Introduction Over several nights, I set out to revisit two old friends—Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82). I’ve imaged them before, but this time I wanted to do something different. Instead of framing them alone, I expanded the mosaic field of view to include NGC 2976, NGC 2959, and NGC 2961—smaller, fainter galaxies […]
Read More Exploring Bode’s Galaxy and Cosmic NeighborsLast night, I photographed Napoleon’s Hat asterism and Arcturus using my Vespera telescope. The next Morning there was an old article about Arcturus in my news feed, which felt oddly connected. It’s all about noticing those cosmic coincidences, whether they’re real or just our minds seeing patterns.
Read More When the Stars Align: A Cosmic Coincidence—or Something Deeper?Sometimes, when I capture deep-sky objects, I can’t help but imagine what they might look like to someone who has never seen them before. Recently, I photographed two fascinating targets: M108 and M97. To me, they looked more like an alien and a saucer than their traditional names—the Surfboard Galaxy and the Owl Nebula. So, […]
Read More The Alien and the Saucer: M108 and M97I express gratitude for support during a health scare related to prostate cancer. After negative MRI results, he reflects on the journey of uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of monitoring health and trusting loved ones. Key lessons include the need for perspective, proactive health management, and maintaining a balanced mindset amid fear and anxiety.
Read More Navigating the Unknown: Health, Risk, and the Hidden GalaxyI share my personal journey through a cancer scare, likening the MRI experience to the Rosette Nebula. Grappling with fear, they employ cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, visualization, and meditation to navigate uncertainty. By envisioning future moments with loved ones, they find grounding and hope amid anxiety. Ultimately, they emphasize the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of balancing fear with curiosity.
Read More Staring Into The AbyssRecently, I embarked on a multi-night capture of NGC 147 and NGC 185 with my Vaonis Vespera 1 telescope. This project spanned several weeks and amounted to 24 hours of total acquisition time, with 8,760 subs (individual photos) captured over 17 nights from November to December 2024, each 10 seconds long. After reading a recent […]
Read More Pushing the Limits: A Multi-Night Capture of NGC 147 and NGC 185Bret recounts a personal journey in astrophotography after mistakenly believing they captured an eclipse on Neptune with their telescope. Through initial excitement and subsequent reality checks, they learned the importance of understanding equipment limits, data analysis, and community engagement, ultimately finding value in the learning process and shared experiences.
Read More The Mystery of the Shadow on Neptune… SolvedOn December 1st, I celebrated 20 years with my wife, Stephanie, by capturing the night sky. Despite broken clouds, I experimented with imaging Neptune. I recorded over 1,000 images, revealing a potential shadow transit of one of Neptune’s moons. This experience taught me to embrace challenges and seize opportunities.
Read More Exploring Neptune: A Journey Through Cloudy SkiesLet me be honest: I’m not a fan of camping. I know some of you are probably shaking your heads, imagining the crackling campfires, the fresh air, and the freedom of the great outdoors. But for me, camping has always meant uncomfortable nights on a barely inflated air mattress, dealing with ticks, mosquitoes, and the […]
Read More Finding Joy in Camping: Astrophotography AdventuresReflecting on My 51st Birthday: A Year of Challenges and Discoveries As I celebrate my 51st birthday, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love and well wishes from family, friends, and even those I connect with on social media. Your messages touched my heart and made this day even more special. […]
Read More 51 trips around the sun