The Beehive open star cluster or Messier44

 

Messier 44 The Beehive open star cluster in the constellation Cancer the Crab. A image compiled from a stack of lights or subs taken with the Observatory 127mm Meade Apo refractor.  Image credit: Kurt Thrust.

" The availability of much improved image processing software has enabled us to create a much improved image of this large and wonderful open star cluster. The Beehive is approximately 600 light years distant from Earth, so in astronomical terms a relatively close neighbour. It contains about a 1000 stars and although they include many  on the main sequence, there are also red giants and white dwarfs in the mix. Red giant and white dwarf stars represent the latter stages of stellar evolution. The central part of the cluster is approximately 23 light years in diameter. The Beehive Cluster has many similarities to the Hyades Cluster in the constellation Taurus, which include age and proper motion, . In 2012 two extrasolar planets were discovered orbiting two separate stars in M44. These planets were determined to be 'hot Jupiters' that is gas giant planets orbiting their stars at a very close distance. 

The Beehive Cluster can be seen with the naked eye from a dark location and presents as a small white cloud. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope at low magnification reveals a beautiful jewel of a star cluster. Cancer is a very dim constellation, so finding the Beehive can be difficult but is well worth the effort. Look for it in winter and spring between the bright constellations Leo Major(The Lion) and Gemini (The Twins). The view through binoculars is better than any image of it that I have seen"- Karl Segin out-reach coordinator at the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Map showing the location of our image in Cancer the Crab. Credit: Astrometry. net

The Seven Sisters

 

A combination image created from data collected over several years using different lens-telescope combinations.  The data was combined using Registar software and finished using Affinity Photo2. Pip Stakkert managed to bring out the reflection nebulosity for which this open star cluster is famous.

" The Pleiades is an open star cluster relatively close to us at 444 light years and within the Milky Way galaxy. The cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, sits within the constellation Taurus the Bull.  The Pleiades are easily visible to the naked eye from a dark location in the northern hemisphere. A person with good eyesight should be able to pick out seven of the brighter stars  and hence the name the 'Seven Sisters'. In late August the cluster is visible in the east after midnight but as autumn and winter advances it will be a constant presence in the night sky. Viewed through a pair of binoculars it is one of the prettiest sights in the night sky but you need to photograph it if you wish to see the blue reflection nebulosity. The cluster contains over a 1000 stars but is dominated by 10 or more hot B type blue luminous stars which formed within the last 100 million years. Reflection nebulae around the brightest stars were once thought to be left over material from their creation, but are now believed to be an unrelated cloud of dust in the interstellar medium through which the stars are currently moving. This dust cloud is estimated to be travelling at a speed of approximately 18 km/s relative to the stars in the cluster. Messier 45 is the closest Messier object to the Earth and has long been observed and used by ancient civilisation to mark the passing of seasons". - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Star map of the Pleiades open star cluster

By NASA, ESA and AURA/Caltech - Hubble Refines Distance to Pleiades Star Cluster (STScI-2004-20), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17899258

Location Map Credit :Wikipedia

The Cygnus Rift

Pip Stakkert really pushed the data obtained last week with our un-modded and modded Canon DSLR cameras. The Cygnus rift created by obscuring dust is flanked and pierced by glowing emission radiation from ionised gas.

" The Milky Way runs through the constellation Cygnus and diagonally through the Summer Triangle asterism created by the alpha stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. The small constellation Delphinus the dolphin can be seen to the left and above the star Altair. The 'Coathanger' asterism otherwise known as Brocchi's Cluster or Collinder 399 is an open star cluster which may be seen in the above image to the right and above Altair. This cluster of approximately 10 stars presents in the shape of a coat hanger and can be seen in a pair of low power binoculars". -Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

The Summer Triangle August 2023

 

The Summer Triangle created by stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. Compilation image captured with  un-modded and astro-modded Canon DSLRs. The lens used was an Sigma EX zoom widefield lens at f=14mm. 10x2minute RAW lights were captured with each camera at ISO800 which were mounted o a Star Adventurer EQ mount. The lights were stacked using Affinity Photo2 and combined using Registar software. The final image is a square crop of the much wider view shown below. 

" It is very nice to return home from Italy and get stuck into some serious astro-imaging. The other night we were blessed with an hour or two of clear, stable moonlight free night sky. Pipp Stakkert and I spared no time in setting up the Observatory 'mini-rig' and we managed to capture 40 minutes of photons from the Milky Way and the bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair which make up the asterism 'The Summer Triangle'." - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Sagittarius the archer

 

The constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius rising above the Adriatic. Canon IXUS compact camera. Image Credit Kurt Thrust

" Mrs Thrust and I have been married for 50 years and to celebrate this milestone spent 10 days in Lido de Jesolo, Italy. Consequently, I was able to witness the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius riding reasonably high above the southern horizon. Unfortunately most night were misty, there was a lot of light pollution and my compact pocket camera was hardly up to the challenge of astrophotography. This snap was the best I could manage in the circumstances. On our anniversary night Mrs Thrust wore a scarlet jump suit and look stunning. A memorable holiday by the Adriatic!" - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

The Perseid Meteor Shower an annual astronomical treat.

 

Previously un-published compilation of cropped images taken with the Jodrell Plank Observatory's mobile rig from Pakefield Cliffs Lowestoft in 2021.

" The night of the maximum Perseid Meteor display in 2021 was unaffected by moonlight and bad weather. The view from the cliffs at Pakefield provided a clear view to the east and towards Holland. Unfortunately, light pollution from buildings in Lowestoft and from ships and rigs on the North Sea was an issue, which required careful processing to overcome. 2021 provided an excellent display of Perseid Meteors and many more were seen than were captured by the camera. The data was captured using a Canon 600d DSLR and Sigma EX zoom wide-field zoom lens all mounted on a Star Adventurer EQ mount". - Kurt Thrust current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Auriga widefield

 

Auriga in the winter Milky Way.  Canon 600d DSLR at f=18mm on Star Adventurer EQ mount.

"The weather continues both wet and windy at the Jodrell Plank Observatory. Worse still the Jet Stream has now decided to sit overhead. If this continues, I will have to ask the staff to take unpaid leave whilst our resident engineer Jolene McSquint-Fleming carries out essential maintenance on our extensive astronomical equipment. 

Our imaging engineer, Pip Stakkert, has spent an hour or two reprocessing old data obtained during the winter. The area of sky in and around Auriga is full of stars and nebulosity".  -  Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.