Gwen Forrester (starhag)
@gwenforr.bsky.social
Artist, guitar builder, stargazer, housewife. genderless witch in a trans woman’s body.
More like one now I think.
For perspective, this is Jupiter with Ganymede, its largest moon, which is about 42% of the diameter of Earth. The red spot is obviously foreshortened a bit here, but still gives a fair sense of scale.
For perspective, this is Jupiter with Ganymede, its largest moon, which is about 42% of the diameter of Earth. The red spot is obviously foreshortened a bit here, but still gives a fair sense of scale.
December 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
More like one now I think.
For perspective, this is Jupiter with Ganymede, its largest moon, which is about 42% of the diameter of Earth. The red spot is obviously foreshortened a bit here, but still gives a fair sense of scale.
For perspective, this is Jupiter with Ganymede, its largest moon, which is about 42% of the diameter of Earth. The red spot is obviously foreshortened a bit here, but still gives a fair sense of scale.
Jupiter, early Monday morning.
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow, ZWO ASI224mc
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow, ZWO ASI224mc
November 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Jupiter, early Monday morning.
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow, ZWO ASI224mc
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow, ZWO ASI224mc
Yes, a lot of people do composite images for this. It is probably possible to do it in one go, but only with considerably more aperture.
Interestingly, Neptune and Triton are easier, as the difference in brightness is not as great. Neptune is dimmer than Uranus, but Triton is brighter than Titania
Interestingly, Neptune and Triton are easier, as the difference in brightness is not as great. Neptune is dimmer than Uranus, but Triton is brighter than Titania
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Yes, a lot of people do composite images for this. It is probably possible to do it in one go, but only with considerably more aperture.
Interestingly, Neptune and Triton are easier, as the difference in brightness is not as great. Neptune is dimmer than Uranus, but Triton is brighter than Titania
Interestingly, Neptune and Triton are easier, as the difference in brightness is not as great. Neptune is dimmer than Uranus, but Triton is brighter than Titania
Thanks, this is with an 8” f/6 Newtonian with 3x Barlow, and ZWO ASI224mc planetary cam, stacked from best frames of video capture.
Here’s Uranus properly exposed:
Here’s Uranus properly exposed:
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Thanks, this is with an 8” f/6 Newtonian with 3x Barlow, and ZWO ASI224mc planetary cam, stacked from best frames of video capture.
Here’s Uranus properly exposed:
Here’s Uranus properly exposed:
I managed to get four the other night (fifth object is a background star)
November 26, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I managed to get four the other night (fifth object is a background star)
The two stars just west of it, 13 and 14 Tauri, make it pretty easy to locate just south of the Pleiades
November 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The two stars just west of it, 13 and 14 Tauri, make it pretty easy to locate just south of the Pleiades
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Messier 74, the Phantom #Galaxy. 100 billion stars, 85,000 light years across, 32 million light years away. A large portion of our own galaxy is between it and us, so there is a lot of dust in the way, making difficult to see, hence the name.
8” f/6 Newt. Canon t3i
240x 60 seconds
#astrophotography
8” f/6 Newt. Canon t3i
240x 60 seconds
#astrophotography
November 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Messier 74, the Phantom #Galaxy. 100 billion stars, 85,000 light years across, 32 million light years away. A large portion of our own galaxy is between it and us, so there is a lot of dust in the way, making difficult to see, hence the name.
8” f/6 Newt. Canon t3i
240x 60 seconds
#astrophotography
8” f/6 Newt. Canon t3i
240x 60 seconds
#astrophotography
Messier 33, the Triangulum #Galaxy
6” f/4 Newtonian, homemade EQ mount, ra drive only, no guiding.
Canon t3i (modified)
50x 120 seconds
#astrophotography #space
6” f/4 Newtonian, homemade EQ mount, ra drive only, no guiding.
Canon t3i (modified)
50x 120 seconds
#astrophotography #space
November 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Messier 33, the Triangulum #Galaxy
6” f/4 Newtonian, homemade EQ mount, ra drive only, no guiding.
Canon t3i (modified)
50x 120 seconds
#astrophotography #space
6” f/4 Newtonian, homemade EQ mount, ra drive only, no guiding.
