The Constellation Orion at 50mm

 

Orion imaged with an astro-modded Canon 200d DSLR, a triband filter and a Canon F1.6 f=50mm fixed lens. Image Credit: Kurt Thrust.

"The constellation Orion is truly magnificent at this time of year, when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. As Orion sits within the field of view of a 50mm lens attached to the Observatory's DSLR cameras, I decided to see if I could capture Orion whole in a series of one frame shots. There is an obvious trade off in the quality of the star images, in particular a number of aberrations affect the stars toward  the edges of the field of view. However, we all agreed that the overall visual impact of the cropped image out weighed  the downside in star quality. The image was created from a stack of 45 x 1minute exposures (or subs) taken at ISO1600. The Moon, now just past 'First Quarter', was an issue, which was largely resolved by the use of a 'Triband Filter', which selectively limits the passage of light from the sky to the camera sensor, allowing only photons to pass within 3 designated wavelength bands". - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

First Quarter Moon in the New Year 2025

 

A video clip captured at F6 using a QHY5iii462c planetary camera and stacked and processed using Affinity Photo 2.5, AS!4  and AstroClean - Image credit: Pip Stakkert.

Crescent Moon and Venus Conjunction from 03-01-2025. Composite image compiled from images captured with a Canon 600d DSLR and a 135 mm. Samyang lens. Credit: Kurt Thrust.

"Nice way to start the new year with our nearest celestial neighbour the beautiful new Moon" - Joel Cairo.

The Best Gas Giants from the Jodrell Plank Observatory 2024

 

 127mm Mead Apo refractor, x3 Televue Barlow lens and a QHY5111462c planetary camera. Composite image (not to scale) Credit Pip Stakkert.

Transit and shadow transit of Europa - Shadow transit next the Great Red Spot - Moon Io far right. Credit: Kurt Thrust

Saturn with it's rings rapidly closing from Earth's perspective. The Saturnian moons; Tethys, Enceladus and Dione far upper right. 

" 2024 was not a great year for imaging the planets. The atmosphere was often turbulent and Saturn in particular was low near our southern horizon.  The rings of Saturn as viewed from the planet Earth have been closing (inclined at a small angle) for some time and next year will virtually disappear in our line of sight. The above images are the best we captured of the two gas giants in 2024". - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Comparative images of Jupiter taken with two different QHY planetary cameras in 2018 and 2024. Credit: Pip Stakkert.

" It is well documented, that the Great Red Spot, an enormous anticyclone in the Jovian clouds, has been shrinking in size for a number of years. This image appears to show the opposite! Having inspected these two images carefully we have concluded that this anomaly is the result of perspective, real changes in GRS colour saturation, colour sensitivity differences between the two cameras used and data software processing changes. Science and pretty pictures don't mix young Skywalker!" - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Mysterious Saturn - Kurt's favourite planet.

The planet Saturn amongst the stars of the constellation Aquarius.

Christmas at the UK's most easterly Observatory.

 

" The Jodrell Plank Observatory will be closed over the Christmas Holiday but we hope to be back in the New Year with a new bit of astro-kit on display. Thanks to all our readers around the world and we hope you will join us again in 2025". - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.                         

Messier 45 in the Constellation Taurus

 

The Pleiades open star cluster visible within the stars of Taurus. Image Credit: Pip Stakkert

"Last night there was a three hour break in the clouds over Oulton Broad and Messier45, or the Pleiades open star cluster, was visible above the Observatory. As we have never imaged this target at a low to intermediate focal length, we decided to give it a go. The image is from a stack of 1 minute and 2 minute exposures at ISO1600. Just over 2 hours of data in total was used to create the image. The equipment employed was: a modded Canon 200d DSLR, a triband filter and a Samyang 135mm F2 lens, (the F ratio was increased by using filter rings). The cluster is quite close to us at 444 light years and is clearly visible to the naked eye on a dark and clear winter's night. The 'reflection nebulosity' is being created by starlight reflected from a cloud of gas, which the hot blue cluster stars are currently moving through. The reflection nebula cannot be seen with the naked eye but if you can see and count seven stars you have excellent eyesight". - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

'The Seven Sisters' reprocess, rotate and crop. Image Credit: Kurt Thrust

" In the end, Messier45 is all about the nebulous gas cloud the cluster is currently moving through. I therefore asked Kurt Thrust to reprocess the data and emphasise the 'wispy nebulosity' which surrounds the brighter elements" - Carl Segine  Outreach Officer at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

'It's all about the gas' Image Credit: Kurt Thrust.

The remarkable software - StarSpikes4 Pro - Adding lustre to our clusters!

 

Messier 45, The Pleiades or Seven Sisters. Imaged from the JPO. Data credit Pip Stakkert. Processing Credit: Kurt Thrust.

Castor and Pollux Constellation Gemini. Imaged from the JPO. Data credit: Pip Stakkert. Processing credit: Kurt Thrust.

Widefield version Messier 45, The Pleiades or Seven Sisters. Imaged from the JPO. Data credit: Pip Stakkert. Processing Credit: Kurt Thrust.

Messier 31 Group of Galaxies in the Constellation Andromeda. Imaged from the JPO. Combined image, using data captured with a 66mm Doublet Refractor and a 135mm Samyang lens.(Canon 600d DSLR). Data Credit: Pip Stakkert. Processing Credit: Kurt Thrust.

" Many thanks to friend of the JPO, Prof Greg Parker, for recommending the excellent software StarSpikes4 Pro. The application of this software is a 'gamechanger' in adding heightened sparkle and colour to stars. Literally StarSpikes4 Pro adds lustre to our clusters"! - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory

Caldwell 14 or NGC 869 and NGC 884 on an autumnal night over Lowestoft. - 'The data rides again'!

The Double Cluster - widefield. Credit: Pip Stakkert.

The Double Cluster cropped. Credit: Pip Stakkert.

" Pip Stakkert wasn't at all pleased with Kurt Thrust's processing of the data in our last post. He has been badgering me all week to let him have a go at reprocessing the data and today I finally relented and let him have his turn. In my opinion these images are far superior to Kurt's". - Joel Cairo CEO at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.