Author: hiranhsw

📸 Captured with:
• ASI 533MC Pro
• Samyang 135mm f/2.8
• IDAS LPS-D3 2” broadband filter
• ZWO ASI 120MM Guide scope
• Svbony SV165 Finder Scope
• ASIAIR Plus
• AZ-GTi

🌃 Location & Session Details:
• Gulpe, Westhavelland Dark Sky Preserve, Germany
• Bortle 3/4 skies
• Captured in Aug 2023
• Total Integration: 3h30min (300’x42)

This image was taken in Gulpe, Westhavelland Dark Sky Preserve, Germany at the annual WestHavelländer AstroTreff 2023. That was my first international star party and stayed there for 3 nights and had very clear skies for 2 nights. But early mornings there was a lot of humidity too. But overall a terrific experience and get to know so many wonderful people too.
I was staying in a two-person tent during those three days. And this is my tent under Milky Way.

Dive into the vastness of the cosmos with this breathtaking wide-angle shot of the Prawn Nebula, also known as IC 4628. Spanning a part of the sky almost as large as ten full moons, this image reveals the incredible expanse of one of the southern hemispher sky’s hidden gems.

🦐 The Prawn Nebula (IC 4628): Situated about 6,000 light-years away in the Scorpius constellation, the Prawn Nebula is a spectacular sight. It’s an emission nebula, meaning it glows brightly in the light of the young, hot stars within it. This vast cloud of gas and dust is a bustling nursery where new stars are born, lighting up their surroundings with radiant energy.

🌌 Surrounding Gas Clouds: This image also captures the beautiful and complex gas clouds that surround the Prawn Nebula. These clouds are part of the same stellar nursery, full of regions where future stars are slowly taking shape. The wide field of view allows us to appreciate the scale and beauty of these cosmic constructions, showcasing the intricate structures that are usually hidden from the naked eye.

📸 Captured with:
• ASI 533MC Pro
• Samyang 135mm f/2.8
• IDAS NBZ 2” narrowband filter (H-alpha and OIII)
• ZWO ASI 120MM Guide scope
• Svbony SV165 Finder Scope
• ASIAIR Plus
• AZ-GTi

🌃 Location & Session Details:
• Sri Lanka
• Bortle 4/5 skies
• Captured in Feb 2023
• Total Integration: 2h40min (300’x32)

A capture of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, alongside the ancient Messier 4 globular star cluster from Sri Lanka when I visited last year. Have few more images from southern sky, that I took while my stay in Sri Lanka last year, will be sharing in the coming weeks.

☁️ Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex: This vibrant and colorful cloud complex is one of the most photogenic star-forming regions in the sky. A rich tapestry of blue reflection nebulae, red emission nebulae, and dark absorption features creates a mesmerizing visual feast. It’s a region bustling with stellar birth, marked by the interplay of light, dust, and gas.

✨ Messier 4 (M4): In stark contrast, the nearby Messier 4 is one of the oldest known globular clusters. Located approximately 7,200 light-years away, M4 is a tight spherical grouping of stars, a relic from the early days of our galaxy. This cluster offers a glimpse into the early history of the Milky Way, showcasing the evolution of stars over billions of years.

This image is a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of our universe.

📸 Captured with:
• ASI 533MC Pro
• Samyang 135mm f/2.8
• IDAS NBZ 2” narrowband filter (H-alpha and OIII)
• ZWO ASI 120MM Guide scope
• Svbony SV165 Finder Scope
• ASIAIR Plus
• AZ-GTi

🌃 Location & Session Details:
• Sri Lanka
• Bortle 4/5 skies
• Captured in Feb 2023
• Total Integration: 5h25min (300’x65)

This was a test target to check the performance of my new Antlia Triband RGB Ulta filter. And this was a very straightforward forward simple post process too. I’m quite pleased with how the final result turned out.

📸 Captured with:
• ASI 533MC Pro
• Askar FRA500
• Antlia Triband RGB Ulta
• ASI 220MM Guide cam
• SVBONY 106 50mm Guide scope
• NINA
• AM5

🌃 Location & Session Details:
• Berlin, Spandau
• Bortle 7/8 skies
• Captured in Nov 2023
• Total Integration: 1h50min (300’x22)