Canon t3i (modified)
50x 120 seconds
#astrophotography #space
Messier 2, globular clusters.
One of the largest, at 175,000 light years across, but at 55,000 light years distance, it appears considerably smaller than many others.
One of the largest, at 175,000 light years across, but at 55,000 light years distance, it appears considerably smaller than many others.
October 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Messier 2, globular clusters.
One of the largest, at 175,000 light years across, but at 55,000 light years distance, it appears considerably smaller than many others.
One of the largest, at 175,000 light years across, but at 55,000 light years distance, it appears considerably smaller than many others.
Drop something skeletal
October 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Drop something skeletal
Jupiter with two of its moons and their shadows.
Left-right: Europa, Io, Io’s shadow, Europa’s shadow.
Left-right: Europa, Io, Io’s shadow, Europa’s shadow.
October 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Jupiter with two of its moons and their shadows.
Left-right: Europa, Io, Io’s shadow, Europa’s shadow.
Left-right: Europa, Io, Io’s shadow, Europa’s shadow.
Last Titan shadow transit until 2038. Titan will continue to transit every 16 days through January, but its shadow will miss the planet. In this image, it is at the very top edge, with Titan below and to the right.
I was actually able to see Titan this time. Last time I could only see the shadow.
I was actually able to see Titan this time. Last time I could only see the shadow.
October 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Last Titan shadow transit until 2038. Titan will continue to transit every 16 days through January, but its shadow will miss the planet. In this image, it is at the very top edge, with Titan below and to the right.
I was actually able to see Titan this time. Last time I could only see the shadow.
I was actually able to see Titan this time. Last time I could only see the shadow.
Yes, I just find a stick and hold it relatively level in front of the scope and try to replicate the angle I see in the secondary mirror. Not super precise but I figure I can tweak the levers accordingly. Also, it will be different in half an hour anyway, lol.
This is one of my better recent tries
This is one of my better recent tries
October 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Yes, I just find a stick and hold it relatively level in front of the scope and try to replicate the angle I see in the secondary mirror. Not super precise but I figure I can tweak the levers accordingly. Also, it will be different in half an hour anyway, lol.
This is one of my better recent tries
This is one of my better recent tries
It’s actually kinda pretty with some magnification
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
It’s actually kinda pretty with some magnification
From Friday night, with Triton
September 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
From Friday night, with Triton
Neptune and Triton,
September 20
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow,
ZWO ASI224MC
September 20
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow,
ZWO ASI224MC
September 22, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Neptune and Triton,
September 20
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow,
ZWO ASI224MC
September 20
8” f/6 Newtonian, 3x Barlow,
ZWO ASI224MC
Transit of Titan and its shadow across the northern polar region of Saturn.
September 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Transit of Titan and its shadow across the northern polar region of Saturn.
My favorite, M22.
Is it weird to have a favorite globular cluster?
Is it weird to have a favorite globular cluster?
August 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
My favorite, M22.
Is it weird to have a favorite globular cluster?
Is it weird to have a favorite globular cluster?
So this line right here is the shadow of the rings at the equator
August 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
So this line right here is the shadow of the rings at the equator
Mark your calendars!
Save the date!
August 31rd will be the super ultra rare BEIGE MOON!!
A beige moon is the second first quarter moon of a month beginning with the letter A; a very auspicious event, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the last time it occurred!
Save the date!
August 31rd will be the super ultra rare BEIGE MOON!!
A beige moon is the second first quarter moon of a month beginning with the letter A; a very auspicious event, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the last time it occurred!
August 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Mark your calendars!
Save the date!
August 31rd will be the super ultra rare BEIGE MOON!!
A beige moon is the second first quarter moon of a month beginning with the letter A; a very auspicious event, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the last time it occurred!
Save the date!
August 31rd will be the super ultra rare BEIGE MOON!!
A beige moon is the second first quarter moon of a month beginning with the letter A; a very auspicious event, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the last time it occurred!
Saturn last night or early this morning depending on what you call 3am.
August 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Saturn last night or early this morning depending on what you call 3am.