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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography
@waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
800 followers 260 following 220 posts
Amateur astrophotographer enjoying the hobby on Cape Cod. All photos were taken by me in my wife's garden unless otherwise noted. waltwatsonastro.com
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Jan 20
Astrophotography action photo! This is my equipment soaking up those far away photons. I am using the SVBony SV503 ED refractor and a SVBony SV555 50mm Petzval astrograph.I have also included my first light shot of the M31 done with the SV555.
#astronomy #astrophotography
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 20h
Way to pull it out of the muck! Nice photo!
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 23h
The Cosmic Question Mark is comprised of a large emission nebula NGC 7822 and the small "Dot" is the Little Rosette Nebula (SH2-170). This photo is an updated post from 2 spectral bands to 3 where ionized Sulfur are reds, Hydrogen are yellows and Oxygen are blues.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Cosmic Question Mark is comprised of a large emission nebula NGC 7822 and the small "Dot" is the Little Rosette Nebula (SH2-170). This photo is an updated post from 2 spectral bands to 3 where ionized Sulfur are reds, Hydrogen are yellows and Oxygen are blues. Equipment: SVBony SV555 Petzval astrograph ZWO AM3 mount ASKAR type C duo band filter set (Ha/Oiii,Sii/Oiii) ZWO ASI2600 mc pro color camera Mini PC running NINA and PHD2 for control and auto-guiding.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 3d
The Fossil Footprint Nebula (NGC 1491) located in the constellation Perseus at a distance of 10 Kly. This is a 6 hour SHO exposure rendered using the eye pleasing FORAXX palette where Ha are reds, Oiii are blues, and Sii are darker blues taken 10/03/25.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Fossil Footprint Nebula (NGC 1491) located in the constellation Perseus at a distance of 10 Kly. This is a 6 hour SHO exposure rendered using the eye pleasing FORAXX palette where Ha are reds, Oiii are blues, and Sii are darker blues taken 10/03/25. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii, Askar C1 duo band SO/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2
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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 5d
Thanks Diego. I was guessing that narrow band can penetrate the dust and atmospherics with less scatter than wide band so I gave it a shot. It looks like it paid off.
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Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 5d
The Hidden Galaxy (IC 342, Caldwell 5) lies on the other side of the Milky Way near the galactic plane behind dense interstellar dust clouds. This photo is a narrow band Ha/Oiii image rendered using the HOO palette to show regions of nebulosity within the galaxy.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Hidden Galaxy (IC 342) lies on the other side of the Milky Way near the galactic plane behind dense interstellar dust clouds. This photo is a narrow band Ha/Oiii image rendered using the HOO palette to show regions of nebulosity within the galaxy. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 7d
The Flying Dragon Nebula (Sh2-114) is an extremely faint filament structured HII region located in Cygnus which resembles a dragon in flight. This photo is a 12 hour exposure taken over 4 nights in late September 2025 using a Ha/Oiii narrow band filter.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Flying Dragon Nebula (Sh2-114) is an extremely faint filament structured HII region located in Cygnus which resembles a dragon in flight. This photo is a 12 hour exposure taken over 4 nights in late September 2025 using a Ha/Oiii narrow band filter. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: Askar C1 Ha/Oiii
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 10d
The Cave Nebula (SH2-155, Caldwell 9) is a diffuse emission nebula with reflection and dark regions located in Cepheus. It is a 10.5 hour exposure taken over 2 nights, finished 09/28, and is rendered as a SHO image, Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues).

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Cave Nebula (SH2-155, Caldwell 9) is a diffuse emission nebula with reflection and dark areas located in Cepheus. It is a 10.5 hour exposure taken over 2 nights, finished 09/28, and is rendered as a Hubble palette SHO image, Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues). Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii, Askar C1 duo band SO/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 13d
The Iris (NGC 7023) and Ghost (SH2-136) nebulae in the Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud Complex. Both reflection nebulae are relatively close to each other and are about 1200 to 1300 ly distant from Earth.

Exposure: 3 hours , Skies: moonless Bortle 3
09/26/25

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Iris (NGC 7023) and Ghost (SH2-136) nebulae in the Cepheus Flare Molecular Cloud Complex. Both reflection nebulae are relatively close to each other and are about 1200 to 1300 ly distant from Earth. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: SVBony UV/IR cut
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 16d
The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus, was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This SHO image uses the Hubble palette which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues).

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) in Cepheus, was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. This photo is an update of my earlier post from 2 spectral bands to 3. This SHO image uses the Hubble palette which renders ionized Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues). Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii, Askar C1 duo band SO/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 20d
LoL!
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 20d
From what I read articles say near miss or they merge.Wikipedia states it has 50/50 chance of doing either. So at this point no one is wrong.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 20d
Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is 2.5 Mly distant. M31 is larger than the Milky Way and is heading right for us at ~ 120 km/sec impacting in ~4.5 billion years. This is a wide field (3.4 x 5.3 deg) HaRGB photo taken with a my SVBony SV555 astrograph.

