Frank AdlerDec 29
The Cave Nebula
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Hidden in the constellation Cepheus, about 2,400 light-years away, lies this subtle but fascinating stellar nursery. The iconic “cave” shape is created by dense cosmic dust pushing into glowing hydrogen gas, sculpted by intense ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars.

What looks calm and quiet is in fact a region of ongoing star formation. Fine dust filaments, dark nebulae and faint reflection regions reveal the complex interaction between gas, dust and radiation. Objects like Sh2-155 are challenging to capture, but they reward long integrations with incredible depth and structure.

A silent reminder that even the darkest regions of space are full of creation.

Scope: Askar 103APO
Lens: Askar 0.6x Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-Band RGB Ultra
Mount: SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5-GT
Guiding: SkyWatcher Evoguide 50ED with ZWO ASI 224MC
Controller: ZWO ASIAir Pro
Focusser: ZWO EAF

Integration time: 9hrs 45min

Full version and print available at:
https://adfr.io/astro/20251228_sh2-155/

#astrophotography #deepsky #nebula #cavenebula #sh2155 #space #cosmos #universe #stars #nightphotography
#longexposure #spacephotography #astronomy #astrophoto #stargazing #science #nightsky #celestial #hydrogenalpha #hubblepalette
Stella-Luna ObservatoryOct 5

Recent Solar adventures

A full-disk image of Sun, as recorded in hydrogen-alpha light. Visible are two large sunspots, several serpentine filaments, and prominences that appear around the star’s limb. Credit: Stella-Luna Observatory / James Guilford

October 3, 2025 — We had been having quit a lot of trouble lately, recording data and reproducing images of Sun with prominences. There was some early success but even those images were a struggle to produce. Taking a look at suggested camera settings found in an article on solar imaging, one thing stood out — gain! We had nudged the camera’s gain setting upward and that’s not helpful and certainly not recommended; the setting should be very low or even zero! A few adjustments in data capture parameters was all it took to make a big difference in image processing and results!

Sun’s northwest quadrant, as recorded in hydrogen-alpha light. Visible are several filaments, as three prominences appear along the star’s limb. The “peach fuzz” appearance of the edge of the solar disk is caused by the presence of innumerable spicules or small prominences.

We’re very pleased with Barlow-boosted views, shown here, though we’re still having some issues with achieving even lighting across whole-disk views — just can’t seem to get them tuned right with the Coronado SolarMax III. Visual observing was also very good, especially with the TeleVue 10mm eyepiece. October 3 conditions: Clear sky, temperature of 74°F, light southeast wind.

A close-up view of two large sunspots, as seen in hydrogen-alpha light. Solar plasma follows the intense and curved lines of magnetic force to highlight the turmoil in the vicinity of the spots.

#2025 #astronomy #astrophotography #chromosphere #hydrogenAlpha #prominences #solar #sun #sunspots

Unofficial PetaPixel BotSep 18, 2025
This is the First-Ever Photo of Sun’s Chromosphere and a Rocket Launch https://petapixel.com/2025/09/18/this-is-the-first-ever-photo-of-suns-chromosphere-and-a-rocket-launch/ #astrophotography #AndrewMcCarthy #hydrogenalpha #chromosphere #Spotlight #Features #hydrogen #Space #sun
This is the First-Ever Photo of Sun's Chromosphere and a Rocket Launch

Special.

PetaPixel
Unofficial PetaPixel BotJul 2, 2024
The E-M1 Mark III Astro Perfectly Sees Hα Radiation for Vivid Celestial Photos https://petapixel.com/2024/07/02/the-e-m1-mark-iii-astro-perfectly-sees-h%ce%b1-radiation-for-vivid-celestial-photos/ #omsystemem1markiiiastro #hydrogenalpharadiation #astrophotography #hydrogenalpha #Equipment #omsystem #olympus #halpha #astro #News
The E-M1 Mark III Astro Perfectly Sees Hα Radiation for Vivid Celestial Photos

Allows for the capture of vivid red celestial images.

PetaPixel
Justin QuadeFeb 28, 2024
#solarphotography #astrophotography #hydrogenalpha
Kevin M. GillOct 10, 2023
The Sun today in hydrogen alpha. Processed with limb darkening correction and in natural/inverted chromosphere luminance. #sun #hydrogenalpha #space #science #zwoasi #daystarfilters
Kevin M. GillOct 2, 2023
The Sun today in hydrogen alpha. Processed in natural and inverted chromosphere luminance. #sun #hydrogenalpha #space #science
Kevin M. GillJun 20, 2023

The Sun today in hydrogen alpha. Processed in natural and inverted luminance.

#Sun #hydrogenalpha #space #Science

Kevin M. GillJun 18, 2023

The Sun today in hydrogen alpha. Processed in inverted and natural chromosphere luminance.

#Sun #HydrogenAlpha #Space #Science

Kevin M. GillJun 16, 2023
The Sun today in hydrogen alpha. Processed in natural and inverted luminance. Where I typically use Photoshop and Topaz to process these, I am evaluating PixInsight for solar image processing. This is pretty decent and I’ve yet to learn how to use it…
#Sun #hydrogenalpha #daystarfilters #zwoasi #star #space #science