrove

IC 1396/1396A - The Elephant's Trunk Nebula

IC 1396, also known as The Elephant Trunk Nebula is rich region emission nebulae and dark dust regions. Located in the constellation Cepheus, the Lion Nebula is roughly 2400 light-years away.

This image was taken on the Askar FRA400 Platform with only 3 hours of exposure in narrowband - and was the first image where the FRA was used for portable operations on a trip to North Carolina.

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DWB 111/119 - The Propeller Nebula in SHO - 11.9 hours
Patrick A. Cosgrove Patrick A. Cosgrove

DWB 111/119 - The Propeller Nebula in SHO - 11.9 hours

DWB 111/119 is known as the Propeller nebula and located in the constellation of Cygnus, actually part of the Cygnus X complex. This nebula is very faint and was captured with an integrated time just short of 12 hours with narrowband and has been rendered in the SHO Hubble Palette. Extensive processing notes are included with this post.

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Messier 27 - The Dumbbell Nebula in Narrowband - 10.25 Hours
Patrick A. Cosgrove Patrick A. Cosgrove

Messier 27 - The Dumbbell Nebula in Narrowband - 10.25 Hours

Messier 27 is the well know and often photographed Dumbbell Nebula located about 1200 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula. This is the third time that I have imaged this object - and this one stands out because it was taken in narrowband with over 10.25 hours of integration! It reveals details that I have rarely seen associated with M27.

This was shot with the AP130 platform using the ZWO ASI2600MM-Pro Camera.

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SH2-132 The Lion Nebula in SHO (8.33 hours)
Patrick A. Cosgrove Patrick A. Cosgrove

SH2-132 The Lion Nebula in SHO (8.33 hours)

SH2-132, also known as The Lion Nebula, is a rich HII region with star clusters, emission nebulae, and dark dust regions. Located in the southern portion of the constellation Cepheus, the Lion Nebula is roughly 10,00 light-years away in the Perseus Arm of the MilkyWay Galaxy. This is a very faint and challenging target.

This image was taken on the Askar FRA400 Platform with 8.33 hours of exposure in narrowband,

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