Skies: Bortle 3-4
09/04/25

#astronomy #astrophotography
Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is 2.5 Mly distant. M31 is larger than the Milky Way and is heading right for us at ~ 120 km/sec impacting in 4.5 billion years. This is a wide field (3.2 x 5.3 deg) HaRGB photo taken with a my SVBony SV555 astrograph Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut, ASKAR C1 duo band Ha/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 24d
The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula ~ 4900 ly distant in the constellation Cygnus. Included in the photo are the Crescent(NGC 6888) and Butterfly nebulae. This is my 2nd run this year at this region using a Ha (reds) + Oiii (blues) nb filter.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318) is a diffuse emission nebula ~ 4900 ly distant in the constellation Cygnus. Included in the photo is the Crescent (NGC 6888) and Butterfly nebulae. This is my 2nd run at this region this year using a Ha (reds) - Oiii (blues) duo band filter. Telescope: SVBony SV555 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ASKAR Colormagic duo band Ha/Oiii Total Exposure: 3 hours Camera frame time: 3 min Camera CCD temp: -12 C Skies: Bortle 3-4 Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 26d
Lost opportunity! Usually, it's the opposite for me. The weather reports are clear, but I can't see a damn thing.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · 26d
Wolf's Cave (B 175, C 201, vdB 152), Dark Shark (LDN 1235) , and Rotten Fish (LDN 1251) are dark and reflection nebulae located in the Cepheus molecular cloud region. They are ~ 650 to 1400 light years from Earth. This is a 2 panel mosaic photo, 5hrs exposure per panel.

#astronomy #astrophotography
Wolf's Cave (B 175, C 201, vdB 152), Dark Shark (LDN 1235) , and Rotten Fish (LDN 1251) dark and reflection nebulae located in the Cepheus molecular cloud region. They are ~ 650 to 1400 light years from Earth. This is a 2 panel mosaic photo, 5hrs exposure per panel. Equipment: Telescope: SVBONY SV555 Petzval astrograph Camera: ZWO ASI2600 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM3 Controller: Mini PC, NINA, PHD2 Filter: UV/IR cut
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 14
Thank you.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 13
The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in Cassiopeia. Is an emission nebula in which the intense central star has sculpted the local stellar medium. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in Cassiopeia. Is an emission nebula in which the intense central star has sculpted the local stellar medium. This is a SHO narrow band image showing the distribution of Sulfur(reds), Hydrogen(yellows) and Oxygen (blues) within the nebula. Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 Controller: Mini PC running NINA, Phd2, Stellarium Filters: ZWO duo band Ha/Oiii and Askar C1 duo band Sii/Oiii Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert, and Affintiy Photo 2.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 10
Nice, a bit higher resolution than my photo. I hope it turns out well.
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 10
Terrific effort!
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 10
Equipment:
Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed
Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro
Mount: ZWO AM5
FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 10
The Deer Lick Galaxy Group and Supernova SN 2025rbs which is located in the large galaxy NGC 7331. The supernova was discovered July 14th and I photographed it September 3rd. SN 2025rbs had decreased in brightness by somewhat by this time but is still visible.
exp: 5 hrs
#astronomy #astrophotography
The Deer Lick Galaxy Group and Supernova SN 2025rbs which is located in the large galaxy NGC 7331. The supernova was discovered July 14th and I photographed it September 3rd . SN 2025rbs had decreased in brightness by somewhat by this time but is still visible. Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 10
So says Douglas Adams!
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 9
Thanks!
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 9
Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92) is a compact group of interacting galaxies in Pegasus (~ 290 Mly distant). It is a chaotic grouping with tidal tails and shock waves. Four of the galaxies are interacting while one of them is much closer.

Taken 09/03/25
Exposure: 5 hours
#astronomy #astrophotography
Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92) is a compact group of interacting galaxies in Pegasus (~ 290 million light years distant). It is a chaotic grouping with tidal tails and shock waves. Four of the galaxies are interacting while the one of them is much closer. Photo taken 09/03/25 Exposure: 5 hours Moon: none Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: SVbony UV/IR cut Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2
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waltwatsonastro.bsky.social
Walt Watson Astrophotography @waltwatsonastro.bsky.social · Sep 6
The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula ionized by young energetic stars within. It is close to the black hole Cygnus X-1 which creates a visible bow shock seen at the upper right of the nebula. This was 5 hour exposure on a moonless night, 08/22/25.

#astronomy #astrophotography
The Tulip Nebula (SH2-101) is an emission nebula ionized by young energetic stars within. It is close to the black hole Cygnus X-1 which creates a visible bow shock seen at the upper right of the nebula. This was 5 hour exposure on a moonless night clear sky night. Taken 08/22/25 Equipment: Telescope: SVBony SV503 102ed Camera: ZWO ASI533 mc pro Mount: ZWO AM5 FIlter: ZWO Ha/Oiii duo band Processed in SIRIL, Graxpert and Affinity Photo 2
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