Saturday, April 11, 2020

Comet C/2019 Y4 Atlas falls apart?

A comparison between pictures of Comet C/2019 Y4 (Altas) from March 26 and yesterday, April 10 shows clearly a difference in brightness at the coma sight. Normally it was expected the comet would get brighter. However the last week the comet is getting weaker. This is clearly seen at the pictures. The reason is not 100% clear but the comet could be broken apart.


Comet C/2019 Y1 Atlas with TAL200K

The core of the comet C/2019 Y1 (Atlas) is visible from my pictures, taken yesterday April 10, 2020.
Picture taken with Nikon D7500 and TAL200K f/8.5 and setting ISO1600, 60s.


Globular Cluster M68

Globular Cluster Messier M68 is located in constellation Hydra and about 33000 light years away from Earth and thus still within our own galaxy, the Milky Way.
The cluster is very difficult to see as it's only 12° above the horizon.
Pictures were made with Nikon D7500 and TAL200K f/8.5. Setting ISO2000 and 12x45s exposure time. The moon was 92% and very low above the horizon.


Whirlpool Galaxy M51


Just before Moonrise I took some pictures of the Whirlpool Galaxy Messier M51. This galaxy is located in Canes Venatici and about 23 million lightyears from Earth.
Pictures taken with Nikon D7500 and TAL200K f/8.5 and setting ISO6400 21x60s (total exposure 21minutes). The mount was connected with Stellarium and camera connected with DigiCamControl Software. Raw pictures converted to DNG and stacking using DeepSkyStacker. Final editing with CS4.


Venus with TAL200K

On the evening of April 9th, Venus was observed using TAL200K f/8.5. As Venus is very bright (magnitude -4,2) it's difficult to see the phases of Venus. Using very low exposure time and ISO setting at 100, I was able to photograph current phase of Venus of about 41%.


Friday, April 10, 2020

Messier M82 with TAL200K

Galaxy Messier M82 with Nikon D7500 and TAL200K f/8.5. Setting ISO3200 and total exposure time of 31 minutes each picture 31x60s. Stacking with DeepSkyStacker and final editing using CS4.
DigiCamControl software used to increase exposure time.


Galaxy Messier M82 is located in constellation Ursa Major and about 12 million lightyears away from Earth.

Comet C/2019 Y4 Atlas with TAL200K Edited

Observation of Comet C/2019 Y4 Atlas with Nikon D7500 and TAL200K f/8.5. Setting ISO800 and 6 x 120s. No darks and stacking using DeepSkyStacker. Final editing with CS4.
Long exposure was realised using DigiCamControl Software and raw pictures converted to DNG files.